1942 -RCA Victor presents Glenn Miller with a gold record for "Chattanooga Choo Choo." It's purely a promotional gimmick (the label is celebrating sales of over one million), but still the first time that a gold record is awarded. Other labels follow suit in handing out framed golden discs to their artists in celebration of the one million milestone, and in 1958 the RIAA makes it official, awarding gold records to singles and albums that earn over $1 million.
Glenn Miller in in the Colorado Music Hall Of Fame.
1967 - After seven years at Columbia, Aretha Franklin releases her first single on Atlantic Records, "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)." It becomes her first big hit, clearing a path to the throne of the Queen of Soul. The song was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
1968 - Rolling Stone magazine offers free roach clips to new subscribers.
In their fifth issue, Rolling Stone offers a new incentive to build their subscriber base: a free roach clip with every paid subscription. They don't call it a "roach clip" though, instead showing a picture and labelling it a "Handy Little Device" and suggesting it has many uses around the home, including hanging jewelry.
1971 - Carole King released Tapestry. It is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. A remarkably expressive and intimate record, it's a work of consummate craftsmanship. Always a superior pop composer, King reaches even greater heights as a performer; new songs like the hits "It's Too Late" and "I Feel the Earth Move" rank solidly with past glories, while songs like "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" take on added resonance when delivered in her own warm, compelling voice.
1979 - Dire Straits release "Sultans Of Swing." The song, ss the story goes: Mark Knopfler ducked into a bar where a mediocre band was closing out the night. The hapless band ended their set with the lead singer announcing, with no apparent irony, "Goodnight and thank you. We are the sultans of swing." Said Knopfler: "When the guys said 'Thank you very much, We are the Sultans of Swing,' there was something really funny about it to me because Sultans, they absolutely weren't. You know they were rather tired little blokes in pullovers."
Birthdays:
Jerry Goldsmith, creator of the scores of "Star Trek", "Planet of the Apes", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and "Dr. Kildare", among others, was born today in 1929.
Roberta Flack is 86. Classy, urbane, reserved, smooth, and sophisticated -- all of these terms have been used to describe the music of Roberta Flack, particularly her string of romantic, light jazz ballad hits in the 1970s, which continue to enjoy popularity on MOR-oriented adult contemporary stations. Essential songs: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Where Is the Love." "Killing Me Softly with His Song", and "Feel Like Makin' Love,"
On this day In Music History was sourced from This Day in Music, Song Facts, Allmusic, and Wikipedia.