1960s British Rock and Pop Chronology
1958
 
 
January JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
1 European Economic Community Treaty (Common Market) & European Atomic Agency Treaty (Euratom) come into effect
3 Harry Belafonte: "Mary's Boy Child" [continues as UK #1]
The Kaye Sisters: "Shake Me, I Rattle"/"Alone" [Philips PB 752, charts, UK #27]
3 West Indies Federation: Independence
10

Jerry Lee Lewis: "Great Balls of Fire" [UK #1 for 2 Weeks]
Bill Justis: "Raunchy" [London HLS 8517, charts, UK #11]
The Crickets: "That'll Be the Day" [Coral Q 72279, re-enters charts, UK #29]
Jim Dale: "Just Born" [Parlophone R 4376, charts, UK #27]
17 Michael Holliday: "The Story of My Life" [Columbia DB 4058, charts, UK #1]
Gary Miller: "The Story of My Life" [Pye Nixa N 15120, charts, UK #14]
Elvis Presley: "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" [HMV POP 428, charts, UK #21]
Jim Dale: "Crazy Dream" [Parlophone R 4376, charts, UK #25]
18 Melody Maker: "The Hootenany Takes Hold" [American "ceilidh" organized by Ewan Macoll at Holborn High's Princess Louise on Sunday Nights] (p. 5).
24 Elvis Presley: "Jailhouse Rock" [RCA 1028, charts, UK #1 for 3 weeks]
25 Melody Maker: "Skiffle" [Tony Brown interview with the Harry Francis of the Musicians' Union on how skiffle has damaged musician income] (p. 3)
31 Alma Cogan: "The Story of My Life" [HMV POP 433, charts, UK #25]
The King Brothers: "Put a Light in the Window" [Parlophone R 4389, charts, UK #25]
31 Cape Canaveral, Florida: US launches Explorer satellite
 
  Other January Artifacts
  London: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Peter Thorneycroft, resigns in protest against government spending
  London: Dick Denney brings his 15-watt Denney twin-channel amplifier up to production standards. This amp will become the Vox AC15 (Amplifier Combination 15 Watts).
   
 
February JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
6 Munich: Seven members of the Manchester United football team are among those killed in an air crash
7 Eddie Calvert: "Mandy" [Columbia DB 3956, charts, UK #9]
Ken MacKintosh: "Raunchy" [HMV POP 426, charts, UK #19]
13 London: British pledge retaliation against Soviet nuclear attack
14 Michael Holliday: "The Story of My Life" [UK #1 for 2 weeks]
McGuire Sisters: "Sugartime" [Coral Q 72305, charts, UK #14]
Alma Cogan: "Sugartime" [HMV POP 450, charts, UK #16]
David Whitfield: "Cry My Heart" [Decca F 10978, charts, UK #22]
17 Westminster, London: The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) founded in Central Hall
21 Ronnie Hilton: "Magic Moments" [HMV POP 446, charts, UK #22]
Ricky Nelson: "Stood Up" [London HLP 8542, charts, UK #27]
28 Perry Como: "Magic Moments" [UK #1 for 8 weeks]
Elvis Presley: "Don't" [RCA 1043, charts, UK #2]
Little Richard: "Good Golly Miss Molly" [London HLU 8560, charts, UK #8]
Petula Clark: "Baby Lover" [Pye Nixa N 15126, charts, UK #12]
Tony Brent: "The Clouds Will Soon Roll By" [Columbia DB 4066, charts, UK #20]
 
  Other February Artifacts
  Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) begin marches (with Ken Colyer's band?)
   
