Music timeline
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Bob Marley Born
Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the lead singer, songwriter and... Read more
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Elvis Presley's first public performance
On October 3, 1945, he made his first public performance in a singing contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show at the suggestion of... Read more
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Elvis receives first guitar on 11th birthday
For his eleventh birthday, Presley received his first guitar. He had wanted a rifle but his parents could only afford a guitar. Over the following... Read more
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Freddie Mercury is born
Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara) (5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991) was a British musician, best known as the frontman of the rock band... Read more
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David Bowie is born
David Bowie born David Robert Hayward-Jones; 8 January 1947) is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. Active in five decades of... Read more
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The Presley Family moves to Memphis
In September 1948, the Presley family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, allegedly because Vernon—in addition to needing work—had to escape the law for... Read more
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Elvis Presley worked as an usher at Loew's State Theater
In September 1950, Presley occasionally worked evenings as an usher at Loew's State Theater—his first job—to boost the family income, but his... Read more
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Neil Peart is born
Neil Peart (pronounced /ˈpɪərt/) OC, (born September 12, 1952) is a Canadian musician and author. He is the drummer and lyricist for the rock band... Read more
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David Bowie's family moves to suburb of Bromley, Kent
David Bowie was born David Robert Hayward-Jones in Brixton, London to parents who were married in September 1947 shortly after his birth. His... Read more
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Elvis Presley records first songs
On July 18, 1953, Presley went to Sun Records' Memphis Recording Service to record "My Happiness" with "That's When Your Heartaches Begin,"... Read more
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Geddy Lee is born
Geddy Lee, OC (born Gary Lee Weinrib; July 29, 1953) is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the... Read more
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Alex Lifeson is born
Alex Lifeson, OC (born Aleksandar Živojinović; August 27, 1953) is a Canadian musician, best known for his work as the guitarist of the Canadian... Read more
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Georgia Historical Commission erects historical marker to Blind Tom Wiggins
The inscription of the Blind Tom historical marker reads: "BLIND TOM" 200 feet east is the grave of Thomas Wiggins (1843-1908) As "Blind... Read more
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Elvis records "I'll Never Stand In Your Way" and "It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You"
On January 4, 1954, he cut a second acetate demo recording of "I'll Never Stand In Your Way" and "It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You". At the... Read more
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Elvis Presley auditions for producer Sam Phillips
She called him on June 26, 1954. However, Presley was not able to do justice to the song. Phillips would later recall that "Elvis was probably as... Read more
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Elvis Presley signs management deal with "Colonel" Tom Parker
On August 15, 1955, "Colonel" Tom Parker became Presley's manager, signing him to a one year contract, plus renewals. Several record labels had... Read more
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Elvis Presley releases self-titled debut album
Elvis Presley was the name of Elvis Presley's debut LP. It was released on RCA Victor, in mono, catalogue number LPM 1254, in March 1956. The... Read more
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Elvis Presley appears on the Steve Allen Show
Country vocalists The Jordanaires accompanied Presley on The Steve Allen Show and their first recording session together produced "Any Way You Want... Read more
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Elvis Presley releases Elvis
Elvis is the second album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono, LPM 1382, in October 1956. Recording sessions took place on... Read more
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John Lennon meets Paul McCartney
In March 1957 John Lennon formed a skiffle group called The Quarrymen. McCartney met Lennon on 6 July 1957, and agreed to join the group a few days... Read more
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The first official Quarry Men performance
The first "official" public, albeit unsuccessful, performance by The Quarry Men - they failed to impress when they auditioned before the promoter... Read more
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Elvis releases Elvis' Christmas Album
Elvis' Christmas Album is the fourth album by Elvis Presley on RCA Victor Records, LPM 1951, released in October 1957, and recorded at Radio... Read more
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Paul McCartney invited George Harrison to watch the Quarrymen
According to George Harrison, the first time he saw the Quarry Men was at the Wilson Hall, opposite the bus depot in Garston, Liverpool. According... Read more
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Michael Jackson Born
Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana (an industrial suburb of Chicago, Illinois) to a working-class family on August 29, 1958. The son... Read more
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The Day the Music Died: Buddy Holly Richie Valens and the Big Bopper J.P. Richardson die in plane crash
Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) died in a plane crash in Iowa. Don McClean called this "The Day the Music Died" in... Read more