Category: On This Day…

January 1, 1956 – Bill Haley’s ‘Rock Around the Clock’ went to No.1 on the UK singles chart for the second time. The single is often cited as the biggest-selling vinyl rock and roll single of all time with sales over 25m. #ROCkabillyHop @billhaleymusic #BillHaley
https://amzn.to/3Hr58qf

December 31, 1961 – The Pendletons perform their first gig under their new name, the Beach Boys, on the bill with Ike & Tina Turner at the Ritchie Valens Memorial Concert at the Long Beach Civic Auditorium, California. They earn $300 for their efforts. #ROCkabillyHop #RitchieValens
https://amzn.to/3F5jsDH

December 29, 1951 – Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads’ “Cry” hit # 1 and wailed there for 11 tearful weeks. Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor to what would become rock and roll, for his jazz and blues-influenced music and his animated stage personality. #ROCkabillyHop #JohnnieRay
https://amzn.to/3p0l5gt

December 28, 2000 – Waylon Jennings kicks off a three-day estate sale at his Dixon, Ill., home after the country star decides to move to Arizona. Among the goods on sale are a customized black Cadillac, knives and guns from his personal collection and a motorcycle that used to belong to Buddy Holly. The motorcycle was later auctioned at Guernsey’s Auctioneers and ended up on permanent loan to the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas. @buddyholly @BuddyHollyCtr #ROCkabillyHop #buddyholly @OfficialWaylon #TheCrickets
https://amzn.to/3fBlHmu

December 28, 1932 – Dorsey Burnette, Bassist for his brother Johnny’s group the Johnny Burnette Trio, is born in Memphis. He went on to write songs for performers like Rick Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis and Waylon Jennings. He’s also the father of country star Billy Burnette. #ROCkabillyHop #DorseyBurnette #HappyBirthday
https://amzn.to/3l7YSry

December 27, 1958 – While at KLLL radio station in Lubbock, Buddy Holly is prompted by a bet to write a song in less than 30 minutes. Holly composes “You’re The One,” which is recorded on the station’s acetate machine. Buddy sings and plays guitar, while Waylon Jennings and Ray “Slim” Corbin, the station’s deejays, provide percussion with hand-claps. Source: The Buddy Holly Center, 1801 Crickets Ave., Lubbock. @buddyholly @BuddyHollyCtr #ROCkabillyHop @OfficialWaylon #buddyholly #TheCrickets
https://amzn.to/2V2Q388

December 27, 1958 – Ritchie Valens returned to Philadelphia for his second appearance on American Bandstand, this time performing “Donna”. #ROCkabillyHop #RitchieValens #Donna @dickclarkprod #DickClark #AmericanBandstand
https://amzn.to/2V16gL1

December 27, 1931 – Scotty Moore was born Winfield Scott Moore III in Gadsden, TN. A guitarist and recording engineer, He is best known for his backing of Elvis Presley in the first part of his career, from 1954 into his Hollywood years. #ROCkabillyHop @ElvisPresley #Elvis #theKing #ScottyMoore #HappyBirthday
https://amzn.to/39gkAaH

December 24, 1960 – The Philadelphia Orphan’s Court tells hit-maker Chubby Checker that his allowance will be raised from $150 to $200. Checker, only 19, is still a ward of the court, despite having a huge hit with “The Twist.” #ROCkabillyHop @chubby_checker #twist #ChubbyChecker
https://amzn.to/3yxixti

December 23, 1960 – Elvis finishes filming “Wild In The Country” where he plays a troubled young man who overcomes his adversities to go to college to become a writer. This was Elvis’ last dramatic lead role until “Charro!,” and featured ONLY three songs by Elvis. #ROCkabillyHop @ElvisPresley #Elvis #theKing #WildInTheCountry
https://amzn.to/3meAYxY