January 1
In Los Angeles Louis Jordan, and His Tympany Five rock the
patrons at the Savoy Ballroom for the third straight night.
The Howard Theater In Washington, DC, welcomes Lloyd Price,
Blubber Johnson, the Turbans and the Cardinals through Thursday
January 3
Chuck Berry is booked for a week into Mandy's Lounge in Buffalo,
New York.
January 6
The Apollo Theater in New York City offers Joe Williams with the
Count Basie Band in a week-long engagement. Also, on the bill are
the Colts and comedian George Kirby
. Ray Charles and his orchestra start a three day engagement at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles, after which a he will appear at various locations on the West Coast for a week. Across town are Gene and Eunice at the Savoy Ballroom for a week-long engagement..
January 7
At Colombia Pictures in Hollywood, production starts on the film
"Rock Around the Clock," featuring the hit song of the
same name as well as the rock 'n' roll style of Bill Haley and
His Comets. Noted radio deejay Alan Freed is also featured in the
film and will act as technical consultant.
Chuck Berry is booked for a week into Mandy's Lounge in Buffalo, New York.
Early January
Eddie Cochran and Hank Cochran, billed as Cochran
Brothers, although they are not related, takes a regular job on
the "California Hayride" broadcast for two hours every
Saturday beginning at 8:00 p.m. over KOVR-TV, Stockton,
California,
January 7
Columbia Pictures begins production on "Rock Around the
Clock" featuring the song of the same name by Bill Haley and
His Comets. Alan Freed is also featured and serves as a technical
consultant. It was also announced that Freed had made a deal with
Columbia Records and WINS to take packaged
rock
and roll shows cross country to appear in local movie theaters.
January 10
Elvis begins his first recording session for RCA Victor. One of
the songs recorded is "Heartbreak Hotel". He left Sun
Records the previous November after 16 months on the label. The
first song recorded for RCA is "I Got A Woman".
January 11
Al Hibbler fronts the "All New Rock 'N' Roll Show" at
the the downtown Paramount Theater in Los Angeles. Appearing on
the bill are Shirley and Lee, LaVern Baker, the Robins and the El
Dorados. There are daily performances through January 18.
January 13
Ruth Brown headlines the week long revue at the Apollo Theater in
New York. Appearing with Brown are the Roy Milton combo, Charlie
and Ray, and the Five Keys.
In Los Angeles, the Midnighters perform for the crowd at the Savoy Ballroom for the weekend.
Lillian Briggs opens at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit for the week.
In Washington DC, the Howard Theater presents Pearl Bailey for the week.
Mid January
Fats Domino plays a short engagement at the Orchid Room
in Kansas City. He has recently been joined by longtime band
member Herb Hardesty on sax. Hardesty had previously left Domino
to start his on group.
B.B. King is touring Florida for a month.
Johnny Otis is working steadily with his band of performers in the Los Angeles area. Each Monday they play the Harlem Hot Spots; Tuesdays its the Oasis Club; and Wednesday finds them at the Rutland Inn. Every Friday, Otis hosts his local television show on KCOP Channel 13, at 8:00 P.M.
Clyde McPhatter and Ruth Brown are linked romantically in the music press after stories that Brown and her longtime husband Willis "Gatortale" Jackson had split. Reached at his home in Buffalo, McPhatter denied everything. It seems the rumors were fueled by a 1955 Atlantic Records' release from the duo, "Love Has Joined Us Together".
January 14
The Charms and Chuck Willis headline a weekend tour of
Virginia-area theaters, starting tonight with a show in Richmond.
The troupe moves on nightly to Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Newport.
Elvis Presley performs on the "The Louisiana Hayride" radio broadcast in Shreveport. Presley has been a regular on the show since November 1954, appearing almost every Saturday evening. This week he tours Texas, starting in San Antonio (15) and ending in Fort Worth (20)
In New Orleans the Spiders open a three-day, weekend run at the Dew Drop Cafe and Hotel at 2346 LaSalle. Regular entertainment is offered in the hotel's lounge Friday through Saturday nights.
January 16
Ray Charles takes his combo on a one-week tour of Texas.
Accompanying Charles are Etta James, Joe Turner, Floyd Dixon and
the Clovers.
January 18
Following the closing of their successful stint at the Flamingo
Hotel in Las Vegas, the Platters hit the road for fifteen
one-nighters.
January 19
Al Hibbler and his rock 'n' roll revue move up the coast to the
San Francisco Paramount Theater. Performances continue daily
through January 26.
January 20
Following her appearance at the Apollo, Ruth Brown takes off on a
week-long trek through Virginia. Meanwhile, the Apollo offers
Dinah Washington with Clifford Brown orchestra for the week.
This week, the Howard Theater in Washington DC plays host to the rhythm and blues style of the Charms, the Heartbeats, Nolan Lewis, Donna Hightower, and the Choker Campbell combo.
In Detroit, the Turbans, the Moonglows, and Faye Adams start five days in four different theaters belonging to Korman Theater Chain. Tonight, they're at the National Theater. Tomorrow it's the Duke Theater Theater, and Sunday its the Castle Theater on January 25-26 at the Booker T. Theater..
In Los Angeles, the 5-4 Club welcomes Smiley Lewis for three days. At the Savoy Ballroom, the "Lucky Seven Revue" features Little Willie John, Earl King, Champion Jack DuPree, Otis Williams and His Charms. The Lucky Seven had been on the road since late October 1955.
January 23
Ray Charles and Joe Turner continue to tour Louisiana. but
co-stars Etta James and the Clovers take off for the West Coast
where they will team with band leader Joe Morris.
In Washington DC, the Casino Royal at 14th and 11th Streets, offers the talents of Steve Gibson and His Red Caps for a week.
January 26
Buddy Holly's first professional recording session is in
Nashville at Bradley's Barn, a studio owned and operated by Owen
Bradley. First single to be released in April
January 27
In Detroit, the three day "Rock 'N' Rollarama" is a
complete sellout. The Fox Theater show features Bobby Charles,
the Cadillacs, the Cleftones, the Four Tunes, the Royal Jokers,
Bob Crewe, the Three Chuckles, and Della Reese. The shows are
produced by Mickey Shorr, WJBK deejay.
Also in Detroit, the Korman Theater chain plays host to a
week-long show by Sonny Til and His New Orioles, the Charms, the
Flamingos, the Sweethearts, Nolan Strong, and Dakota Stanton. The
acts will appear in different venues each night, starting at the
National Theater tonight.
The Howard Theater in Washington DC features Dinah Washington and
jazz R&B saxophonist Illinois Jacquet and his orchestra.
Bill Haley and His Comets take in $23,000 for two shows at the the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh.
In Los Angeles, the Clovers "wow" patrons at the 5-4
Ballroom, while at the Melodie Room, Joe Houston knocks'em dead
with his wild sax riffs.
January 28
Elvis Presley makes national television debut as a guest on
"Stage Show" on the CBS-TV network. He will return for
three consecutive Saturday nights. The show is produced by Jackie
Gleason and stars The Dorsey Brothers.
Carl Perkins appears on "The Big D Jamboree" radio show broadcast nationwide from Dallas.
Late January
Departing Kansas City, Fats Domino continues to tour throughout
the Midwest before returning to his hometown of New Orleans,
where, in early February, he will entertain during the Mardi Gras
celebration.
February 1
Ray Charles winds up his coast-to-coast tour with shows in
Florida.
