This Day in Music
In 1956, Little Richard recorded “Good Golly, Miss Molly” at New Orleans’ J&M Studio. Released in January 1958 on Specialty, and featured on Richard’s sophomore album, Here’s Little Richard, the song was written by John Marascalco and producer Robert “Bumps” Blackwell. While the high-energy tune was initially recorded by Richard, Blackwell also gave the song to a group called The Valiants, who released the track in 1957. With his over-the-top vocals and charismatic performance, however, Richard made the song a rock’n’roll standard. It would later be covered by such artists as Jerry Lee Lewis, Credence Clearwater Revival, and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, among others.
In 1955, Buddy Holly had his big break, opening for Elvis Presley at the Cotton Club’s “Big D Jamboree” in Lubbock, Texas. The Nashville-based talent scout, Eddie Crandall, was in the audience and was blown away by the artist. After the show, he invited Holly to record some demos for Decca Records.
In 1960, The Beatles (minus Pete Best) and Rory Storm’s Hurricanes (which included drummer Ringo Starr) entered a Hamburg recording studio to cut a version of the Gershwin classic “Summertime.” The song, which was cut onto a 78-rpm single, marked the first session attended by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo.
In 2006, The Sugababes were named the most successful UK all-female act of the 21st century, beating out the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears with 16 hits. Four years earlier, they busted records for becoming the youngest female group to top the UK pop chart with “Freak Like Me.”
In 1988, Bon Jovi began a four-week run at the top of the Billboard 200 with New Jersey. Their fourth studio album also produced five Top 10 singles, breaking the records for the most Top Ten hits from a single glam metal album.
In 1977, Debbie Boone began a record-breaking 10-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “You Light Up My Life.” At the time, it marked the longest stay at the top of the pop chart, breaking a record previously held by Guy Mitchell’s 1956 hit, “Singing the Blues.”
BORN ON OCTOBER 15
1984: Shayne Ward
1975: Ginuwine
1953: Tito Jackson (The Jackson 5)
1946: Richard Carpenter (The Carpenters)
1942: Don Stevenson (Moby Grape)
1917: Paul Tanner (Glenn Miller Orchestra, Electro-Theramin pioneer)
