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McPhatter And The Drifters is the No1 single in the Billboard R'n'B Singles Chart in the USA.
Fats Domino peaks at No10 on the Billboard R'n'B singles chart in the USA with You Done Me Wrong, his tenth R'n'B success.
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company launches its 1954 jukebox models - the 1700 Series - to dealers across the USA. The range includes a 104-selection model with a new record-changing mechanism, the Wurlitzer Carousel.
A finished master of Bill Haley And His Comets version of Rock Around The Clock is produced at Pythian Temple, New York City, USA, by playing two takes from the previous day's recording session in synchronisation and recording the result. [On one take Haley's voice had been drowned out by the musicians, on the other Haley's voice was clear.]
Muddy Waters records I Just Want To Make Love To You at Chess Records' studios in Chicago, Illinois. The track will peak at No4 in the Billboard US Black Singles Chart.
Jimmy Rogers records Sloppy Drunk, with Little Walter on harmonica, Otis Spann on piano and Willie Dixon on bass, in Chicago, IIlinois, USA, for Chess Records.
The Johnny Dankworth Orchestra records Ain't Misbehavin', I Got Rhythm, I Know You're Mine [with Cleo Laine on vocals] and I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good, for Parlophone Records in London.
Guy Mitchell plays the first of eight nights at The Vogue Terrace, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Papa George Lightfoot records Wine, Women, Whiskey, When The Saints Go Marching In, Jump The Boogie and Mean Ol' Train in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, for Imperial Records.
Louis Jordan and The Robins play at The Trocadera, Los Angeles, California, USA. Two members of The Robins will go on to form The Coasters.
Warney Ruhl And His Orchestra play in The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Jazz pianist Bud Powell records Moonlight In Vermont, Spring Is Here, Buttercup and Fantasy In Blue for Norgran Records in Fine Sound Studio, New York City, USA. The tracks will be released on the album Bud Powell's Moods.Jazz piano giant Thelonious Monk has his first studio recording session, for the French record label Disques Vogue, in Paris, France, Europe. During the session he records Round Midnight, Evidence, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Well You Needn't, Reflections, Wee See, Eronel, Off Minor and Hackensack.
Big Joe Turner reaches No1 in the Billboard R+B singles chart in the USA, with his original, uncensored version of Shake, Rattle and Roll.
A new radio show, Best of All, makes is broadcast debut in the USA. The show will go on to celebrate American composers including George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Rogers And Hammerstein, Vincent Youmans and Cole Porter, with live performances by Sara Flemming, Clark Dennis, Donald Graham, Sylvia Michaels, Jack Haskill and the Textor Singers backed by Skitch Henderson and the orchestra.
The Blue Diamonds record Honey Baby, No Money and She's Gone for Savoy Records in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The group includes singer Ernie Kador who will find success as Ernie K-Doe and pianist Huey 'Piano' Smith, with drums supplied by the legendary Earl Palmer.
Singer Roosevelt Wright with The Billy Tate Band records Bayou Blues, Tia Juana Boogie, Johnnie Mae and Saratoga Stomp for Savoy Records in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The group includes pianist Huey 'Piano' Smith, with drums supplied by the legendary Earl Palmer. None of the tracks will be released.
B.B. King plays at Springbrook Gardens, Lima, Ohio, USA. The ticket price is $1.75 in advance.
Sam Phillips of Sun Records of Memphis, Tennessee, USA, invites aspiring young singer Elvis Presley into the studio for a test recording session. Presley sings the song Without You, but Phillips is not completely convinced. He asks Presley to sing a few more songs and is sufficiently impressed to decide he will get Presley together with local musicians Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass) for a further session.The Robins, later to become The Coasters, play at The Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles, California, USA, with Richard Lewis and his Band.
Elvis Presley records the Arthur Crudup song That's All Right, Mama, at Sun Records, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black.
Marlene Dietrich plays the last night of a month at The Cafe De Paris, London, UK.
Al Di Meola is born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. He will come to prominence as a jazz-rock guitarist in the band Return To Forever, but will also pursue an acclaimed solo career.
R'n'b/doo-wop group The
Castelles release a new single, Over A Cup Of Coffee, on
Grand
Records in the USA.
Both sides of Elvis Presley's debut single are on the local singles chart in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Blue Moon Of Kentucky reaches No1 while That's All Right is at No7.
Martin Slavin's Vibrachords record Sweet Georgia Brown, I Surrender Dear, Crazy Rhythm and After You've Gone for Esquire Records in London, UK. The band includes Keith Bird [cl], Martin Slavin [vib], Dill Jones [p], Archie Slavin [g], Joe Muddel [b] and Roy Cooper [d].
An Alan Freed-promoted US package tour called The Biggest Rhythm'n'Blues Show, plays the second of five nights at The Paramount Theater, Brooklyn, New York, USA. Acts on the bill include The Drifters, Roy Hamilton, LaVern Baker, King Pleasure, The Spaniels and more.
Craig Chaquico is born in Sacramento, California, USA. He will join Jefferson Starship in 1974 as their new guitarist.
T-Bone Walker plays the last night of a two-week stay at The Flame Show Bar, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Trumpeter/vocalist Oran Thaddeus 'Hot Lips' Page suffers a heart attack in New York City, USA. He will die a week later.
New Orleans group The Hawks record These Blues, It's Too Late Now, School Girl and I Want My Loving Now for Post Records, a subsidiary of Imperial Records.
Nolan Strong And The Diablos play the second night of three weeks at The Madison Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Sonny Thompson's Orchestra featuring Lula Reid and The Treniers play the last night in a week of shows at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem, New York City, USA.
Make Yourself Comfortable by Sarah Vaughan peaks at No4 in the Billboard Singles Chart in the USA.
Mambo Italiano, a hit by Rosemary Clooney, is banned by ABC radio and TV in the USA because of its suggestive lyrics. (censorship)
Earl Bostic plays the last night of two weeks at The Crystal Lounge on Grand River Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
The Drifters and Erskine Hawkins play the sixth night of a week at The Howard Theater, Washington, DC, USA.
Elvis Presley plays on the Louisiana Hayride radio show, in the Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
This Ole
House, a Stuart
Hamblen composition, sung by Rosemary
Clooney tops the UK singles chart. Another version of the same
song by Billie
Anthony, is also in the Top Five. The song will reach No1 again
26 years later in a version by Shakin' Stevens.
Country music star Ray Price And His Band play at The Lyric Ballroom, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. (1954)/
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