Pick a Day

Music History Events: TV Appearances

January 22, 1962 Gene Chandler makes his television debut with a performance on American Bandstand.

December 12, 1961 Mike Douglas begins his TV variety/talk show in Cleveland, Ohio.

November 20, 1961 Billboard reports on the stunning popularity of the "Twist" craze: Three separate films, starring Chubby Checker, Joey Dee and the Starlighters, and Dion, are scheduled for production, and New York television station WOR is airing hourly twist lessons of between one and five minutes, also featuring Checker.

October 22, 1961 Chubby Checker performs a medley of "The Twist" and "Let's Twist Again" on TV's Ed Sullivan Show, sparking chart revivals for both tunes ("The Twist" even returns to #1).

October 2, 1961 Ben Casey (with would-be singer Vince Everett) premieres on ABC-TV (running 5 seasons).

May 15, 1961 Brenda Lee guests on Make Room For Daddy on CBS-TV.

July 21, 1960 Brian Hyland appears as a guest on CBS' popular TV game show To Tell The Truth.

May 27, 1960 Frank Sinatra performs on the Star Spangled Revue special, hosted by Bob Hope.

May 12, 1960 On Frank Sinatra's TV variety show, it's the Welcome Home Elvis special to honor The King, who was recently discharged from the US Army. The famous singers perform a medley of "Love Me Tender" and "Witchcraft" together.

May 4, 1960 Bobby Rydell takes American Bandstand viewers on a tour of his Philadelphia home.

April 18, 1960 Bobby Rydell appears as "The Singing Delinquent" on an episode of the TV series Make Room For Daddy.

February 27, 1960 The Miracles make their first TV appearance when they perform on American Bandstand.

February 24, 1960 Carl Dobkins, Jr. performs in full military dress live from Ft. Dixon, Ohio, where he is serving in the national guard, on NBC-TV's Perry Como Show.

November 30, 1959 Bobby Darin is quoted by a UPI reporter saying he hopes "to surpass Sinatra in everything he's done."

April 24, 1959 After running on Saturday nights on radio for 24 years and TV for the last nine, the final installment of the musical countdown show Your Hit Parade airs on NBC. The final Top Five: Elvis Presley, "I Need Your Love Tonight" (#5), Brook Benton, "It's Just A Matter Of Time" (#4), Ricky Nelson, "Never Be Anyone Else But You" (#3), Dodie Stevens, "Pink Shoe Laces" (#2), and the Fleetwoods at #1 with "Come Softly To Me."

April 11, 1959 Paul Anka guests on host Frankie Avalon's first network radio program, on ABC.

March 20, 1959 Bobby Rydell makes his first TV appearance when he shows up on American Bandstand. He soon becomes a teen idol.

October 28, 1958 Buddy Holly makes what will be his last major television appearance, lip-synching "It's So Easy" and "Heartbeat" on American Bandstand.

October 19, 1958 Jan & Arnie appear on CBS-TV's Jack Benny Show.

September 13, 1958 Cliff Richard makes his TV debut, performing "Move It" on the UK show Oh Boy!

September 4, 1958 Jerry Butler & the Impressions make their national TV debut on American Bandstand.

March 18, 1958 Jerry Lee Lewis becomes the first artist to sing three songs on an episode of American Bandstand (and he sings, not lip-synchs them).

February 10, 1958 ABC's Mickey Mouse Club begins its "Annette" serial, solidifying the rising popularity of its young star, Annette Funicello.

November 22, 1957 Simon & Garfunkel make their first appearance on ABC-TV's dance show American Bandstand -- in their earlier incarnation as Tom and Jerry, playing their minor hit "Hey Little Schoolgirl."

November 17, 1957 Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps make their US television debut, performing "Lotta Loving" and "Dance to the Bop" on The Ed Sullivan Show.

November 3, 1957 CBS-TV's Ed Sullivan Show accidentally cuts off Sam Cooke mid-song when "You Send Me" isn't given enough time at the end of tonight's show. Sullivan invites the singer back the next month to make up for it.

October 13, 1957 The Four Preps, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby all appear on a CBS television special to introduce the brand new Edsel automobile.

October 3, 1957 ABC premieres The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom variety show, later featured in Michael Moore's documentary Roger and Me. The show features unobjectionable acts like The Four Lads, Ella Fitzgerald and Johnny Mathis; TV Guide says it's "about as exciting as a milkshake with two straws." It runs for three years and helps launch the career of Woody Allen, who is one of the writers.

September 18, 1957 The Big Record, CBS-TV's answer to American Bandstand, premieres with host Patti Page and guests Billy Ward & the Dominoes and Tony Bennett.

August 7, 1957 Paul Anka makes his US television debut, singing "Diana" on American Bandstand.