Having complete production of the movie "Rock Around the Clock," which had a two week shooting schedule, Bill Haley and his Comets headline the "Biggest Rock 'n' Roll Show Tour of 56".as it begins a a week along the East Coast.
Rock 'n' Roll joins a professional ice skating show with the production of the "Rock 'n' Roll Revue" at the Roxy Theater in New York.
Screamin' Jay Hawkins begins a week at the Royal Theater in Baltimore.
Chuck Berry is booked into the Casa Loma Ballroom in St. Louis. This was Berry's first appearance in his hometown since "Maybellene" became a hit in 1955.
February 3
Leaving Washington's Howard Theater, Illinois Jacquet opens for a
week at the the Royal Theater in Baltimore.
Despite a raging snowstorm, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and members of The Big D Jamboree" had a sellout crowd of 1600 in San Antonio. The next night, they will do as well at the Field House in Odessa.
The Apollo Theater presents a week-long engagement by Jay McShann's combo with Priscilla Bowman, Joe Tex, Danny Overbean and the Ravens,
In Detroit, the National Theater hosts a three-day revue headlined by Big Maybelle. Also appearing is Nappy Brown, the Harptones and the Colts.
In Los Angeles, the 5-4 Ballroom offers Oscar McLollie, while the Savoy Ballroom presents T-Bone Walker and Charles Brown for the dance crowd.
February 5
Between the Saturday night television appearances on "Stage
Show," Elvis Presley undertakes a short tour along the
Eastern seaboard with a show tonight in Northfolk. During the
week he performs nightly in the Carolinas and Virginia.
Buddy Johnson, his sister Ella, and their orchestra entertain in New Orleans at the Coliseum Arena.
"The Biggest Rock 'n' Roll Show of 1956" stops for a performance at the National Guard Armory in Washington DC.
February 6
The Orchid Room in Kansas City plays host to the Diablos for an
lengthy engagement.
LaVern Baker opens at the Showboat in Philadelphia for a week.
Early February
Coasters sign with Atco, an Atlantic Records subsidiary. The
group is led by Bobby Nunn and Carl Gardner, two former members
of the Robins. Rounding out the quartet Are Billy Guy and Louis
Hughes.
The Harptones embark on a six-month European tour to promote their hits, including the smash 1953 release, "A Sunday Kind of Love".
Gleason's Bar of Music Club in Cleveland announces their bookings during the month of February include Little Walter, Joe Turner, Lowell Fulson and the Moonglows.
A new picture, Rhythm & Blues Review, the follow-up to the successful Rock & Roll Review, opens in 1,000 movie theaters.
February 10
Chuck Berry Makes his West Coast debut with a three-day run at
the Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles. Across town Smiley Lewis is at
the 5-4 Ballroom for the weekend.
Screamin' Jay Hawkins begins a three-day stand at the Bronx Opera House. Working with Hawkins are the Cadillacs, the Heartbeats, Ann Cole, and the Valentines.There are five shows Friday and six shows each Saturday and Sunday.
Roy Hamilton headlines a thirteen-day tour through the Midwest. Also on the bill are Shirley and Lee, Joe Jones, and the Erskine combo.
At the Apollo Theater in New York City, Lloyd Price headlines the revue that features the Drifters, Mickey and Sylvia, the Spiders, and Blubber Johnson. Price brings in $30,000 in ticket sales during the week.
The Flame Show Bar in Detroit welcomes Bill Doggett and Earl Bostic for a two-week run.
Jay McShann and his orchestra headline this week's revue at the Howard Theater in Washington DC. Also on stage are Priscilla Bowman, the Ravens, Danny Oversea, Joe Tex, and the Flamingos.
February 11
The Platters appear on "The Perry Como Show" on NBC-TV
singing "The Great Pretender".
Ray Charles starts a three-week tour of New York state that will run through the end of February.
February 12
As part of his stay at the Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles, Chuck
Berry appears on the Savoy-sponsored television show broadcast on
KCOP-TV from 8;00 to 8:30 p.m. Berry's tour will continue with
shows in San Jose and at the Filmore in San Francisco.
February 13
A package rhythm and blues tour featuring the Heartbeats, the El
Dorados, Jesse Powell, Gloria Mann, and Sam "The Man"
Taylor opens for a week in theaters in the New Jersey chain
operated by jointly by Stanley and Warner Brothers.
February 14
Mandy's Club in Buffalo, N.Y., brings Screamin; Jay Hawkins to
its stage for ten days.
Mid February
RCA Victor signs sixteen-year old Janis Martin to a
recording contract. Martin is described as the female Elvis
Presley.
It is announced that negotiations are almost complete with Bill Haley and His Comets to take their first overseas tour starting in June with shows at the London Palladium. Other engagements would include Liverpool. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle. However complications arise and the booking is postponed until the summer of 1957.
Several heretofore "pop" labels announce plans to enter the rhythm and blues/rock 'n' roll market in a big way. Mercury will use its jazz subsidiary, Wing Records, to try and gain ground lost during the past year. Mercury execs announce that Wing will record anything with a beat. Acts reassigned from Mercury to Wing include the Penguins, Buddy and Ella Johnson, Red Prysock and Joe Liggins. Pop artist previously on Wing we now record for the parent company. RCA Victor will act in a similar fashion with Grove Records, and Columbia putting new lift into Okeh Records.
John Lee Hooker is currently performing nightly at the club Basin Street in Detroit where he remains the headliner for a month
Pee Wee Crayton Is booked to play a month-long gig at the Melodie Room in Los Angeles.
February 17
Little Richard headlines the revue at the Apollo Theater in New
York. Also appearing on the bill are the Flamingos, Guitar Slim,
and Linda Hopkins. Richard performs "Tutti Fuitti,:"Get
Out of That Bed." and "Don't You Wish You Had a Man
Like Me?"
Bobby Charles opens for three days at the Ebony Club in Houston. He is riding the popularity of "See You Later Alligator" by Bill Haley and His Comets, which Charles wrote and released on Chess as "Later Alligator".
Vocalists Arthur Prysock and his brother, saxophonist, Red Prysock, join forces for a rare dual appearance at the Crossing Inn, in Trenton, New Jersey.
Its blues weekend at the Los Angeles-area clubs as the Savoy welcomes B.B. King for the first of two weekends and the 5-4 offers the duo of T-Bone Walker and Charles Brown.
The Moonglows, the Charms, the Colts, and Dinah Hightower, and Choker Campbell's band entertain patrons this week at the Howard Theater in Washington DC,
February 18
Carl Perkins performs in Dallas on the "Big D
Jamboree". after the show he is signs a long term contracted
with the a nationwide radio show.
The State Theater In Hartford welcomes LaVern Baker for a two-day engagement.
February 20
Squeezing in another week-long tour between his fourth
"Stage Show" on February 18 and a "Louisiana
Hayride: broadcast on February 25, Elvis Presley invades Florida.
Concert locations include Sarasota, Tampa and Jacksonville.
The Rivera Theater in Detroit hosts its first rock 'n' roll revue featuring Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Jewels, the Teen Queens, and the Five Keys, Ivory Joe Hunter, Bob Crewe, and the Ernie Freeman combo.
The Platters open a lengthy engagement at Miami's Club Calvert.
February 24
The Frankie Lymon show from the Rivera Theater on February 2
travels to Cleveland for a two-day engagement at the 105th Street
Theater. The show is produced by WERE, reportedly making it the
first of its kind in Cleveland sponsored by a pop deejay.
