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Sam Phillips opens Memphis Recording Service
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Sam Phillips Records "Rocket 88"
"Rocket 88" which is written by Jackie Brenston a member of Ike Turner's band is recorded by Sam Phillips is the first Rock and Roll record. -
Alan Freed's "Moondog Rock and Roll House Party"
Alan Freed begins his "Moondog Rock and Roll House Party" show on WJW in Cleveland, Ohio. -
Alan Freed Hosts Moondog Coronation Ball
Alan Freed's "Moondog Coronation Ball" becomes the first major Rock and Roll concert. The large crowds break down the doors which begin a riot. -
Sun Records
Sam Philips starts Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. -
Bill Haley and The Comets Record Hits Pop Charts
"Crazy Man Crazy" by Bill Haley and The Comets ranks #13 on the Pop Charts which is the highest rating for a rock song so far. -
Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock"
Bill Haley and The Comets record "Rock Around the Clock." -
Rock Around the Clock Soundtrack
"Rock Around the Clock" becomes a soundtrack for the film, "The Blackboard Jungle" and becomes the first Rock and Roll record to hit number one on Billboard's chart. -
Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins Top the Charts
Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" and Carl Perkins "Blue Suede Shoes" become #1 and #2 on the pop charts. -
Elvis Presley Appears on Ed Sullivan
Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and performs "Hound Dog." -
Million Dollar Quartet
" On December 4, 1956, one man brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elivis Presley together to play for the
first and only time.
His name was Sam Phillips...
The place was Sun Records...
That night they made rock 'n' roll history."-Million Dollar Quartet -
Alan Freed's TV Show Canceled
In 1957 Alan Freed's Rock and Roll show is canceled due to complaints over showing African American teenage singer Frankie Lymon dancing with a white girl. -
American Bandstand Airs Nationally
Dick Clark's American Bandstand is aired by ABC television as a way to promote Rock and Roll as more respectable. The show is broadcast for the first time nationally. Elvis Presley is the show's first guest. -
Billboard Magazine Starts Hot 100
Billboard magazine expands Pop Charts to Hit 100 allowing more Rock and Roll records to become hits. -
Rock and Roll Business Grows
Rock and Roll's market share rises from 15.7 %to 42.7% making it the fastest growing style of music. -
The Day the Music Died
A plane crashes in Iowa killing rock icons Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper following a music tour. It becomes known as "The Day the Music Died" as noted in Don McLean's song, "American Pie." -
Begining of a New Decade
