Category: On This Day…

January 31, 1958 – Buddy Holly

January 31, 1958 – In Newcastle, Australia, Pat Barton, a local deejay, interviews Buddy. During the interview, Buddy denies that The Crickets, or any group, will fill Elvis Presley’s shoes while he is in the Army. Source: The Buddy Holly Center, 1801 Crickets Ave., Lubbock. @BuddyHolly @BuddyHollyCtr #ROCkabillyHop #BuddyHolly #TheCrickets #RocHop
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January 31, 1957 – Ritchie Valens

January 31, 1957 – Two airplanes collided over the playground of Ritchie Valens’ junior high school, killing or injuring several of his friends. This resulted in a fear of flying. Valens had been at his grandfather Frank Reyes’ funeral that day but was upset about the loss of his friends. #ROCkabillyHop #RitchieValens #RocHop
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January 30, 1959 – Ritchie Valens

January 30, 1959 – Ritchie Valens called home to talk to his Mom. She wasn’t there, so he talked to Bob about wanting Mom to join him. “You’re gonna have a helluva time trying to get Mom on a plane!” Bob replied. “What about you…we’re still brothers, right?” Ritchie asked. After a brief silence, Bob told him “I’m there, Brother.” #ROCkabillyHop #RitchieValens #WinterDanceParty #RocHop
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January 28, 1959 – The Winter Dance Party

January 28, 1959 – The Winter Dance Party tour plays the Prom Ballroom Prom Ballroom in St. Paul, Minnesota. The show was emcee’ed by WDGY DJ Bill Diehl. At the Prom was a crowd of 2,000 people, including a lot of screaming girls. @buddyholly @BuddyHollyCtr #ROCkabillyHop #buddyholly #TheCrickets #WinterDanceParty #RocHop

January 28, 1958 – Buddy Holly and The Crickets

January 28, 1958 – Buddy Holly & The Crickets travel from Hawaii to Sydney, Australia, for a six-day tour. Others on the tour include Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Anka and Jodie Sands. Variety runs an article about the Honolulu show under the headline: “Rock ‘n’ Roll Reaches Hawaii & Makes Good,” and describes “turn-away crowds.” @buddyholly @BuddyHollyCtr #ROCkabillyHop #buddyholly #TheCrickets #RocHop
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January 28, 1956 – Elvis Presley

January 28, 1956 – Elvis Presley (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black), made his first National Television appearance on the Dorsey brother’s “Stage Show.” It was the first of six appearances on the show and the first of eight performances recorded and broadcast from CBS TV in New York City. After the success of their first appearance, they were signed to five more in early 1956. Elvis earns $1250 per appearance. He performs “Shake Rattle and Roll,” “Flip, Flop and Fly” and “I Got a Woman,” leaving comedian and Stage Show producer Jackie Gleason to remark, “He can’t last. I tell you flatly, he can’t last.” #ROCkabillyHop @ElvisPresley #Elvis #theKing #RocHop
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