Roy Hamilton and his revue open for a week at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
New York's Apollo Theater offers a program of dance acts this week.
The 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles presents the Clovers for three
days.
February 25
Alan Freed is chairman for Teenagers March for Childhood
Nephrosis fund drive. In New York 11,000 rock and roll fans turn
out in a downpour to distribute 1/2 million pledge cards.
RCA Victor announces that Elvis Presley has six singles among the company's top selling twenty five records.
Late February
The Cavalcade of Rock 'n' Roll, is touring caravan
dominated by Vee-Jay Records artist, arrives on the West Coast
after successful engagements in Chicago, Milwaukee, Dallas,
Tucson, and Phoenix. Featured performers include, the Spaniels,
the El Dorados and Jimmy Reed.
RCA Victor announces that Elvis Presley has six singles among the company's top 25 selling records. This would include his hit "Heartbreak Hotel" as well as five previously available on Sun Records that RCA re-released.
As the Willows "Church Bells Are Ringing." begins to pick-up airplay, the title is changed to "Church Bells May Ring" to fit the actual words of the song.
March 2
The
only rhythm and blues group on this week's bill at the Apollo
Theater in New York is the Leaders..
In Los Angeles, Ruth Brown plays to a packed house each of her three nights at the 5-4 Ballroom. At the Savoy, Charles Brown plays his third weekend date in a month at this club.
Early March
Gelatin's Bar of Music in Cleveland announces that guest
artists for the month will include Chuck Willis, Muddy Waters,
and Charles Brown.
March 9
The
Los Angeles-area clubs offer a diverse group of acts this
weekend. The 5-4 Ballroom presents Amos Milburn and Etta James
while the Savoy Ballroom introduces the Vee-Jay Revue with Jimmy
Reed and the El Dorados.
Patrons at Detroit's Flame Show Bar welcome the Ravens for the week. Also in Detroit, the Club Basin Street presents the Drifters and the Charms for three days.
"
Slippin' and Slidin'" the flip side of Little Richard's
"Long Tall Sally" is picked number one new record on
NBC radio's "National Juke Box Fan Club".
March 10
Eddie Cochran is made a regular member of Hollywood Jubilee a
weekly show at Los Angeles' American Legion Stadium. Also
appearing are country/rockabilly artists Terry Fell, Tom T. Hall
and Jerry Capehart.
Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five guest on NBC-TV's The Perry Como Show.
March 11
The
Rhythm and Blues Revue opens a three-day run at the Ritz Theater
in New Orleans. Scheduled to appear are Joe Turner, Amos Milburn,
Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Faye
Adams, the Larks and Ruth Brown, among others.
In Albuquerque, Marvin and Johnny start a tour of the Southwest
covering New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma.
March 12
At
the Detroit Graystone Ballroom it's a battle between jazz and
blues as Dinah Washington, Little Willie John, T-Bone Walker and
the Clovers are pitted against a variety of contemporary jazz
artists. Little Willie John is currently booked locally at Club
Vegas.
March 14
Rock
Around the Clock is released. The picture features
Bill Haley and His Comets, Alan Freed, the Platters and Freddy
Bell and The Bellboys. Eighty percent of the movie is music
featuring 17 songs.
Elvis Presley starts six sold out shows over a two-day period at the Fox Theater in Atlanta.
Mid-March
Andre Williams and the Five Dollars are at Detroit's
Twenty Grand Recreation Center for the month.
March 16
Heading the revue at the Apollo Theater in New York are the Four
Aces. Other acts include Diahann Carroll and Lucky Millinder's
orchestra.
"The Battle of the Blues" at Los Angeles' Savoy Ballroom features Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Jimmy Witherspoon for the weekend. Charles Brown returns to the 5-4 Ballroom for three days.
Also in the Los Angeles area, Amos Milburn, and Etta James start three days at three different locations. Tonight's show is at the Valley Gardens Club in North Hollywood. On Saturday at the Long Beach Auditorium and Sunday at the Casino Gardens in Santa Monica.
The Drifters headline the Howard Theater's revue this week in Washington DC. Also appearing are Bo Diddley, Mickey and Sylvia and the Heartbeats.
The Flame Show Bar in Detroit is visited by the Orioles and Della
Reese
March 17
On
ABC-TV, Carl Perkins makes his first national guest appearance on
Red Foley's "National Jubilee".
After an absence of one month, Elvis Presley returns to the"Stage Show" on CBS-TV for a guest shot. He will make one last appearance on "Stage Show" next Saturday, March 24.
March 21
Carl
Perkins headlines a show at Norfolk, VA Auditorium. After
the show in route to a March 24 appearance on the Perry Como Show
on NBC-TV, Perkins seriously injured in an auto accident in
Dover, Delaware, suffering a fractured skull and broken
shoulder. Jay his brother and rhythm
guitarist neck is broken, Carl will be in the hospital until
April 10. Jay will never recover fully.
March 23
Alan Freed
stages a three day "Rock 'n' Roll Stage Show" at the
State Theater in Hartford. Although Freed denies that there was a
riot, eleven teenagers were arrested over the weekend.
In Harlem, the Apollo Theater offers a gospel and spiritual caravan.
At the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles, Ruth Brown entertains the crowd for three days.
Ivory Joe Hunter brings his smooth delivery to Detroit's Flame Show Bar for the week.
March 30
During Easter vacation, Alan Freed kicks off another ten-day run
at the Paramount in Brooklyn. Heading the show are the Platters.
The six-shows-a-day revue, with tickets ranging up to $2.50, will
gross $204,000.
T-Bone Walker and Arthur Prysock share the spotlight at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Al Hibbler headlines the review at the Regal Theater in Chicago. Others on the bill include the Orioles and Della Reese.
This Easter weekend also finds the Medallions, Jimmy Witherspoon and Chuck Higgins playing various clubs in the San Francisco area.
Louis Jordan brings his Tympany Five to Washington's Howard Theater this week.
Late March
The White Citizen's Council of Birmingham Alabama, starts a
campaign to rid all local jukeboxes of rock 'n' roll records.
April 1
Elvis has a
screen test with producer Hal Wallis of Paramount Pictures. The
result being he is signed to three year contract.
The first big caravan of spring hits the road with an Easter Sunday performance in Richmond, Virginia. The Rhythm and Blues of 1956 features Fats Domino, the Clovers, the Cadillacs, Little Richard, Ruth Brown, the Turbans, Ann Cole and Little Willie John.
April 2
Chuck Berry
heads the lineup at the Graystone Ballroom's rhythm and blues
revue in Detroit. Also on the bill are Big Maybelle, Andre
Williams and the Don Juans, Bobby"Mumbles"" Lewis,
Nolan Strong and the Diablos, Arthur Prysock, and Otis Williams
and His Charms.
April 3
Elvis Presley guests
on "The Milton Berle Show" telecast by NBC-TV from the
aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hancock which is docked at the San Diego
Naval Station. He will also perform a pair of shows at the San
Diego Arena April 4-5.
April 4
The Three
Chuckles and the Penguins headline "Rock-A-Rama" in
Albany, New, York.
April 6
In Los Angeles,
the Savoy Ballroom features Roy Milton for the weekend and the
5-4 Ballroom welcomes Richard Berry and the Ernie Freeman Trio.
April 7
The Platters make
their first national appearance, on CBS-TV's "Stage
Show".
Early April
Chuck Willis, a big name in r&b music during the early 1950s
on Okeh Records, but more recently in a slump so far as record
sales, signs with Atlantic Records in a move destined to
rejuvenate his flagging career. Going against the obvious
bad-luck connotations, Willis first Atlantic session was held in
New York on Friday the thirteenth.