 
March JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
1 London (Trocadero Cinema, Elephant and Castle): Buddy Holly and the Crickets begin UK tour before 4,500 fans, performing for 20 minutes. Show cost: 10s 3d.
7 Marvin Rainwater: "Whole Lotta Woman" [MGM 974, charts, UK #1]
Tommy Steele: "Nairobi" [Decca F 10991, charts, UK #3]
Frankie Vaughan: "Can't Get Along without You"/"We Are Not Alone" [Philips PB 793, charts, UK #11]
Jim Dale: "Sugartime" [Parlophone R 4402, charts, UK #25]
11 Florence, South Carolina: A B-47E bomber accidentally jettisons an unarmed nuclear bomb.
14 The Crickets: "Maybe Baby" [Coral Q 72307, charts, UK #3]
Ted Heath: "Swingin' Shepherd Blues" [Decca F 11000, charts, UK #3]
Jackie Dennis: "La Dee Dah" [Decca F 10992, charts, UK #4]
Buddy Holly: "Listen to Me" [Coral Q 72288, charts, UK #16]
Michael Holliday: "In Love" [Columbia DB 4087, charts, UK #26]
21 Malcolm Vaughan with the Michael Sammes Singers: "To Be Loved" [HMV POP 459, charts, UK #14]
24 Elvis reports for active duty in the US Army
25 New York: Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) adopts the Westrex system for stereo records as the industry standard
 
  Other March Artifacts
  London: Film, The 6.5 Special (a.k.a.: Calling All Cats) premiers
  Moscow: Nikita Kruschev elected chairman of Council of Ministers
   
 
April JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
1 Fidel Castro announces war against President Batista
4 Connie Francis: "Who's Sorry Now" [MGM 975, charts, UK #1]
  Melody Maker: Marty Wilde complains that traditional session musicians "can't feel rock" (20)
  London: 5,000 attend anti-nuclear rally at Trafalgar Square. Gerald Holtom's symbol for the nuclear disarmament movement (a combination of the semaphor gestures for the letters "N" and "A") makes its appearance. Later, others will interpret as the peace symbol.
11 Lonnie Donegan: "The Grand Coolie Dam" [Pye Nixa 7N 15129, charts, UK #6]
Jerry Lee Lewis: "Breathless" [London HLS 8592, charts, UK #8]
Ted Heath: "Tequila" [Decca F 11003, charts, UK #21]
18 Ronnie Hilton with the Michael Sammes Singers: "I May Never Pass This Way Again" [HMV POP 468, charts, UK #27]
19 165 Oxford Street, London: The Marquee Club opens.
15 Five-year NATO defense plan approved
25 Marvin Rainwater: "Whole Lotta Woman" [UK #1 for 3 weeks]
Robert Earl: "I May Never Pass this Way Again" [Philips PB 805, charts, UK #14]
Tommy Steel: "Happy Guitar" [Decca F 10976, charts, UK #20]
 
  Other April Artifacts
  Dundee, Scotland: Tommy Steele injured by fans at a concert where the promoters fail to provide security. Steele cancels his tour and takes time to reconsider his career.
  "The Swiss," Old Compton Street: John Foster helps rename Harry Webb as Cliff Richard in recognigion of Little Richard. Ian Samwell recommends against "Richards" so that Webb can correct them and say the name twice.
   
 
May JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
2

Max Bygraves: "You Need Hands" / "Tulips from Amsterdam" [Decca F 11004, charts, UK #3]
Elvis Presley: "Wear My Ring around Your Neck" [RCA 1058, charts, UK #3]
9 Frankie Vaughan: "Kewpie Doll" [Philips PB 825, charts, UK #10]
10 Melody Maker: "Lonnie Donegan disc is banned by BBC" ["Nobody Loves Like and Irishman"] (1).
16 Connie Francis: "Who's Sorry Now" [UK #1 for 6 weeks]
Michael Holliday: "Stairway of Love" [Columbia DB 4121, charts, UK #3]
The Platters: "Twilight Time" [Mercury MT 214, charts, UK #3]
Terry Dene: "Stairway of Love" [Decca F 11016, charts, UK #16]
David Whitfield: "One the Street Where You Live" [Decca F 11018, charts, UK #16]
19 The US and Canada formally establish the North American Air Defense Command
22 London: Bank rate cut to 5 1/2%
23 Don Lang: "Witch Doctor" [HMV POP 488, charts, UK #5]
30 Perry Como: "I May Never Pass this Way Again" [RCA 1062, charts, UK #15]
31 Melody Maker: "Jerry Lee produces boos, boredom" [reactions to Jerry Lee Lewis' marriage revelations, tour cut to 3 days] (7)
 
  Other May Artifacts
  London: Joan Littlewood and the Theatre Workshop premier A Taste of Honey at the Theatre Royal
   
