1959 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1959 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 07 Jan Birth of Kathy Valentine, Go-Go's Musician: Kathy Valentine was born, who would later become a prominent musician and bassist for the iconic all-female rock band The Go-Go's, known for their hit song 'We Got the Beat'.
- 24 Jan Broadway musical concludes short run: A Broadway musical concluded its short run on January 24, 1959, reflecting the competitive nature of theater productions during this period. The show garnered attention but ultimately did not achieve long-term success. source: britannica.com
- 31 Jan Domenico Modugno wins Sanremo Music Festival: Domenico Modugno, along with Johnny Dorelli, won the 1959 Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)". This victory marked their second consecutive win at the festival, following their previous success in 1958 with "Nel blu, dipinto di blu". The 1959 festival was held at the Sanremo Casino and was broadcast by Radiotelevisione italiana (RAI). source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 Feb The Day the Music Died marks the deaths of rock and roll stars: On February 2, 1959, rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson died in a plane crash in Iowa. This tragic event is often referred to as 'The Day the Music Died' and had a profound impact on the music industry and fans worldwide. source: britannica.com
- 03 Feb The Day the Music Died: plane crash claims three rock stars: On February 3, 1959, the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson is often referred to as 'The Day the Music Died.' This event marked a significant moment in music history, leading to widespread mourning and tributes. source: britannica.com
- 14 Feb Death of George Antheil: George Antheil, an American composer and pianist known for his avant-garde music and contributions to film scores, passed away on February 14, 1959. His work in music and technology left a lasting impact on the arts. source: britannica.com
- 28 Feb Goldilocks Musical Closes on Broadway: The musical 'Goldilocks' concluded its run at the Lunt Fontanne Theater in New York City after 161 performances, marking the end of a Broadway production during the late 1950s theatrical season.
- 09 Mar Juno Musical Opens in NYC: On March 9, 1959, the musical 'Juno' opened on Broadway in New York City, featuring a score by Marc Blitzstein. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Mar 1st Impressions Theater Production: The musical '1st Impressions' opens at the Alvin Theater in New York City, running for 84 performances.
- 11 Apr Jamaica Musical Closes in New York: The musical 'Jamaica' concludes its Broadway run at the Imperial Theater after an impressive 558 performances, marking a significant theatrical achievement.
- 22 Apr Miles Davis records Kind of Blue: Miles Davis began recording his iconic album 'Kind of Blue' on April 22, 1959. This album would go on to become one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. source: rollingstone.com
- 23 Apr Broadway musical 'Destry Rides Again' premieres: The musical 'Destry Rides Again' premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on April 23, 1959. Directed and choreographed by Michael Kidd, the show starred Andy Griffith as Destry and Dolores Gray as Frenchy, running for 472 performances. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 May First Grammy Awards announced: The first Grammy Awards were announced on May 3, 1959, recognizing outstanding achievements in the music industry. This event marked the beginning of an annual tradition celebrating musical excellence across various genres. source: grammy.com
- 04 May First Grammy Awards ceremony: The first Grammy Awards ceremony took place on May 4, 1959, celebrating the best in the music industry. This inaugural event set the stage for future ceremonies, becoming a prestigious occasion for artists and musicians. source: grammy.com
- 17 May Birth of Paul Di'Anno, Rock Musician: Paul Di'Anno, the original lead singer of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, was born on May 17, 1959, in Chingford, London, England. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 18 May David Seville's 'Judy' hits music charts: On May 18, 1959, David Seville's song 'Judy' reached the music charts, showcasing the popularity of novelty songs during that era. Seville, known for his work with the Chipmunks, contributed significantly to the music landscape of the late 1950s. source: billboard.com
- 22 May Birth of Morrissey, influential English singer: Morrissey, the lead singer of the iconic band The Smiths, was born on May 22, 1959, in Manchester, England. He became a significant figure in the music industry, known for his distinctive voice and poignant lyrics that often address themes of alienation and social issues. source: britannica.com
- 23 May Broadway musical closes after short run: A Broadway musical that premiered recently closed on May 23, 1959, after a brief run. The production faced challenges in attracting audiences, leading to its early closure, a common fate for many shows in the competitive Broadway landscape. source: playbill.com
- 01 Jun Alan Wilder: British Electronic Musician: Alan Wilder, a prominent British electronic musician, best known for his work with the influential synth-pop band Depeche Mode and his solo project Recoil, was born on this date.
- 05 Jun Bob Dylan graduates high school: On June 5, 1959, Bob Dylan graduated from Hibbing High School in Minnesota. This milestone marked the end of his formal education and the beginning of his journey into music, which would later lead him to become a cultural icon. source: biography.com
- 18 Jun The Nun's Story film release: The film 'The Nun's Story,' starring Audrey Hepburn, premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 18, 1959. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Jun West Side Story closes on Broadway: The iconic musical 'West Side Story' closed on Broadway on June 27, 1959, after a successful run. The show, which premiered in 1957, is renowned for its innovative choreography and music, and it remains a significant part of American theater history. source: britannica.com
- 17 Jul Billie Holiday's death: Billie Holiday, the iconic American jazz singer, passed away on July 17, 1959. Her contributions to music and culture have left a lasting legacy in the world of jazz and beyond. source: biography.com
- 20 Jul Radney Foster, Country Music Artist Born: Radney Foster, an American country music singer and songwriter, was born on this date. He would later become known for his solo career and as part of the duo Foster & Lloyd.
