1958 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1958 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 01 Jan Grandmaster Flash born: On January 1, 1958, hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash was born in Barbados. He is renowned for his innovative DJ techniques and contributions to the development of hip-hop music and culture. source: biography.com
- 02 Jan 'At The Hop' tops US music charts: The song 'At The Hop' by Danny and the Juniors reached the top of the US music charts on January 2, 1958. This hit became emblematic of the rock and roll era of the late 1950s. source: billboard.com
- 06 Jan Gibson patents the Flying V guitar: On January 6, 1958, Gibson Guitar Corporation patented the Flying V guitar, a revolutionary design that would become iconic in rock music. Its unique shape and sound have made it a favorite among many famous guitarists. source: britannica.com
- 10 Jan Jerry Lee Lewis tops music charts: On January 10, 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis's hit song "Great Balls of Fire" reached the top of the music charts, solidifying his status as a leading figure in rock and roll. The song became one of his signature tracks and remains iconic in music history. source: billboard.com
- 14 Jan UK Number 1 Hit: 'Great Balls Of Fire': On January 14, 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis's hit song 'Great Balls of Fire' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. The song became one of the defining tracks of rock and roll, showcasing Lewis's energetic piano style and vocal delivery. Its success contributed to the popularity of rock music in the late 1950s. source: officialcharts.com
- 16 Jan "At The Hop" Tops US Music Charts: "At The Hop" by Danny & the Juniors reached number one on the US charts in January 1958, becoming one of the top-selling singles of the year. The song also topped the R&B Best Sellers list and achieved significant success internationally. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 12 Feb Abraham Lincoln's Birthday Commemoration During Cold War: Abraham Lincoln's birthday was commemorated in 1958 against the backdrop of Cold War tensions, with patriotic celebrations featuring Civil War era music and media coverage emphasizing the geopolitical challenges posed by the Soviet Union.
- 13 Feb US Billboard number 1 hit: On February 13, 1958, the US Billboard number 1 hit was 'Teddy Bear' by Elvis Presley. This song solidified Presley's status as a leading figure in the music industry and contributed to the rock and roll movement of the era. source: billboard.com
- 16 Feb Birth of Ice-T: Tracy Lauren Marrow, known professionally as Ice-T, was born on February 16, 1958, in Newark, New Jersey. He is an American rapper and actor, recognized for his contributions to hip hop and heavy metal music. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Feb Notable births on February 27, 1958: February 27, 1958, saw the birth of several notable individuals, including American actor John O'Hurley and British musician and songwriter, John McKenzie. This date is recognized for its contributions to various fields through these individuals' later achievements. source: britannica.com
- 07 Mar RIAA Founded, Certifies First Gold Record: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) was established, marking a significant moment in music industry history by certifying its first gold record - Perry Como's single 'Catch A Falling Star'.
- 08 Mar Gary Numan born: Gary Numan, an English singer, songwriter, and musician, was born on March 8, 1958. He is known for his pioneering work in electronic music and hits like 'Cars' and 'Are 'Friends' Electric?'. source: britannica.com
- 25 Mar Tom Brown: Jazz Musician: Tom Brown, a jazz musician born in 1888, was an early contributor to the emerging jazz music scene in the United States.
- 28 Mar Death of W.C. Handy - Father of the Blues: William Christopher Handy, known as the 'Father of the Blues,' passed away on March 28, 1958. He was a pivotal figure in popularizing blues music and transforming it from a regional folk tradition to a recognized musical genre. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Apr "Tequila" tops US music charts: The instrumental track "Tequila" by The Champs reached the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on April 9, 1958. source: billboard.com
- 13 Apr Van Cliburn's Historic Moscow Triumph: On April 13, 1958, American pianist Van Cliburn won the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. His victory was a significant cultural achievement during the Cold War, symbolizing a bridge between the United States and the Soviet Union through music. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Apr Birth of Benjamin Zephaniah: British writer, poet, and musician Benjamin Zephaniah was born, who would later become a prominent voice in contemporary British literature and cultural activism.
- 24 Apr Dion and the Belmonts release debut single: On April 24, 1958, the American rock and roll group Dion and the Belmonts released their debut single, marking the beginning of their successful music career. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 May South Pacific soundtrack album tops charts: On May 19, 1958, the soundtrack album for the musical film 'South Pacific' reached the top of the charts in the United States. The album featured popular songs that contributed to the film's success and cultural impact. source: billboard.com
- 24 May New Girl in Town Musical Closes: On May 24, 1958, the Broadway musical 'New Girl in Town' concluded its run. The show, featuring music by Bob Merrill and lyrics by George Abbott, was a musical adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's play 'Anna Christie' and received critical acclaim during its performance. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 May Birth of Neil Finn: Neil Finn, the New Zealand musician and songwriter, was born on May 27, 1958. He is best known as the frontman of the rock band Crowded House and for his work with Split Enz, contributing significantly to the music scene in New Zealand and Australia. source: britannica.com
- 07 Jun Prince Rogers Nelson born: Prince Rogers Nelson, known simply as Prince, was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He would go on to become a legendary musician and cultural icon, influencing various genres of music. source: biography.com
- 16 Jun Birth of Icelandic musician: Icelandic musician Björk Guðmundsdóttir was born on June 16, 1958. She is known for her innovative music style and contributions to various genres, including electronic and pop music. Björk has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. source: britannica.com
- 18 Jun Benjamin Britten's Opera Premiere at Aldeburgh Festival: Renowned British composer Benjamin Britten premiered his innovative one-act opera 'Noye's Fludde' at the prestigious Aldeburgh Festival, showcasing a unique musical interpretation of the biblical Noah's Ark story. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 30 Jun Top US music hit: On June 30, 1958, the Billboard Hot 100 chart featured 'Volare' by Domenico Modugno as the number one song. This Italian classic became a significant hit in the United States, showcasing the growing popularity of international music. source: billboard.com
- 03 Jul Andy Williams Show premieres on ABC: On July 3, 1958, 'The Andy Williams Show' premiered on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network. The show featured singer Andy Williams and showcased musical performances, comedy sketches, and guest appearances, becoming a popular variety program during its run. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Jul First gold record certification by RIAA: On July 8, 1958, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded its first gold record certification to the single 'Poor Little Fool' by Ricky Nelson. This marked a significant milestone in the music industry, establishing a standard for sales recognition. source: riaa.com
- 20 Jul Michael McNeill - Simple Minds Musician Born: Michael McNeill, a musician known for being part of the iconic rock band Simple Minds, famous for their hit song 'Don't You Forget About Me', was born on this date.