Gleason's Bar of Music in Cleveland announces that it has booked the Five Keys, Guitar Slim, and Bo Diddley for appearances during the month.
Peewee Crayton starts a month of nightly appearances at Mike's Wakiki Club in Los Angeles.
In Kansas City, the Orchid Room reports booking Ray Charles, Charles Brown, Ruth Brown, Fats Domino, the Turbans, and the Cadillacs for appearances during the month.
During the month, the Johnny Burnette Trio from Memphis appears on three consecutive Sunday nights on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour on ABC-TV. Their rockabilly performances wins each weekly competition and places them on the roster for the show's final competition in September.
April 8
Elvis Presley
undertakes his first major tour of the year, beginning tonight in
Denver. Other dates include El Paso, San Antonio, Corpus Christi,
Waco, Wichita,Tulsa, Amarillo, Fort Worth, and Houston.
"The Rhythm and Blues Revue" is back in New Orleans for a three-day, weekend run at two theaters simultaneously as the performers shuttle between the Palace and Gem Theaters.
"The Rhythm and Blues of 1956" tour featuring Fats Domino plays the National Guard Armory in Washington DC.
April 10
"The Rhythm
and Blues of 1956" troupes of performers perform at the
Mutual Arena in Toronto, Canada. This is the first time such an
aggregation has performed in Ontario's capital city.
April 11
Eddie Fontaine
and Shirley Gunter and the Queens play Utica, New York. as part
of a twenty-one-day tour.
Earl Bostic starts a week-long engagement at Zardi's Jazzland in Hollywood.
April 13
In Los Angeles,
Lloyd Price visits the Savoy Ballroom for three days. At the5-4
Ballroom across town, Bill Doggett and Faye Adams are the
featured entertainers for the next two weekends.
Roy Hamilton and the Sensations appear at the Howard Theater in Washington DC for the week.
April 14
Alan Freed
brings his rock 'n' roll package show to Baltimore for the
evening.
April 15
Amid increasing
reports of a darker side of rock and roll, Alan Freed guests on
CBS-TV to state his views. Eric Sevareid, CBS commentator, hosts
the discussion which includes interviews with teenagers and
newsreel footage of a Freed sponsored show in Camden, New Jersey.
The rock 'n' roll show at the University of Detroit''s Memorial Hall features the Four Aces, Cathy Carr, Bobby Darin, and Otis Williams and His Charms.
Mid-April
Connie Francis graces the stage for two weeks at the White
Elephant Club in Pittsburgh.
The Royal Peacock Club in Atlanta plays host to Screamin' Jay Hawkins for two nights.
Mac Curtis, the pride of Weatherford, Texas, signs with King Records and cuts his first session in Dallas, at the Jim Beck Studios. King plans a mid-May release of Curtis' first disc.
April 16
ABC Radio debuts
"Rhythm Parade" a nationally broadcasted rock and roll
show from the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
April 19
After serving a
two-year hitch in the U.S. Army, Clyde McPhater is discharged
from the Army. McPhatter had continued to record during his
enlistment and his recent "Seven Days" on Atlantic is
popular on both r&b and pop markets.
April 20
The "Rhythm
and Blues of 1956" revue plays the Sportatorim in Dallas.
Across the Lone Star state, Gatemouth Brown and Earl King are at the Austin Sports Center.
In Chicago, Mickey and Sylvia and the Coasters headline a week-long revue at the Palace that also features Ella Johnson with the Buddy Johnson combo.
The Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles spotlights the Medallions, Young Jesse, Richard Berry, and Vernon Greene for the weekend.
The Apollo Theater in New York offers the sweet vocal style of Della Reese paired with the honking sax of Illinois Jacquet for patrons this week.
April 21
Recovered from
injuries in an auto accident last month, Carl Perkins headlines a
police benefit at the Stewart Auditorium in Beaumont, Texas. Also
on the bill are Johnny Cash and other stars of the"Big D
Jamboree" as they start a short tour of Texas.
April 22
Fats Domino
brings "The Rhythm and Blues of 1956" revue to the
Loyola Field House in New Orleans. Sharing the spotlight are Ruth
Brown, the Clovers, Little Willie John, Little Richard, the
Cadillacs and the Turbans.
April 23
Elvis Presley opens
for two weeks at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas. His
appearance is less then successful.
April 27
Roy Milton brings his
brand of swinging rhythm and blues to the 5-4 Ballroom in Los
Angeles. Also in town, the new show at the Savoy Ballroom
features Earl Bostic and Sarah Vaughan.
Joe Houston rocks the Rock and Roll Club in Pittsburgh. Houston is on a major tour of the East Coast and Midwest which will take him to Buffalo, Providence, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Baltimore.
The Apollo Theater in New York welcomes the Willows, T-Bone Walker, Big Maybelle, and Willis Jackson's combo.
April 28
Brenda Lee debuts on
the "Junior Ozark Jamboree," a spin-off of the popular
"Ozark Jamboree" broadcast from Springfield, Missouri.
At this time Lee is eleven and has a deejay show that originates
from her parents record shop in Augusta, Georgia.
April 29
"The Biggest Rock
'n' Roll Show of 56" takes in $129,000 during the eleven-day
period beginning today in Montreal, Canada. Tomorrow the revue is
in Toronto.
April 30
The Rover Boys open a
week-long run at Washington's Casino Club.
Late April
After auditioning more than 200 applicants for a spot on
their roster as the "next Elvis Presley," Capital
Records signs twenty-one-one-year old Gene Vincent from Norfolk,
Virginia.
May 1
"The Biggest Rock
'n' Roll Show of 1956" continues to play to packed houses
with a show tonight in Rochester, This week the troupe will play
Buffalo (2), Pittsburgh (3), and Columbus, Ohio (4).
May 4
Dinah Washington and
the Charms are featured at the Apollo Theater in New York for the
week.
Lowell Fulson and and the Moonglows heat up the action at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles for the next three days. Also in town, Oscar McLollie and the Cliques are at the Savoy Ballroom.
At Detroit's Flame Show Bar, Roy Hamilton and Gloria Lynne bring their blends of "pop blues" to a week-long engagement
May 5
After six weeks of
recuperation Carl Perkins returns to the "Big D
Jamboree" as a regular.
May 16
Fats Domino's
"Rhythm and Blues of 1956" tour winds up with a show in
Birmingham, Alabama. After leaving Toronto on April 10, the
package made dates in the Midwest and Texas before swinging
through the Southeast, eventually dropping as far south as New
Orleans for two shows at Loyola University's Field House.
The Olympia Theater in Detroit hosts "The Biggest Rock 'n' Roll Show of 1956".
Early May
The Cochran Brothers (Eddie and Hank) start a week-long tour of
Hawaii as the opening act for country star Lefty Frizell.
Big Jay McNeely is on the West Coast playing dates in San Diego, Oceanside, Las Vegas, Stockton, Phoenix, San Jose, and Sacramento.
May 6
Al Hibbler, Mickey and
Sylvia and the Coasters star for the week at New York's Apollo
Theater.
Little Richard brings his outrageous brand of rock 'n' roll to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles as he headlines a show revue featuring the Turks, the Robins, and Marvin and Johnny.
Also in Los Angeles this weekend, the Savoy offers Lloyd Price for three days while the 5-4 Ballroom presents Roy Milton and his combo.
