Pick a Day

Music History Events: Recordings

July 5, 1954 Elvis Presley makes his first professional recording, putting down "That's All Right" at Sun Studio in Memphis.

April 12, 1954 At his first session for Decca Records, Bill Haley records "Rock Around The Clock" and "Thirteen Women" (a post-nuclear song that was originally the A-side of the single).

March 15, 1954 The Chords record "Sh-Boom."

February 15, 1954 Big Joe Turner records one of the first rock songs, "Shake, Rattle And Roll," at Atlantic Records studios in New York.

February 4, 1954 The Drifters record "Bells Of Saint Mary's," "White Christmas," "Honey Love," and "What'cha Gonna Do."

January 7, 1954 Muddy Waters records "Hoochie Coochie Man" at Chess Records in Chicago. It becomes a blues standard, with a feral energy that influences a new sound that's emerging: rock and roll.

January 4, 1954 A young truck driver named Elvis Presley pays to record two songs at the Memphis Recording Service. It's his second visit, and this time MRS head Sam Phillips gets his number and later calls him to record for his Sun label.

December 9, 1953 Frank Sinatra records "Young At Heart."

September 23, 1953 The Spaniels record "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight."

August 12, 1953 The Four Lads record "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)."

July 18, 1953 18-year-old Elvis Presley, a truck driver by trade, stops into Memphis Recording Service (later renamed Sun Studios), and pays $3.98 to record two songs: "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin."

May 17, 1953 During a recording session at Atlantic Records studios in New York, Ray Charles learns that his mother has died. He continues on with the session, recording the song "Sinner's Prayer."

September 17, 1952 Frank Sinatra does his last recording session for Columbia Records. His next musical move is signing to Capitol Records, where he teams up with arranger Nelson Riddle and revives his career with swinging hits like "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Witchcraft."

August 13, 1952 Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton records the original version of "Hound Dog," later popularized by Elvis Presley.

May 3, 1952 Kitty Wells records "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels."

October 16, 1951 Johnnie Ray records "Cry."

October 16, 1951 Little Richard records for the first time, laying down tracks at the Atlanta radio station WGST. Four singles from the session are released the next year.

May 14, 1951 Howlin' Wolf records "Moanin' At Midnight."

March 5, 1951 Rock guitar distortion is invented when Willie Kizart plays "Rocket 88" using an amp that was damaged when it fell out of the van transporting him and the other members of Ike Turner's band to their recording session in Memphis.

August 18, 1949 Ralph Flanagan records "You're Breaking My Heart" with vocalist Harry Prime.

August 29, 1946 Ella Fitzgerald records "It's A Pity To Say Goodnight."

October 3, 1945 Stan Kenton records "Painted Rhythm."

December 6, 1944 The Count Basie Orchestra records "Red Bank Boogie."

November 21, 1944 Harry James records "I'm Beginning To See The Light."

April 20, 1944 Judy Garland records "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

November 30, 1943 The Nat King Cole Trio records "Straighten Up and Fly Right."

November 19, 1943 Stan Kenton and His Orchestra record "Artistry in Rhythm."

October 25, 1943 Benny Carter records "Poinciana."

August 1, 1942 Jimmy Dorsey records "Charleston Alley."

July 31, 1942 Harry James records "I've Heard That Song Before."