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Frank Sinatra's first recording
Frank Sinatra recorded his first recording, a song called "Our Love" in 1939 -
Major guitar companies
Fender and Gibson were both creating guitars, selling more than any other company and spreading their guitars across the US. The two companies rivaled each other and struggled to sell more guitars than the other. Over the years, the two brands still continue to be at the top of guitar production today -
Billboard Magazine's first ever popularity chart
Billboard Magazine introduced its first ever music popularity chart. The charts later became Billboard's main feautre and they are now recognized by the world as a leading source of musical popularity charts -
Les-Paul is created
In 1941, Gibson released the model of guitars known as the Les-Paul, which later became the most popular and widely recognized guitar. Although many claim that the design was actually created by O.W. Appleton who sent Gibson a pitch for the guitar, Gibson still holds credit for introducing the guitar to the public and the mass popularity that the guitar gave them -
Capitol Records is created
Johnny Mercer, Buddy DeSylva, and Glenn Wallichs take their first step towards creating Capitol Records, who have signed bands like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and many others -
Bing Crosby records "White Christmas"
"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby became the best-ever selling single of all time -
Musicians Strike
During the years of 1942-1944, musicians in the American Federation of Musicians held a strike against American recording companies and refused to record any music. The Musicians Strike was caused by disagreements between musicians and record companies over royalty payments, or payments for using someone else's copyrighted material -
Jo Stafford launches her solo career
Jo Stafford, whose nickname was "GI Jo," starts her solo career. Jo often sang for US soldiers, getting her the nickname. She became a symbol for the soldiers and gave them inspiration to stay strong though the war. -
First jazz concert in the Metropolitan Opera House
The Metropolitan Opera House hosts a jazz concert for the first time. Artists included Louis Armstron, Benny Goodman, and many more. The opera house was also known as the "Old Met," and usually featured opera singers and classical music. The opera house had burned down in 1892 but was rebuilt and put back into use. -
Charlie Parker/ Miles Davis
Charlie Parker makes his first recorrding as a lead artist. The recording was labeled as the "best jazz recording ever" and featured Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillepsie on trumpet -
B.B. King starts his musical career
Famous blues guitar player B.B. King starts his legendary musical career in 1946. B.B. currently has no. 6 on the Rolling Stone's top guitarists of all time and was nicknamed the "King of Blues." Being called the most influential guitar player of all time, B.B. brought new playing styles and techniques into the world of electric guitars an changed the blues genre forever. King is also known for never ceasing to play his music, as he would play 250-300 concerts a year until his late 70's. -
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 televised
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 was televised for the first time. It was performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra -
First "Nice Jazz Festival"
Known as the "first significatnt international jazz festival," the fetsival included appearances by artists such a Louis Armstron and Stephane Grapelli -
Mitch Miller begins career
Mitch Miller, who later became one of the 20th century's most successful record producers, started his career in 1949 -
Birdland Jazz CLub opens
One of the most famous Jazz Clubs ever was opened in New York on December 15th, 1949 under the name "Birdland Jazz Club." The name came from the artist who headlined most frequentlly, Charlie "Yardbird" Parker. Other famous artists that played at the club were artists like Marilyn Monroe, Miles Davis, and Gary Cooper -
Sun Records begins
Sun Records is founded by Sam Phillips. Sam focused the company on introducing African-American musician's work to white audiences. Sun Redords signed artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and RRoy Orbison.