 
June JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
1 BBC-TV: Juke Box Jury premiers with a 26 week contract.
  Paris: Charles de Gaulle becomes premier of France
7 London, HMV (150 Oxford Street at Bond Street): Cliff Richard and the Drifters make a demo recording of "Breathless" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy."
8 Enewetak Atoll: "Shot Umbrella" submarine nuclear detonation
13 The Four Preps: "Big Man" [Capitol CL 14873, charts, UK #2]
Dean Martin: "Return to Me" [Capitol CL 14844, charts, UK #2]
17 London, Coventry Theatre: Tommy Steele returns to British stage with Dennis Price (piano), Alan Stuart (tenor sax), Leo Pollini (drums), and Allan Weighell (bass).
20 Buddy Holly: "Rave On" [Coral Q 72325, charts, UK #5]
Eddie Calvert: "Little Serenade" [Columbia DB 4105, charts, UK #28]
20 London: bus drivers go on strike
27 Vic Damone: "On the Street Where You Live" [UK #1 for 2 weeks]
Connie Francis: "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry" [MGM 982, charts, UK #11]
Jackie Dennis: "Purple People Eater" [Decca F 11033, charts, UK #29]
 
  Other June Artifacts
  Lonnie Donegan: "Sally, Don't You Grieve" / "Betty, Betty, Betty" [UK re; chrt 11 Jul; UK #11]
  ABC: Oh Boy! pilots
  London: Clean Air Act goes into effect
   
 
July JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
4 Vic Damone: "On the Street Where You Live" [shared UK #1 for 1 week]
The Everly Brothers: "All I Have to Do I Dream" / "Claudette" [shared UK #1 for 1 week]
Ted Heath: "Tom Hark" [Decca F 11025, charts, UK #24]
11 

The Everly Brothers: "All I Have to Do I Dream" / "Claudette" [UK #1 for 6 weeks]
Marty Wilde: "Endless Sleep" [Philips PB 835, charts, UK #4]
Lonnie Donegan: "Sally, Don't You Grieve" / "Betty, Betty, Betty" [Pye Nixa 7N 15148, charts, UK #11]
Michael Holliday: "I'll Always Be in Love with You" [Columbia DB 4155, charts, UK #27]
Little Richard: "Ooh My Soul" [London HLO 8647, charts, UK #22]
15 Liverpool: An off-duty policeman driving his car strikes and kills John Lennon's mother, Julia
18 Tommy Steele: "The Only Man on the Island" [Decca F 11041, charts, UK #16]
23 London: Women named to House of Lords
25 Elvis Presley: "Hard Headed Woman" [RCA 1070, charts, UK #2]
The Crickets: "Think It Over" [enters UK charts, UK #11]
Joe "Mr. Piano" Henderson: "Trudie" [Pye Nixa N 15147, charts, UK #14]
26 London: Charles named Prince of Wales
 
  Other July Artifacts
  London: Life peerages created
  USA: Hula-hoop craze
   
 
August JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
1 Bobby Darin: "Splish Splash" [London HLE 8666, charts, UK #18]
Frankie Vaughan: "Wonderful Things" [Philips PB 834, charts, UK #22]
3 Arctic Ocean:The nuclear-powered submarine Nautilus is the first vessel to cross the North Pole underwater
8 Charlie Drake: "Splish Splash" [Parlophone R 4461, charts, UK #7]
12 Johnston Island, Micronesia: "Shot John" (high-altitude nuclear detonation)
15 New York: Big Bill Broonzy dies [b. Scott County, Mississippi 26 June 1898
22 The Kalin Twins: "When" [UK #1 for 5 weeks]
Connie Francis: "Carolina Moon" / "Stupid Cupid" [MGM 985, charts, UK #1]
Ricky Nelson: "Poor Little Fool" [London HLP 8670, charts, UK #4]
Max Bygraves: "Little Train" / "Gotta Have Rain" [Decca F 11046, charts, UK #28]
Russ Conway: "Got a Match" [Columbia DB 4166, charts, UK #30]
23
 Washington: US Congress approves $1 billion increase for national defense
23-24 Nottingham: Race riots
29 Dean Martin: "Volare" [Capitol CL 14910, charts, UK #2]
Buddy Holly: "Early in the Morning" [Coral Q 72333, charts, UK #17]
Russ Conway: "Got a Match" [Columbia DB 4166, charts, UK #30]
29 Moscow: USSR announces it has successfully returned two dogs from a space arch
30 Melody Maker: Tommy Steele forms his own disc firm [Lionel Bart: "As the name implies (Gimmick), we are after special, gimmicky sounds... The original idea came from Decca when they learned that Tommy and I had played an active part in organizing his Decca sessions... We aim to scour the country for promising new British artists, to make the discs in our own way ant issue them in America. And if they make a hit in the States, we will issue them in this country...."] (1)
  Bromley Road, Notting Dale, London: Race riots
31 Notting Hill, London: Race riots
   
