1957: The “Chirping’”Crickets, the debut album by Buddy Holly and the Crickets was released on the Brunswick Records label in the US.

1961: The Beach Boys’ first single, “Surfin’” backed with “Luau,” was released on the independent California label Candix Records. Brian Wilson recalled his brother, Dennis, coming home from the beach and saying, “Hey, surfing’s getting really big. You guys ought to write a song about it.”

1962: The Beatles had their first radio session, recording “Love Me Do,” “P.S. I Love You” and “Twist And Shout” at the BBC Paris Studio in London for The Talent Spot program.

1964: Less than a week after it was released in the US, “I Feel Fine” by the Beatles and its B-side, “She’s a Woman,” were issued in the UK as the band’s eighth single.

1965: Marvin Gaye had his second #1 on the Billboard R&B chart with “Ain’t That Peculiar.”

1965: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass started eight non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard pop chart with their fourth album and first #1 LP, Whipped Cream & Other Delights.

1967: The Beatles’ single “Hello, Goodbye” backed with “I am the Walrus” was released in the US. On the same day, the first promo for the single premiered on The Ed Sullivan Show, featuring the band in their Sgt. Pepper outfits and accompanied by hula dancers. Paul McCartney later said that “Hello, Goodbye” originated when, in response to a question from Beatles aide Alistair Taylor about songwriting, McCartney sat down at a harmonium and asked Taylor to say the opposite of whatever he said.

1967: Capitol Records released the soundtrack album to the Beatles’ film Magical Mystery Tour in the US. The LP included the double EP of the same name that was released in the UK in December along with five tracks from previously released singles.

1967: The Temptations released their sixth studio album, The Temptations in a Mellow Mood. The album was part of Motown chief Berry Gordy’s plans for the group to attract a white fanbase, which was largely successful.

1967: Stevie Wonder released his eighth studio album and first Christmas album, Someday at Christmas.

1968: Wilson Pickett recorded “Hey Jude” at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. He was accompanied by Duane Allman on guitar, who had recommended the song to Pickett. Recorded in a single take, Pickett’s rendition of the Paul McCartney song became his eleventh top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #23, peaked at #13 on the R&B chart, and was his second of two top 20 singles in the UK, where it reached #16. Eric Clapton has said that Allman’s performance is the best rock guitar playing on an R&B record and Jimmy Johnson of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section credited Allman’s solo with creating Southern Rock.

1969: The Rolling Stones opened the first of three shows at Madison Square Garden. Portions of the recordings from all three shows were later issued on the Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out album.

1970: George Harrison’s breakthrough solo triple album All Things Must Pass was released in the US. His third solo album and the first since the breakup of the Beatles earlier that year, it includes hit singles “My Sweet Lord” and “What Is Life” as well as songs such as “Isn’t It a Pity” and the album’s title track, which had been turned down for inclusion on releases by the Beatles. Early in 1971, the album went to #1 in both the US and UK.

1970: Spirit released their fourth studio album, Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. Produced by Neil Young collaborator David Briggs, it was the band’s lowest charting album to that point, but sold well enough to become their only album to earn gold certification from the RIAA.

1970: The Kinks released their eighth studio album, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One. A concept album, it is a satirical appraisal of the music industry, including song publishers, unions, the press, accountants, business managers, and life on the road.

1970: British progressive rock group Gentle Giant released their eponymous debut LP.

1972: Frank Zappa and The Mothers released The Grand Wazoo, an album written and recorded in Hollywood during Zappa’s period of convalescence after being assaulted at a concert in London in December 1971.

1971: “American Pie” by Don McLean entered the Billboard Hot 100. It eventually became his first hit record and only #1 on the chart.

1974: America released “Lonely People,” the second single from their fourth studio album, Holiday. It later became the group’s fifth top 10 hit, reaching #5.

1976: The Jacksons released The Jackons, their eleventh studio album and first for CBS under the name “the Jacksons” following their seven-year tenure at Motown Records as “the Jackson 5.” Member Jermaine Jackson stayed with Motown and was replaced by younger brother Randy.

1978: The Eagles released their cover of the Charles Brown song “Please Come Home for Christmas.” It was the first song by the group to feature Timothy B. Schmit on bass and peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first Christmas song to reach the top 20 since “Pretty Paper” by Roy Orbison in 1963.

1979: The Eagles released the second single and title track from their sixth studio album, The Long Run.

1981: British synth-pop duo Soft Cell released their debut album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.

1981: The Human League released “Don’t You Want Me,” the fourth single from their third studio album, Dare. The group’s most commercially successful song, it became their only #1 on the UK chart and first of two singles to top the US charts.

1989: UB40 released Labour of Love II, their ninth studio album and second covers LP.

1994: The Go-Go’s released “The Whole World Lost Its Head,” the first single and one of three new songs from their second compilation album, Return to the Valley of The Go-Go’s. The song became the group’s first top 40 hit in Britain.

Birthdays Today

Al Jackson Jr., drummer, producer, songwriter, and founding member of Booker T. and M.G.’s, who was dubbed “The Human Timekeeper” for his drumming ability, was born in Memphis, TN in 1935.

Jimi Hendrix, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and one of the most influential guitarists and musicians of the 20th century, was born Johnny Allen Hendrix in Seattle, WA in 1942.

Trevor Ward-Davies, singer and bassist known as “Dozy” from British group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, was born in Enford, Wiltshire, England in 1944.

Randy Brecker, flugelhornist, trumpet player, and original member of Blood, Sweat & Tears, who’s worked with many other artists including Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reeds, Frank Zappa, Dire Straits, Todd Rundgren, Richard Barone, and Parliament-Funkadelic, was born in Cheltenham, PA in 1945.

Dave Winthrop, sax and flute player for Supertramp, was born in Camden, NJ in 1948.

Kevin Kavanaugh, keyboardist and vocalist with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, was born in West Orange, NJ in 1951.

Lyle Mays, jazz pianist, composer, and founding member of the Pat Metheny Group, was born in Wausaukee, WI in 1953.

Charlie Burchill, guitarist and founding member of Simple Minds, was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1959.

Fiachna Ó Braonáin, guitarist and vocalist for Hothouse Flowers, was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1965.

Anthony D’Amato, singer-songwriter, was born in Blairstown, NJ in 1987.