Day: April 16, 2023

April 16, 1958 – Dion and the Belmonts perform “I Wonder Why” on “American Bandstand.” “I Wonder Why” was released as Laurie Records’ first single, and was the group’s first national pop chart hit, in 1958. The song topped out at #22 on the Hot 100. #ROCkabillyHop #RocHop @dickclarkprod #DickClark #AmericanBandstand #DionAndTheBelmonts #IWonderWhy @OfficialDion #OTD #RockNRoll
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April 16, 1956 – Buddy Holly’s first single “Blue Days, Black Nights,” was released. The track was later featured on “That’ll Be The Day” the third album from Buddy Holly. Decca, Holly’s first major record label, after failing to produce a hit single from Holly’s early recordings, packaged these 1956 tunes after he had some success with recordings from the Brunswick and Coral labels. @buddyholly @BuddyHollyCtr #ROCkabillyHop #buddyholly #TheCrickets #BlueDaysBlackNights #ThatllBeTheDay #OTD #RockNRoll
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April 16, 1924 – Rudy Pompilli was born “Rudolph Clement Pompilii” in Chester, Pennsylvania. Pompilli played saxophone with Bill Haley and his Comets from 1955 through 1975. He would become the band’s road manager, taking care of paying the bills and arranging for the hiring of new musicians when required. A non-smoker, Pompilli died on February 5th, 1976, from lung cancer due to secondhand smoke. #ROCkabillyHop @billhaleymusic #BillHaley #HappyBirthday #RudyPompilli #RocHop #OTD #RockNRoll
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