The Flame Show Bar in Detroit welcomes Billie Holiday for the week.
The Clovers, Ivory Joe Hunter, and the Isley Brothers entertain the crowd this week at Washington's Howard Theater.
May 1 2
Alan Freed's
"Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party" on CBS-radio features the
Robins, Kitty White, and Count Basie orchestra.
May 13
Elvis Presley begins
another lengthy tour today with an afternoon concert in St. Paul
and evening performance across the Mississippi River in
Minneapolis.
Mid-May
Sun Records signs Wink, Texas rockabilly artists Roy
Orbison and the Teen Kings Orbison. The band previously released
"Ooby Dooby" on the small Jewel label and it had
recently started picking up some West Texas action.. Sam Phillips
decides to have Orbison re-record the number for Sun, and release
it for Sun, and this version is released on the Sun Label.
Ffirst live show in Myrtle Beach, NC
Pee Wee Crayton leaves Los Angeles for a Midwestern tour, stopping in Coffeyville and Wichita, Kansas ; Chicago , Detroit, and Buffalo.
May 18
Attesting to the
rising popularity of rock 'n' roll, the first national convention
of the National Association of Jazz and Rhythm and Blues Disc
Jockeys meets in Chicago and will run through May 20.
Appearing this this weekend at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles, Lowell Fulson and the Moonglows make a return engagement. Marvin and Johnny, the Chimes, and Wynina Carr are also at the Savoy.
In New York, the Midnighters share the spotlight with Cab Calloway at the the Apollo Theater.
Dinah Washington opens a two-week stand at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
May 19
The "Big D
Jamboree" is headlined by Carl Perkins and Ferlin Huskey.
May 20
Big Jay McNeeley
performs at the Sirocco Club in Los Angeles.
May 21
Little Willie John
entertains the crowd at the Motor City Arena in Detroit.
May 22
Joe Houston entertains
the crowd at the American Legion Hall in Los Angeles.
May 25
The Howard Theater in
Washington DC offers the talented of Ruth Brown, the Cadillacs,
the Turbans, and Choker Campbell's band for fans this week
In New York, the Apollo Theater plays host to the Clovers, Pee Wee Crayton, and the Paul Williams Band.
The Five Keys and Clifton Chenier, the king of zydeco music, perform for the crowd at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles this weekend
May 26
Carl Perkins makes a
guest appearance on "the Perry Como Show" on NBC-TV. He
had been en route to New York the previous March to appear on the
show when he was in an auto accident that sidelined his career.
May 28
The Graystone Ballroom
in Detroit features a "Jazz vs Rock and Roll" show with
B.B. King, the Royal Jokers, and the Count Basie orchestra with
Joe Williams.
Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash begin a one-week tour of the Memphis area. Also appearing are Warren Smith, Eddy Bond,, and Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings.
May 30
Louis Jordan plays a
one night stand at the Savoy Ballroom in Los
Angeles.
June 1
The Cadillacs headline
the show at the Apollo Theater in New York. Sharing the bill are
Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Shirley Gunter and the Queens, the
Cookies, and the Flairs featuring Cornell Gunter Shirley's
brother.
Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five tear up the house during their opening stay at Zardi's Jazzland in Los Angeles. Also in town and opening tonight for the week-end are Sonny Thompson, with Lula Reed and the Champions at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 3
Bill Haley and "The
Biggest Rock 'n' Roll Show of 1956" stop at the Washington
DC's National Guard Armory for two shows.
June 4
Gene Vincent and the
Blue Caps play their first live gig in Myrtle Beach, North
Carolina.
June 5
Elvis Presley appears
on ABC-TV's Milton Berle Show. He performs a bump and grind
version of "Hound Dog" which is estimated to been
viewed by 25% of the American population and brings howls of
protest from critics.
Bill Haley and His Comets end a tour with a show in Charleston, West Virginia.
June 6
Roy Hamilton cancels
his upcoming performance at the Savoy Ballroom in Los Angels. He
is hospitalized in New York after being diagnosed with a lung
ailment.
June 7
Smiley Lewis
entertains the midway throng at New Orleans' Lincoln Beach.
June 8
This week, the Apollo
Theater plays host to Clyde McPhatter. Also appearing on the bill
are Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Pretenders, the
Valentines, the Cleftones and the Sil Austin combo.
The Cadillacs stay a three-night stint at the Motorama, Detroit's premier auto convention.
Amos Milburn and Eddie Bo are held over for a second weekend at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles. Added to the bill are the Teen Queens.
June 9
"Stage.
Show", CBS-TV's Saturday night variety showcase, features
the Colts, in their premier television appearance.
June 11
Shirley and Lee and
the Joe Jones combo wrap up a series of East Coast one-nighters
with a show at Rocky, Mount North Carolina.
June 15
This week New York's
Apollo Theater offers a gospel and spiritual caravan,
Fats Domino rips through a weekend engagement at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles.
June 16
Connie Francis guests
on "Stage Show" on CBS-TV.
Bill Haley and His Comets are booked to play a week in Canada, starting with tonight's show in Winnipeg. Other dates are Melville, Saskatchewan (18), Regina (19), Saskatoon (20), Edmonton (21), Calgary (22) Letherbridge, Alberta (23).
June 18
Joe Houston and his
orchestra perform at the Hollywood Palladium for the Temple Dance
League.
Chuck Berry is booked into the Rock and Roll Club in Pittsburgh for the week.
The Platters open at the Washington DC's Casino Royal for the week.
June 21
Clarence
"Gatemouth" Brown entertains the crowd at New Orleans's
Lincoln Beach midway.
In Detroit The Fox Theater presents a revue headlined by LaVern Baker, Also performing are Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Rover Boys, the Cleftones, Lonnie Donegan, the Royal Jokers, the Johnny Burnette Trio, the Nightcaps, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and the Pretenders.
June 22
The Heartbreakers and
the Moonglows, backed by the Dizzy Gillipsie combo, are the
week's fare at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Elvis Presley begins a week-long tour of the Southeast with a three-day stand at the Paramount Theater in Atlanta, followed by concerts in Savannah (25); Charlotte (26); Augusta (27); Charlotte again (28); and Richmond (30).
Washington DC's Howard Theater offers a gospel revue headlined by the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi for patrons this week.
June 24
In New Orleans, the
Platters, Little Willie John, the Orioles, and James Brown and
the Famous Flames entertain at a dance at the Labor Union Hall.
June 25
In Florida, Bo Diddley
opens for a week at the Palms Club in Hallandale.
June 27
In New Orleans, Otis
Williams and the Charms are the special guest at Lincoln Beach.
June 28
The midway crowd at
Lincoln Beach in New Orleans welcomes Big Boy Myles and the
Upsetters.
June 29
The Cadillacs and
LaVern Baker headline this week's show at the Apollo Theater in
New York. Filling out the bill are the Jayhawks, the Schoolboys,
the Bop-Chords, Robert and Johnny, Billy "Blue" Bland,
the Cookies, and the Sensations.
Little Willie John begins a three-day engagement at the New Orleans' Dew Drop Cafe.
In Los Angeles, the midnight-to-dawn "Rhythm and Blues Revue" at the Hill Street Theater features Nat King Cole, Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, Cab Calloway, Faye Adams, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Lionel Hampton, and Amos Milburn.
June 30
The Platters make an
appearance on CBS-TVs "Stage Show".
On CBS-radio, LaVern Baker and the Cadillacs guest Alan Freed's "Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party". The show is sponsored by Camel cigarettes and is aired on CBS radio 900-9:30 p,m..