 
September JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
4 Washington, D.C.: US warns China against invading Formosa (Taiwan)
5 Bernard Bresslaw: "Mad Passionate Love" [HMV POP 522, charts, UK #6]
Duane Eddy and the Rebels: "Rebel Rouser" [London HL 8669, charts, UK #19]
7 Australia: Britain launches its first ballistic missile, "Black Knight"
Moscow: USSR warns US against attacking China
9 Notting Hill, London: Race riots
12 Cliff Richard and the Drifters: "Move It" [Columbia DB 4178, charts, UK #2]
13 ABC: Oh Boy! debuts featuring Cliff Richard & The Drifters, John Barry 7, Marty Wilde, & Ronnie Carroll [Saturday at 6:00]
20 ABC: Oh Boy! [#2] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters, 'Cuddly' Dudley, John Barry 7, & Marty Wilde
26 Connie Francis: "Carolina Moon" / "Stupid Cupid" [UK #1 for 6 weeks]
Johnny Mathis: "A Certain Smile" [Fontana H 142, charts, UK #4]
Lonnie Donegan: "Lonesome Traveler" [Pye Nixa 7N 15158, charts, UK #28]
27 ABC: Oh Boy! [#3] features John Barry 7, Lorie Mann, Marty Wilde, & Ronnie Carroll
   
 
October JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
3 Elvis Presley: "King Creole" [RCA 1081, charts, UK #2]
4 ABC: Oh Boy!: [#4] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters, Marty Wilde, Ronnie Carroll, Vince Eager, and Don Lang
  London: British Overseas Airways Corporation begins the first trans-Atlantic passenger jetliner service with flights to New York
8 Lebanon: US and Britain withdraw troops
9 Rome: Pope Pius XII dies
10 Frankie Vaughan: "Am I Wasting My Time on You" [Philips PB 865, charts, UK #25]
11 Melody Maker: "Marty Wilde Quits Show" [Dispute when he must share the bill with Cliff Richard on 5 October edition of Oh Boy!] (16)
ABC: Oh Boy! [#5] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters, 'Cuddly' Dudley, Ronnie Carroll, & Valerie Shane
  Cape Canaveral, Florida: US fires multi-stage rocket, Pioneer
17 Malcolm Vaughan with the Michael Sammes Singers: "More Than Ever (Come Prima)" [HMV POP 538, charts, UK #5]
18 London: The BBC begins offering broadcasts in stereo
  ABC: Oh Boy! [#6] features Terry Dene, Marty Wilde, Ronnie Carroll, John Barry 7, & Jackie Dennis
19 EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London: cast and invited audience members record the Oh Boy! LP. Cliff Richard and Peter Elliott record on the 21st because of calendar conflicts.
21 London: Muddy Waters and Otis Spann appear with British sidemen, Dick Smith (bass) and Graham Barbidge (drums); audience has mixed response to the electric guitar
24 Lord Rockingham's XI: "Hoots Mon" [Decca F 11059, charts, UK #1]
Robert Earl: "More than Ever (Come Prima)" [Philips PB 867, charts, UK #26]
Charlie Drake: "Volare" [Parlophone R 4478, charts, UK #28]
25 ABC: Oh Boy! [#7] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters and Peter Elliott
26 New York City: Pan Am inaugurates jet service to Europe
28 Rome: Pope John XXIII elected
31 Connie Francis: "I'll Get By" [MGM 993, charts, UK #19]
   
