2nd June

While experimenting with his technique called "harmonic telegraph", Alexander Graham Bell discovers that he can hear plucking sounds being transmitted along a wire. This discovery will lead to his invention of the telephone. Inspired by the life and work of the great inventor, The Sweet will record Alexander Graham Bell in 1971, and Richard Thompson will explore the great man's life in some detail in his song Alexander Graham Bell.

Musical comedy The Casino Girl is playing at The Casino Theatre, Broadway, New York City, USA, during a run of 105 performances.

Musical comedy The Toreador is presented at The Gaiety Theatre, London, England, UK, Europe, during a run of 675 performances.

The musical play A Country Girl, or Town and Country, with music by Lionel Monckton and additional songs by Paul Rubens, is performed at Daly's Theatre, London, England, UK, Europe, during a run of 729 performances.

Record producer John Hammond offers Billie Holiday a recording contract with Brunswick Records in New York City, USA.

Record producer John Hammond offers Billie Holiday a recording contract with Brunswick Records in New York City.

Franco Mamone is born in Verona, Italy, Europe. As the head of the promoting company Commusications, he will be considered the first of the modern generation of Italian rock promoters and managers. From the seventies onwards, he will organize concerts by Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen and countless others.

The popular musical Guys And Dolls is running at The Shubert Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The musical revue New Faces Of 1952, is presented at The Royale Theatre, Broadway, New York City, USA, during a run of 365 performances. The revue is perhaps best remembered because it features Eartha Kitt making her Broadway debut with the spectacular song, Monotonous, based on real events in her life.

Bandleader Benny Strong is playing during a three-week stay at Elitch Gardens, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Chubby Checker plays the second of ten nights at The National Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico, Central America.

The Animals continue with a two-month stint at The Star Club, Hamburg, Germany, Europe.

Ray Charles plays the second of two nights at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK.

Jazz flute maestro Eric Dolphy records the album Last Date, in Hilversum, Holland, Europe, just 27 days before his death.

Dolly Parton makes an appearance on tv's Early Morning Show in the USA.

Charles Mingus records his show at The Jazz Workshop, San Francisco, California, USA, for the album Right Now : Live At The Jazz Workshop, on Fantasy Records.

The Cal Tjader Quintet records Daddy Long Legs, Mambo and Wachi, in New York City, USA, for Verve Records.

The Yardbirds play in the Country Club, Mudeford, UK.

Elvis Presley continues with filming of his next movie, Frankie And Johnny, at Goldwyn Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.

The Grateful Dead play at Speedway Meadows, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA.

Tommy Hunt is playing during three nights at Loretta's Hi Hat, Lawnside, New Jersey, USA.

Inez And Charlie Foxx play during a week of shows at The Apollo Theatre, Harlem, New York City, USA.

Tom Jones plays the second of three nights at The Coventry Theatre, Coventry, England, UK, Europe.

Edwin Starr plays at The Windsor Ballroom in The Coatham Hotel, Redcar, England, UK, Europe.

Tom Waits plays the third of thirteen nights at Ronnie Scott's Club, Soho, London, UK.

XTC play at The Top Rank, Cardiff, Wales, UK.

Prince plays his first ever UK concert, at The Lyceum, London, England, UK, Europe. The show is a disaster, and the other dates on his tour are immediately cancelled. It will be five years before he plays again in the UK.

The Jam play at The Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, California, USA.

The Truth play at The Richmond Hotel, Brighton, England, UK, Europe.

Deborah Harry (aka Blondie) plays at Brixton Academy, London, England, UK.

Bob Dylan plays the second of two nights at The National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

In support of her album Square The Circle, Joan Armatrading begins a 22-date tour with a show at Leicester Polytechnic, Leicester, England, UK, Europe.

Mark Knopfler plays the fourth of five nights at The Royal Albert Hall, London, England, UK.

On their Live With Teeth tour, Nine Inch Nails play at The Sports Palace Dome, Mexico City, Mexico, North America.

Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae play at The Chicago Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

On his Twisted Road tour, Neil Young plays the second of two nights at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, supported by Bert Jansch.

Crowded House play at Colston Hall, Bristol, UK.

On their Final Frontier World Tour, Iron Maiden play at O2 World, Hamburg, Germany, Europe.

Drake plays at The First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Florence And The Machine release their third LP, How Big How Blue How Beautiful, in the UK.

The biographical book Seasick Steve - Ramblin' Man by Matthew Wright, is published by John Blake Publishing in the UK. The book focusses in considerable detail on the fact that 'authentic bluesman' Steve's perceived public identity is largely a sham, fancifully invented by Steve. Ten years younger than he claimed to be in media interviews, he was never an itinerant hobo bluesman. In reality, among other things, he played in a San Francisco-based hippy band, Shanti, and also in a disco combo called Crystal Glass. His 'real' name was not, as he said, Steven Gene Wold but Steve Leach.

R. Kelly plays at The Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Phil Collins begins his Not Dead Yet tour with a show at The Echo Arena, Liverpool, England, UK, Europe.