Ray Charles appears at the Masonic Temple in Algiers, Louisiana.
Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings appear on the "Ed Sullivan Show" on CBS-TV.
At Lake Tahoe, California, Chuck Higgins play's the area's first rock 'n' roll dance, held at American Legion Hall.
Ray Charles appears at the Masonic Temple in Algiers Louisiana.
Late June
The summer beach season in Wildwood, New Jersey, will
feature several rock 'n' rollers at the local clubs. The Riptide
has booked the Jodimars and Doc Starkes and the Nightriders. The
Treniers will play six weeks at the Beachcomber, and the Ravens
are set for Club Esquire.
As the new single by the Five Satins begins to sell, the title is changed from "I'll Remember (In the Still of the Night)" to the more concise "In the Still of the Night". Some pressings of the the record also list the group simply as the Satins.
July 1
Elvis appears on NBC-TVs
"The Steve Allen Show". Aware of the Berle
controversy Elvis is dressed in a tuxedo and sings to a basset
hound.
July 2
Carl Perkins headlines
the "Top Record Tour" as it opens a five-week road trip
in Columbia, South Carolina. Also featured are Frankie Lymon and
the Teenagers, Chuck Berry, Cathy Carr, Shirley and Lee, and
Bobby Charles.
At the RCA Victor studio in New York, Elvis records "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel". The coupling of these two songs into a single 45 r.p.m. release will result in Elvis. biggest hit record, selling an estimated five million copies in the United States upon its initial release.
July 6
In New York Little
Richard starts a frantic week at the Zanzibar Club In Buffalo.
Nightly he will break all-time attendance figures, drawing many
patrons from Canada.
The Apollo Theater in New York offers another rhythm and blues bill this week, with Big John Greer's combo backing Little Jimmy Scott, the Wheels, and the Hamilton Sisters.
In New Orleans, at the legendary Dew Drop Hotel and Cafe, Bobby Marchan entertains the crowd for two nights. Marchan will achieve fame as member Huey Smith and the Clowns as well for his solo recordings.
July 7
At 11:15 p.m., following a
concert by Fats Domino at the Palomar Garden Ballroom in San
Jose, CA. pandemonium breaks out and a riot ensues. The promoter
of the show claims the ruckus was not a result of over exuberance
by the show's 2500 patrons, but teenage toughs beer bottles into
the throng.
Johnny Cash makes his first appearance on "The Grand Ole Opry" broadcast nationally over radio from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
July 9
In Florida, Larry
Birdsong opens for the week at the Palms Club.
July 13
The Five Keys are the
only R&B group on the bill this week at the Apollo Theater in
New York, as the house also offers "The Rhythm on Ice"
package.
This week Bill Doggett and his combo entertain at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
July 16
Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens hosts
the largest crowd up to this time when Little Richard joins the
"Top Record Stars" package. Attendance is pegged at
more than 13,000.
July 17
The "Top Record Stars"
package without the benefit of Little Richard tonight rocks
Canton, Ohio, pulling in almost 4,000 fans.
July 19
Jimmy Beasley plays Club Harlem in
Los Angeles.
July 20
As an after effect of the riot
that followed the show in San Jose on July 8, Fats Domino finds
his scheduled show for Stockton, California cancelled. Hurriedly,
the promoter moves the show to nearby Tracy without further
incident.
The Flame Show Bar in Detroit offers the blues guitar duo of T-Bone Walker and Pee Wee Crayton for patrons this week.
July 22
In Detroit, the Hollywood Theater
offers the "Top Record Show" featuring Carl Perkins,
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Al Hibbler, Cathy Carr, Chuck
Berry, Shirley and Lee, Bobby Charles, Della Reese, the Cleftones
and the Spaniels.
July 25
Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings
along with Warren Smith, are currently touring through Arkansas,
Tennessee. and Mississippi. Tonight they are in Grenada,
Mississippi.
July 26
The Hawkettes entertain their fans
at the annual Russell Ice Cream Company's "Rock and Roll
Night in New Orleans. The group was comprised of several local
brothers named Neville.
Joe Turner Celebrates twenty-five years in show business with a performance at the Little Harlem Club in Los Angeles.
July 28
Norman Grants presents his seventh
annual rhythm and blues jubilee at the Shrine Auditorium in Los
Angeles. Among those appearing are B.B. King, Ernie Freeman, the
Medallions, the Dreamers, and Shirley Gunter.
Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps make their national television debut singing "Be-Bop-A-Lula" on the "Perry Como Show" on NBC-TV
In Los Angeles, the "Blues Jubilee" plays the Shrine Auditorium. Spotlighted are Fats Domino, the Coasters, Clyde McPhatter. the Six Teens, the Teen Queens, the Turks, and Oscar McLollie.
July 29
In an effort to show fans aren't
at the root of a recent rash of riots connected with rock 'n'
roll shows, Fats Domino is re-booked into the Palamor Gardens in
San Jose. attendance was limited to those over 18 years of age
and there wasn't a hint of trouble.
Little Richard and his band perform at the dance at the Labor Union Hall in New Orleans.
July 30
At the Casino Royal In Washington,
D.C. a rhythm and blue revue is offered for the first time. Acts
appearing three times nightly are Clyde McPhatter, LaVern Baker,
the Jayhawks, and the Rainbows with Don Covay, The Penguins were
also originally booked for this date but they did not appear.
August 3
Elvis Presley roars through Florida on a ten-day swing, beginning
to night in Miami where he will perform six shows in two days.
Other concerts on his short tour include Tampa (5), Lakeland (6),
St. Petersburg (7), Orlando (8), Daytona Beach (9), Jacksonville
(10-11) and New Orleans (12).
" The Steve Allen Show" on NBC-TV welcomes Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five who perform live from San Francisco.
The Howard Theater in Washington D.C. presents the Platters and
the Blockbusters for the week.
August 6
Production begins on "Rock. Rock, Rock" a rock and roll
movie starring Alan Freed, Bill Haley and His Comets. Also
appearing are Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Chuck Berry, the
Flamingos and LaVern Baker.
Early August
Little Richard wins the Cash Box magazine
deejay poll as the Most Outstanding up and Coming Male Artist.
In Detroit. the Royal Jokers are currently at the Rendezvous Club.
August 6
Shirley and Lee bring their show to New Orleans' Lincoln Beach as
the evening's entertainment.
August 10
The
Ernie Freeman Combo entertains at the Backstage Club in Los
Angeles for the next few weeks.
August 12
The Platters guest spot on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on
CBS-TV.
Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, Faron Young, and Roy Orbison start a short jaunt through West Texas that kicks off tonight with a show in El Paso.
Still in New Orleans, Shirley and Lee perform at the Blue Eagle Club.
August 13
In Florida, Joe Turner starts a week's engagement at the Palms
Club in Hallandale.
Mid-August
The Penguins re-record "Earth Angel" for
Mercury in an attempt to cash in on renewed attention for the
song generated by Buchanan and Goodman's "Flying
Saucers" The release of the new version will come during the
third week of August. Dootone Records is also rushing the
original version of "Earth Angel" into re-release.
Carl Perkins plays a delayed engagenment in Pittsburgh at the Copa. Perkins' injuries suffered in his March auto accident necessitated the rebooking. As per the original contract, Perkins received $750 a night instead of his current salary.
August 17
The Apollo Theater In New York, reopens after a month's
renovation with Clyde McPhatter and the El Dorados sharing the
bill for a week.
