Time to take a look back into this day in rock history: March 2
His first recording session. Bo Diddley steps up to the mic at Chicago’s Universal Recording Studio, where he lays down “Bo Diddley”. The song will bat the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B chart the following June. In 2012 it was also included in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry list of “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important” American sound recordings.
Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” makes its first appearance on the Billboard charts debuting at #68. Some folks at RCA Victor think it’s a mistake, but the song would hit t#1 on the US Pop chart for 8 weeks, and spend 17 another weeks at the top of the Country chart. It was written by Mae Axton, the mother of songwriter Hoyt Axton.
Just a couple of years later, Elvis is mustered out of the army where he served with the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor. He was stationed in Germany, and on his way back to the US Elvis makes a brief stopover at Prestwick Airport in Scotland for refueling. It’s his only visit anywhere in the UK.
Move over vinyl and cassettes, there’s a new kid in town. The compact disc is introduced by Sony, Philips and Polygram. The digital disc can hold up to 60 minutes of music with exceptional clarity.
Dusty Springfield loses her five year battle with breast cancer. She’s only 59 years old, and would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two weeks later. A powerful and distinctive voice, Springfield would have 18 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 from 1964 to 1970.
Don’t invite these two to the same party. Eagles drummer Don Henley looks at legal action against Frank Ocean after he hears a sample of “Hotel California” in Ocean’s “American Weddings”. Ocean’s response? “Ain’t this guy rich as f**k? Why sue the new guy? I didn’t make a dime off that song. I released it for free. If anything I’m paying homage.”
