1942 - The Jitterbug Waltz from World War Two years has been recorded by many, but on this date it was the turn of multi-talented Fats Waller, who recorded the song in New York. Couldn't find it anywhere, so here are two other songs from the man himself, Fats Waller - Aint Misbehavin and This Joint Is Jumpin'
1947 - She was the daughter of President Harry Truman, and she made her professional radio debut on this date, singing with the Detroit Symphony. After graduating from George Washington University and receiving some operatic vocal training, she debuted with this following radio broadcast. After a performance in December 1950, Washington Post music critic Paul Hume wrote she was extremely attractive on the stage... [but] cannot sing very well. She is flat a good deal of the time." Her father, then President, wrote to Hume, "I have never met you, but if I do you'll need a new nose and plenty of beefsteak and perhaps a supporter below."
1963 - Puff The Magic Dragon was released by Peter, Paul and Mary. Whether or not it was about the loss of innocence or about reefers, doobies and joints, the song is a child's song. Mary and some members of the audience certainly look like they've been smoking something magic, though, I must say.
1964 - Capitol released the Beatles Can't Buy Me Love backed with You Can't Do That. Don't know where this was recorded, but the stage set-up was strange, the crowd screaming all the way through was loud, and the guys dancing at the back provided comic relief. Love it! The second Beatles song released today in '64, the B side, was You Can't Do That, in my opinion one of the best Beatles rockers ever.
1999 - Twelve years ago, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) presented the first Diamond Awards, given in recognition of albums and singles that have sold 10 million copies or more. Spanning more than 50 years, the Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™ and now Diamond® award programs are the longest-running objective measure of achievement for global sound recordings in the United States, and provide an unmatched historical perspective on the success of countless recording artists. The RIAA® has charted the entire careers of such veteran artists as Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, The Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and the Backstreet Boys, as well as documented the popularity of soundtracks, live albums, multi-disc sets and music videos. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) administers a silver, gold, platinum and diamond award category for a number of countries, excluding the United States. IFPI has members in 70 countries and five continents. On March 14, 1958, the year the awards were launched, the RIAA® awarded the very first Gold plaque to Perry Como for his hit single, "Catch A Falling Star". (Go to our archive section to see). The list of Diamond® titles represents some of the best and most influential recordings in history. From The Beatles to The Backstreet Boys, it is truly an audio timeline of the last 50 years. Representing all genres of music, these titles total more than 900 million in U.S. sales and include Michael Jackson's Thriller, Pink Floyd's The Wall, Led Zeppelin IV, AC/DC's Back In Black and The Eagles. So how about some Acca Dacca Back In Black, live at Donnington.