 
November JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
1 ABC: Oh Boy! [#8] features Bill Forbes, Cliff Richard, 'Cuddly' Dudley, The John Barry 7, Peter Elliott, & Tommy Steele
7 Tommy Edwards: "It's All in the Game" [UK #1 for 3 weeks]
Ricky Nelson: "Someday" [London HLP 8732, charts, UK #9]
Eddie Cochran: "Summertime Blues" [London HLU 8702, charts, UK #18]
8 Melody Maker: Editorial "Pop Rot! Call a Halt Now" [call for an end to the promotion of rock and roll] (3)
ABC: Oh Boy! [#9] features Cliff Richard, 'Cuddly' Dudley, & Peter Elliott
14 Tommy Steele: "Come on, Let's Go" [Decca F 11072, charts, UK #10]
Lonnie Donegan: "Lonnie's Skiffle Party" [Pye Nixa 7N 15165, charts, UK #23]
15 ABC: Oh Boy! [#10] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters, 'Cuddly' Dudley, The John Barry 7, Pat Lawrence, & Peter Elliott
21 Lonnie Donegan: "Tom Dooley" [Pye Nixa 7N 15172, charts, UK #3]
Cliff Richard and the Drifters: "High Class Baby" [Columbia DB 4203, charts, UK #7]
Ricky Nelson: "I Got a Feeling" [London HLP 8732, charts, UK #27]
  Washington, D.C.: US announces intention to maintain the integrity of Berlin
22 ABC: Oh Boy! [#11] features Cliff Richard, 'Cuddly' Dudley, The Drifters, Lorie Mann, & Peter Elliott
28 Lord Rockingham's XI: "Hoots Mon" [UK #1 for 3 weeks]
Russ Conway: "More Party Pops" [Columbia DB 4204, charts, UK #10]
28 Cape Canaveral, Florida: US successfully launches Atlas ballistic missile over 6,300 miles
29 ABC: Oh Boy! [#12] features 'Cuddly' Dudley, Emile Ford, John Barry Seven, & Peter Elliott
   
 
December JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC  
5 Jane Morgan: "The Day the Rains Came" [London HLR 8751, charts, UK #1]
  ABC: Oh Boy! [#13] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters, 'Cuddly' Dudley, The John Barry 7, Michael Holliday, & Peter Elliott
12 Ruby Murray: "Real Love" [Columbia DB 4192, charts, UK #18]
13 ABC: Oh Boy! [#14] features Bill Forbes, Cliff Richard & The Drifters, 'Cuddly' Dudley, Glen Mason, & Peter Elliott
  Cape Canaveral, Florida: US launches monkey into space arch
18 Cape Canaveral, Florida: US launches satellite broadcasting recorded Christmas message
19 Conway Twitty: "It's Only Make Believe" [UK #1 for 5 weeks]
Shirley Bassey: "As I Love You" [Philips PB 845, charts, UK #27]
20 Melody Maker: "Cliff Richard's Father Sacks His Manager" [Tito Burns replaces Franklyn Boyd] (14)
ABC: Oh Boy! [#15] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters, 'Cuddly' Dudley, The King Brothers, Peter Elliott, &
Vince Taylor
26 Shirley Bassey: "Kiss Me Honey, Honey Kiss Me" [Philips PB 860, charts, UK #3]
Connie Francis: "You Always Hurt the One You Love" [MGM 998, charts, UK #13]
27 BBC TV: "6.5 Special" goes off the air, beaten by "Oh Boy!"
ABC: Oh Boy! [#16] features Cliff Richard & The Drifters, Colin Hicks, 'Cuddly' Dudley, Peter Elliott, Vince Taylor, & William Marshall
Other 1958 Artifacts
Hohner develops its Cembalet electric piano
Danelctro introduces it's "Long Horn" electric bass
3 and 4-track tape machines in the US
Fullerton, California: Fender introduces its Jazz Master electric guitar
Kalamazoo, Michigan: Gibson introduces its Explorer and ES-335 electric guitars
First stereo LPs sold commercially
RCA switches its distribution agreement from EMI to Decca
London: Parking meters introduced
London: Ian Fleming publishes Doctor No
 
1960s British Rock and Pop Chronology
1957 1959
This site is a living document. I welcome corrections and suggestions. Gordon Thompson, Department of Music, Skidmore College
Copyright © 1995 — 14 April, 2008 ; Gordon Thompson