Louis Jordan starts the first of two weekend stands at the Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles.
August 18
The Roy Orbison-Johnny Cash -Johnny Horton-Faron Young
aggregation opens a six-day tour of Ontario, Canada.
August 19
The Johnny Otis Show plays an afternoon show at the Oasis
Waitress Club in Los Angeles.
August 20
The Palms Club in Hallandale hosts the Cadillacs for a week.
Sonny Burgess and the Pacers appear at the Newport High School Auditorium
August 21
Dinah Washington is booked at Zardi's Jazzland in Los Angeles for
an extended engagement.
August 22
Elvis
Presley begins filming "The Reno Brothers" for 20th
Century Fox. The movie will be renamed "Love Me
Tender".
August 24
Tommy "Dr. Jive" Samuels, New York deejay, produces
this weeks Apollo Theater revue featuring the Clovers, Do
Diddley, the Valentines, the Five Satins, Charlie and Ray, Big
Maybelle, and the Channels.
Big Jay McNeeey is the guest artist at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
In Washington D.C., the Howard Theater offers the Five Keys, Faye Adams, Guitar Slim, and the Rainbows for patrons this week.
August 25
Bill Haley and His Comets wind up a record-breaking engagement at
the Steel Pier in Atlantic City.
August 26
The dance crowd at the Blue Eagle Club in New Orleans welcomes
Little Junior Parker and Bobby "Blue" Bland.
In Detroit, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, and Faron Young play a one night stand.
August 27
Ruth Brown visits Hallandale's Palms Club in for the week.
August 29
Alan Fred presents his "Second Anniversary Rock and Roll'
show at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater, celebrating his move to
New York from Cleveland in 1954. Headlining the production are
Fats Domino, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Harptones, Joe
Turner, the Cleftones, and the Penguins.
August 31
Clyde McPhatter, Lavern Baker, and the Drifters appear at the
Howard Theater in Washington D.C. for one week.
September 1
The Hacienda Hotel Chain offers an exclusive performance contract
to Billy Ward and His Dominoes based on their four-week, sold-out
engagement at the Hacienda in Fresno, California. Ward currently
starring at Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe, is noncommittal.
September 2
Fats Domino guests on "The Steve Allen Show".
Charles Brown brings his smooth brand of blues to the Labor Union Hall in New Orleans.
Little Richard plays an afternoon concert at Los Angeles Wrigley Field.
September 8
The Diamonds perform on "The Perry Como Show; on NBC-TV.
Early September
Gene Vincent starts his first professional tour with bookings in
Pennsylvania, New York and New England.
September 9
Elvis Presley makes the first of three historic appearances on
CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show". Sullivan, recuperating
from a recent auto accident is absent, and his place is taken by
Charles Laughton.
On ABC-TV, The Johnny Burnette Trio wins second place in the finals of "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour".
On CBS-radio, the "Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party" is visited by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Lavern Baker and Sam "The Man" Taylor.
In Texas, Faron Young, Johnny Cash, Sonny James, Johnny Horton, Charlene Arthur, and Roy Orison, begin an extended tour which will take them to Colorado, Florida and Tennessee.
September 10
In Florida, Little Walter blows the roof off the Palms Club in
Hallendale during a week long engagement.
September 12
Bill Haley and His Comets start a three-day engagement at the
North Carolina State Fair in Gastonia.
September 14
The Teenagers headline an all-group bill at New York's
Apollo Theater this week. Also appearing are the Harptones, the
Cleftones and the Valentines.
For the next three nights, Little Richard brings down the house at the Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles.
In Detroit, Louis Jordan performs at the Flame Show Bar for the coming week.
Lloyd Price headlines this week's show at the Howard Theater in Washington D.C.
Mid-September
In Rhode Island, Fats Domino's concert at the Enlisted
Men's Club at the Newport Naval Station is marred by a riot
following the show as a thousand men wreck the club after the
lights are suddenly doused. Domino blames the altercation on the
fact that beer is served in quart bottles and not paper cups. No
performer was injured although Domino lost a suitcase with $400
worth of stage clothes.
The Falcons are currently in the middle of an extended engagement at Lee's Club Sensation in Detroit.
September 17
The Palms Club in Hallendale, Florida greets Ray Charles
for a wseek-long stay.
Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps open for a week stay at the Casino Royal in Washington.
September 2 1
At New York's Apollo Theater, The Platters headline a bill that
also includes Young Jesse.
Dinah Washington brings her polished style to the Flame Show Bar in Detroit,
Chuck Berry shares the spotlight with Buddy and Ella Johnson, Shirley and Lee, and the G-Clefs this week at the Howard Theater Theater in Washington D.C..
September 24
Guitar Slim brings his outrageous act to the Palms Club in
Hallendale, Florida for the week.
Following altercations in Newport, this week Fats Domino is booked for three shows a night at the Casino Royal in Washington, DC.
Billy Ward and His Dominoes open a week-long engagement at Zard's Jazzland in Los Angeles.
At Detroit's Graystone Ballroom, Dinah Washington makes an appearance on a show featuring Little Willie John, Joe Turner, Big Jay McNeeley, and the Five Keys.
September 25
The Leona Theater in Pittsburgh presents a spectaculars show
featuring LaVern Baker, Carl Perkins, the Shepherd Sister, the
Turbans, Joe Turner and the Moonglows.
Elvis Presley performs two concerts in his birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi. The grandstand at the Mississippi-Alabama Dairy Show and Fair holds 7,000 but an estimated 50,000 fans try to attend.
September 27
In Detroit, the Diablos and the Serenaders entertain at the
Linwood Theater.
September 28
Having completed their summer tour of fair grounds, Bill Haley
and His Comets are off on another string of theater one-nighters.
this one lasting until December 2.
Ruth Brown headlines this week's revue at the Apollo Theater. Also on the bill are the Cadets, the Magnificents, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
Detroit's Flame Show Bar welcomes Roy Milton and his band for the week.
In Hollywood, Gene Vincent headlines a show that also features the Coasters, and Alis Lesley, who bills herself as the "Female Elvis Presley".
September 29
Carl Perkins cancels hie regular appearance on the "Big D
Jamboree" to fulfill and engagement in California.
Late September
Della Reese is currently performing nightly at the Club
Rendezvous in Detroit.
October 1
In Florida, Shirley and Lee open for a week at the Palms Club in
Hallendale.
Steve Gibson and the Red Caps, featuring Damita Jo, open for a week at the Casino Royal in Washington.
October 5
The Turbans represent the only rhythm and blues act at the
Apollo Theater in New York this week as the house offers a Latin
revue.
In Washington, the Howard Theater presents the Cardinals, the Cleftones, Al Jackson, and Erskine Hawkins' orchestra for the week.
October 7
Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Junior Parker, and Buddy Ace
perform at the Blue Eagle Hall in New Orleans.
Early October
After enjoying an unprecedented hit with their unique
novelty record "The Flying Saucer", Bill Buchanan and
Dickie Goodman are sued by two music publishers representing five
different songs heard on the disk. The publishers ask for court
for an accounting of profits and $100,000 in damages.
October 11
Following a ten-day hiatus, Bill Haley-Platters tour rolls on
through December 2.
Elvis Presley rips through Texas on a five-day jaunt, opening tonight in Dallas, and continuing in Waco, Houston, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.
October 12
Fats Domino opens for a week at the Twin Coaches Club in Belle
Vernon, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.