- 30 Jul Kate Bush born in Bexleyheath, England: Catherine Bush, known professionally as Kate Bush, was born on July 30, 1958, in Bexleyheath, Kent, England. She is an English singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer, renowned for her eclectic musical style and innovative performances. source: britannica.com
- 31 Jul First gold record certification: The first gold record certification was awarded on July 31, 1958, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This milestone recognized the sales achievements of music records and set a standard for future certifications in the music industry. source: riaa.com
- 04 Aug Billboard Hot 100 music chart established: The Billboard Hot 100 music chart was established on August 4, 1958, marking a significant milestone in the music industry. It became the standard for measuring the popularity of songs in the United States, combining sales, radio play, and jukebox play data. source: britannica.com
- 15 Aug Buddy Holly's wedding: Buddy Holly, the iconic rock and roll musician, married Maria Elena Santiago on August 15, 1958. Their marriage was a significant event in Holly's life, marking a personal milestone amidst his rising fame. The couple's relationship was often highlighted in discussions about Holly's legacy. source: britannica.com
- 18 Aug Perez Prado Receives Gold Record: Mambo King Perez Prado is honored with one of the first gold records, recognizing his significant contribution to the popular music genre and his international musical influence.
- 29 Aug Michael Jackson's birth: Michael Jackson, the iconic pop singer and entertainer, was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. He would go on to become one of the most famous and influential musicians in history, known for his groundbreaking contributions to music and dance. His early life and career began with the Jackson 5 before launching a solo career. source: britannica.com
- 30 Aug Death of Alexander Albrecht: On August 30, 1958, Alexander Albrecht, a Czechoslovakian composer known for his Slovak music, committed suicide at the age of 73. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 Oct Valmouth musical show premiere: The Valmouth musical show premiered on October 2, 1958, showcasing a blend of music and theatrical performance. This event contributed to the cultural landscape of the time, reflecting the artistic trends of the late 1950s. source: theguardian.com
- 05 Oct Lee Thompson of Madness born: Lee Thompson, the British musician and saxophonist of the band Madness, was born on October 5, 1958. He is known for his contributions to the ska and pop music scenes. source: britannica.com
- 11 Oct Goldilocks Broadway premiere: The Broadway premiere of the musical 'Goldilocks' took place on October 11, 1958. The show, featuring music by Leroy Anderson and a book by George Abbott, was a notable event in the theater scene of the time. source: ibdb.com
- 13 Oct US and UK music charts: On October 13, 1958, the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom reflected a vibrant cultural scene, with various artists gaining popularity. This period marked a significant evolution in music trends, influencing future generations. source: billboard.com
- 17 Oct Alan Jackson born in Newnan, Georgia: Alan Jackson, an influential American country music singer and songwriter, was born on October 17, 1958, in Newnan, Georgia. He is known for his traditional country style and has received numerous awards throughout his career. source: biography.com
- 31 Oct UK music chart topper: Connie Francis double hit: On October 31, 1958, Connie Francis achieved a notable milestone by having two songs simultaneously at the top of the UK music charts. This accomplishment highlighted her popularity and influence in the music industry during that era. source: bbc.co.uk
- 29 Nov Michael Dempsey Birth: Michael Dempsey, who would later become a notable musician in the influential alternative rock band The Cure, was born on this date.
- 01 Dec Flower Drum Song Opens on Broadway: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's musical 'Flower Drum Song' opens at St. James Theater in New York City, beginning a successful 602-performance run. The musical, directed by Gene Kelly and starring Miyoshi Umeki, explores themes of Asian-American cultural identity.
- 10 Dec First Grammy Awards ceremony: The inaugural Grammy Awards ceremony was held on December 10, 1958, in Los Angeles. The event honored outstanding achievements in the music industry, with Domenico Modugno's "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu" ("Volare") winning both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. source: cbsnews.com
- 14 Dec Birth of Spider Stacy, Pogues musician: Peter Richard "Spider" Stacy, an English musician and member of the band The Pogues, was born on December 14, 1958, in Eastbourne, England. He is best known for playing the tin whistle and occasionally singing for the band. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 Dec Birth of Mike Mills: Michael Edward Mills, an American musician and member of the band R.E.M., was born on December 17, 1958, in Orange County, California. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Dec Jackie Wilson dominates R&B charts: On December 26, 1958, Jackie Wilson was a leading figure on the R&B charts, showcasing his influence in the music industry during this period. His hits contributed significantly to the genre's popularity. source: billboard.com
- 27 Dec Conway Twitty tops UK charts: On December 27, 1958, Conway Twitty reached the top of the UK charts, marking a significant achievement in his music career. His style resonated with audiences, contributing to his lasting legacy. source: billboard.com
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