1966: The final episode of The Donna Reed Show airs on ABC-TV. The episode features Lesley Gore, playing a pop singer named Lesley Gore.

1965: One of the most famous arrests in the history of rock and roll took place on this day when the Rolling Stones are busted for urinating on the side of a gas station.

The arrest cements their reputation as rock’s “bad boys” and makes them definitely the #1 alternative to the far better-behaved Beatles.

Today, many people believe the whole stunt was conceived by the Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham purely as a publicity stunt.

1957: Elvis Presley closes a huge real estate deal on this day when he purchases the Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. He paid $102,500 for the 13-acre estate.

The land was originally purchased by Stephen Toof, owner of a successful printing firm, in the late 19^th Century. Toof named the grounds Graceland Farms, after his daughter Grace. The mansion was built in 1939 by Grace’s niece, Ruth Moore and her husband, Dr. Thomas Moore.

Today, it is an Elvis museum that draws more than 600,000 visitors a year, second only to the White House.

1967: Pink Floyd arrives at the Abbey Road studios in London to record their debut album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Happy Birthday to:

1941: Mike Love (Beach Boys)

1942: Jerry Jeff Walker

1944: Sly Stone

1958: The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) awards its very first gold record for sales of one million copies.

The first gold record goes to hardcore grunge rocker Perry Como for his recording of “Catch a Falling Star.”

1965: Disgusted with the more pop/less blues direction the Yardbirds decide to take, guitarist Eric Clapton quits the band.

Wonder whatever became of him?

1969: Paul McCartney marries his girlfriend, Linda Eastman, twice. They get hitched first at the register office in Marylebone, London and again shortly thereafter at the Anglican Church in St. John’s Wood. No other members of the Beatles are in attendance.

George Harrison, at least, had a valid reason. That same day, he and his wife, Pattie Boyd Harrison, are busted for marijuana at their home in Surrey.

1969: A family vocal group from Gary, Indiana signs with Motown Records on this day. The Jackson 5 will soon leave a large mark on pop music history.

BTW the group was brought to the attention of Motown head honcho, Barry Gordy, by Gladys Knight. Somehow, by the time the group’s debut album hit the record bins, Diana Ross was listed on the cover as their “Presenter.”

1979: This is definitely one for the record books.

The Godfather of Soul, James Brown makes a guest appearance at the shrine of country music, The Grand Ol’ Opry. Invited there by his personal friend, Porter Wagoner, Brown does perform “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” but also surprises the crowd with straightforward country renditions of “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “The Tennessee Waltz.”