Category: On This Day…

April 16, 1958 – Dion and the Belmonts

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

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

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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April 13, 1957 – Elvis Presley

April 13, 1957 – “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley hit #1 and stayed there for eight weeks. It also topped the Billboard R&B chart for four weeks, becoming Presley’s second single to do so, and peaked at #1 on the country chart as well. #ROCkabillyHop @ElvisPresley #Elvis #theKing #TCB #AllShookUp #RocHop #OTD #RockNRoll
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April 14, 1963 – Cliff Richard and the Shadows

April 14, 1963 – Cliff Richard and the Shadows made an appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” which had previously been taped in London. They perform “Bachelor Boy” and “Do You Wanna Dance?” #ROCkabillyHop #RocHop #EdSullivan @EdSullivanShow #BachelorBoy #DoYouWannaDance #CliffRichard @richard_cliffofficial #OTD #RockNRoll
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April 12, 1963 – Jimmy Soul

April 12, 1963 – Jimmy Soul sings “If You Wanna Be Happy” on “American Bandstand.” Based on the 1934 song “Ugly Woman” by Roaring Lion, it hit #1 on the Hot 100 on May 18, 1963, and nailed the #1 spot on the R&B singles chart as well. #ROCkabillyHop #RocHop @dickclarkprod #DickClark #AmericanBandstand #JimmySoul #IfYouWannaBeHappy #OTD #RockNRoll
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April 12, 1954 – Bill Haley

April 12, 1954 – Bill Haley recorded “Rock Around the Clock” at Pythian Temple studios in New York City. Considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map around the world. The song was used over the opening titles for the film “Blackboard Jungle,” and went on to be a worldwide #1 and the biggest-selling pop single with sales of over 25 million. Written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers, “Rock Around The Clock” was first recorded by the Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights. #ROCkabillyHop @billhaleymusic #BillHaley #RockAroundTheClock #RocHop #OTD #RockNRoll
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