1957 - American Bandstand went national when it aired for the first time on ABC. Hosted by Dick Clark throughout its national run, the show remained on network TV until 1987. The show's popularity helped Dick Clark become an American media mogul and inspired similar long-running music programs, such as Soul Train and Top of the Pops. The first song the kids danced to back in 1957 was "That'll Be The Day" by Buddy Holly.
Countless acts appeared on the show over the years, including ABBA, The Doors, Talking Heads, Madonna, Otis Redding, R.E.M. and Pink Floyd.
1966 - The Beatles' seventh album, Revolver was released. Lennon once referred to Rubber Soul as the "pot album." Revolver was the "acid album." All the rules fell by the wayside with Revolver, as the Beatles began exploring new sonic territory, lyrical subjects, and styles of composition. It wasn't just Lennon and McCartney, either -- Harrison staked out his own territory. The biggest miracle of Revolver may be that the Beatles covered so much new stylistic ground and executed it perfectly on one record, or it may be that all of it holds together perfectly. Either way, its daring sonic adventures and consistently stunning songcraft set the standard for what pop/rock could achieve. (Photo credit should read JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images)
1975 -The first all-female hard-rock band is formed when producer Kim Fowley puts together The Runaways, featuring Joan Jett, future Bangle Michael Steele, and Lita Ford. In 1976 the band signs to Mercury Records and release their self-titled debut album with the nugget, "Cherry Bomb."
Birthdays:
Rick Derringer is 75. Guitarist in the McCoys (Hang On Sloopy) and The Edgar Winter Group, along with several solo albums.
Guitarist Pat Smear (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) is 63.
Adam Yauch, a.k.a. MCA of the Beastie Boys, was born today in 1964. He passed away in 2012.
On This Day In Music History was sourced from Rolling Stone, This Day in Music, Song Facts and Wikipedia.