- 04 Aug Billy Barnes Revue Opens in NYC: The Billy Barnes Revue, a musical comedy, opened in New York City on August 4, 1959. The show received critical acclaim for its performances and production. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 10 Aug The Platters band members arrested in Cincinnati: On August 10, 1959, members of The Platters were arrested in Cincinnati, Ohio, due to a dispute involving a hotel incident. This event highlighted the challenges faced by popular music groups during that era. source: rollingstone.com
- 15 Aug Miles Davis releases 'Kind of Blue': On August 15, 1959, jazz musician Miles Davis released his iconic album 'Kind of Blue.' This album is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz records of all time, influencing countless musicians and genres. source: britannica.com
- 17 Aug Miles Davis releases 'Kind of Blue': On August 17, 1959, Miles Davis released his iconic album 'Kind of Blue,' which is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. The album features a modal jazz style and includes notable tracks such as 'So What' and 'Freddie Freeloader.' Its innovative approach has influenced countless musicians across various genres. source: britannica.com
- 28 Aug Death of Bohuslav Martinů, Czech composer: Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů passed away on August 28, 1959. He was known for his diverse compositions and contributions to 20th-century classical music, blending various styles and influences. source: britannica.com
- 11 Sep Duke Ellington receives Springarn Medal: Duke Ellington was awarded the Springarn Medal by the NAACP for his contributions to music and civil rights. This honor recognized his influence and impact on American culture, particularly in jazz music. source: naacp.org
- 29 Sep Little Anthony and the Imperials Record Hit Song: The R&B group Little Anthony and the Imperials record their iconic song "Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop", a significant moment in the evolution of rock and roll music.
- 04 Oct Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto Premiere: Dmitri Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto premiered in Leningrad, adding to the rich musical landscape of Soviet classical music.
- 10 Oct Birth of Kirsty MacColl: Kirsty MacColl, a renowned British singer and songwriter, was born. She would later become known for her distinctive voice and eclectic musical style, tragically passing away in 2000.
- 16 Oct Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet Born: Gary Kemp, British musician and actor, known for his role in the iconic 1980s new wave band Spandau Ballet and their hit song 'True', was born.
- 17 Oct Billy Barnes Revue concludes Broadway run: The Billy Barnes Revue, a musical comedy revue with music and lyrics by Billy Barnes and sketches by Bob Rodgers, concluded its Broadway run on October 17, 1959, at the Lyceum Theatre. The show had transferred from the John Golden Theatre on August 4, 1959, and ran for a total of 87 performances. source: ibdb.com
- 22 Oct "Take Me Along" Broadway Musical Premiere: "Take Me Along," a Broadway musical, premiered on October 22, 1959, at the Shubert Theatre. source: ibdb.com
- 09 Nov Birth of Thomas Quasthoff, renowned German bass-baritone: Thomas Quasthoff, a distinguished German bass-baritone, was born on November 9, 1959, in Hildesheim, West Germany. Despite severe birth defects caused by thalidomide, he pursued a successful career in classical music, earning multiple Grammy Awards. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 Nov Ornette Coleman's groundbreaking jazz performance: On November 17, 1959, Ornette Coleman performed at the Five Spot Café in New York City, marking a pivotal moment in jazz history. His innovative approach to improvisation and harmony challenged traditional jazz norms, leading to the development of free jazz. This performance is often credited with reshaping the genre and influencing countless musicians. source: npr.org
- 21 Nov Alan Freed fired from WABC Radio in payola scandal: Alan Freed, a prominent radio DJ known for popularizing rock and roll, was dismissed from WABC Radio amid allegations of payola, a practice where radio stations were paid to play certain songs. This scandal significantly impacted his career and the music industry at large, highlighting issues of ethics in broadcasting. source: nytimes.com
- 23 Nov Broadway musical 'Fiorello!' premieres: The Broadway musical 'Fiorello!', which tells the story of New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, premiered on November 23, 1959. The show received critical acclaim and won several Tony Awards, becoming a significant part of American musical theater history. source: playbill.com
- 25 Nov Broadway Musical 'Once Upon a Mattress' Opens: On November 25, 1959, the musical comedy 'Once Upon a Mattress' opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre. Directed by George Abbott, the production featured Carol Burnett in her Broadway debut as Princess Winnifred. The show ran for a total of 470 performances, including its initial Off-Broadway run, and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical. source: ibdb.com
- 25 Dec Ringo Starr receives first drum set for Christmas: On December 25, 1959, Richard Starkey, later known as Ringo Starr, received his first real drum set for Christmas, marking the beginning of his musical journey. source: beatlesdaily.com
- 31 Dec Birth of Paul Westerberg, alternative rock pioneer: Paul Westerberg, the lead singer and songwriter of the influential alternative rock band The Replacements, was born on December 31, 1959. He is known for his significant impact on the music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. source: allmusic.com
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