The Apollo Theater in New York presents a week-long revue heavy on rhythm and blues, featuring the Dells, the Channels, Robert and Johnny, the Solitaires, the Flamingos, the Pearls, Ruth McFadden, Titus Turner, and the Velours.
Steve Gibson and the Red Caps start a two-week gig at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
October 13
Carl Perkins makes regularly scheduled appearance on the
"Big D Jamboree" in Dallas.
October 14
A country revue featuring Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison plays a
show in Memphis. The troupe has just visited cities throughout
Florida and will remain in Tennessee through October 23 before
moving to New Mexico and West Texas through early November.
Johnny Otis brings his revue to the Sunday Matinee at the Club Oasis in Los Angeles.
Bill Haley and His Comets perform at the Fair Park Auditorium in Lubbock, Texas.
Mid-October
The "Top Ten Revue of 1956" is playing Texas,
with stops in San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. Performers
scheduled to appear are Little Richard, Joe Turner, Bill Doggett,
the Moonglows, the Five Keys, Faye Adams, Etta James, the Robins,
Big Jay McNeeley's orchestra.
The Mello-Tones are currently booked into Lee's Club Sensation in Detroit
October 19
The Apollo Theater premiers the rhythm and blues movie.
"Rockin' the Blues". The picture has vocal spots
featuring the Harptones, the Wanders, and the Hurricanes.
Bo Diddley rocks the house for a week at the Howard Theater in Washington D.C.. Sharing the spotlight are the Cadets and Roy Milton and his band.
October 20
The "Biggest Show of 1956" plays the Olympia Theater in
Detroit. Featured performers are Bill Haley and His Comets, the
Platters, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Clyde McPhatter, the
Clovers, Chuck Berry, Shirley and Lee, Shirley Gunter, the
Flairs, and Ella and Buddy Johnson.
October 21
B.B. King plays the Sunday dance party at the New Orleans' Blue
Eagle Hall.
October 26
Pearl Bailey, fronting husband Louis Bellson's orchestra, starts
a week at the Apollo Theater in New York.
The offering at Detroit's Flame Show Bar for the next two weeks is Billy Williams Quartet.
October 27
Carl Perkins starts a series of engagements in the Toronto area.
Tonight's show at the Uptown Theater features the Cleftones, the
Drifters. the G-Clefs, along with Eileen Rogers and Otis Rush,
and Cathy Carr.
Pee Wee Crayton begins an extended engagement at Lee's Club Sensation in Detroit.
October 28
Elvis Presley appears on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on
CBS-TV for a second time.
October 29
This week the, the brothers Red and Arthur Prysock stop by the
Palms Club in Hallendale, Florida.
The Graystone Ballroom in Detroit offers the talents of Bo Diddley, the Cadets, Joe Williams and Count Basie's orchestra.
November 2
"Dr. Jive's All Star Rhythm and Blues Caravan" opens a
week-long run in Washington, DC's Howard Theater. Appearing are
the Dells, the El Dorados, the Debutantes, the Solitaires,
Screamin' Jay Hawkins,. Robert and Johnny, and Eddie Cooley and
the Dimples.
November 3
The Falcons open at the Club Rendezvous in Detroit for the week.
November 8
Clarence
"Gatemouth" Brown brings his brand of boogie-blues to
the Blue Eagle Hall in New Orleans for Thursday night.
November 9
The headliners at the Apollo Theater this week in New York are
the Coasters. Sharing the spotlight are the Cardinals, Gloria
Lynn, Della Reese, and Erskine Hawkins and his orchestra.
November 10
In Dallas, Carl Perkins, headlines KRLD's "Big D
Jamboree".
In Detroit, Andre Williams and the Five Coins start a week-long stand at the Club Rendezvous.
November 13
The case against Buchanan and Goodman goes to trial in New York
City. The duo is being sued over their use of snippets of songs
of other record companies' songs in "Flying Saucers"
and "Flying Saucers Two".
November 15
The
top stars of Memphis' own Sun Records, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison,
and Warren Smith, open a five-day run at the hometown Maleo
Theater.
Mid-November
Despite a blinding eight-hour storm, it is standing room
only when Bill Haley and his Comets play Denver. Supporting acts
are Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Chuck Berry, the Platters,
Shirley and Lee, the Clovers, and the Flairs,
Fats Domino begins a lengthy stay at the Neapolitan City showroom in New York City.
November 16
"Dr. Jive's Rhythm and Blues Caravan" fills the bill at
New York City's Apollo Theater. The show features the Dells,
Robert and Johnny, the Chips, the Heartbreakers, Screamin' Jay
Hawkins, the Schoolboys, Ann Cole, Bo Diddley, and the Cardinals.
Downtown at the Times Square Paramount Theater in New York, Elvis Presley's first picture, "Love Me Tender", has its premier. The national release comes on November 21.
The Flame Show Bar in Detroit presents Gene and Eunice for the coming week.
Pearl Bailey and Louis Bellson's orchestra entertains at the Howard Theater in Washington, D.C.
November 17
Promoting her new release, "Hot Dog! That Made He Mad"
Wanda Jackson starts a week-long tour of the Midwest with a
rockin' show in Kansas City. On succeeding nights she will appear
in St. Joseph, Topeka, Omaha, Independence, Wichita, and
Hutchinson, Kansas.
In New Jersey, Ray Charles romps through concert at the Laurel Springs Auditorium.
NBC-TV welcome Brenda Lee to "The Perry Como Show".
November 18
Della Reese and Otis Wiliams and His Charms perform for the
Sunday dance at Detroit's Graystone Ballroom.
CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show" brings Fats Domino to the show to sing "Blueberry Hill".
November 19
The Esquires open the week at Washington D.C.'s Casino Royal.
November 21
National release of Love Me Tender.
November 22
This Thanksgiving finds Elvis Presley in Toledo for a concert. He
will also play Cleveland (24) and Louisville (26) while in the
area.
November 23
Guitar Slim brings his antics to Detroit's Flame Show Bar for a
week.
Joe Turner, the Five Satins, Etta James, and Ann Cole entertain patrons at the Howard Theater in Washington, D.C.this week.
November 30
At the Apollo this week are the G-Clefs, the Five Satins, Frankie
Brunson, Jo Ann Campbell, and the El Dorados.
At Detroit's Flame Show Bar, B.B. King performs for the next ten days.
December 1
John Lee Hooker appears at the Apex Bar in Detroit.
December 2
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown returns to the Blue Eagle in
New Orleans.
December 4
At the Paramount Theater in Los Angeles, "The Greatest Stage
Show of '56" features the Platters, the Penguins, the Teen
Queens, and the Blockbusters.
Carl Perkins is finishing a session at the Sun Studios with Jerry
Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison when Elvis Presley stops by. An impromptu
jam session is held. and it is taped the "Million Dollar
Quartet:.
December 5
The motion picture Rock, Rock, Rock opens nationally.
December 7
"Rhythm and Blues Week" is initiated at the Apollo
Theater in New York. Featured performers are the Clovers, Big
Maybelle, Etta James and the Peaches with the James Moody Band.
The live acts alternate with showings of the picture "Rhythm
and Blues Review".
At the Baby Grand Club in New York, the show is headlined by Gene and Eunice.
New York's new rock 'n' roll nightspot. Neapolitan Club, hosts Clyde McPhatter, the Heartbeats, Dellla Reese, and Jimmy Cavello and the House Rockers.
Early December
In Memphis B.B. King forms his own record label, Blue
Boy Kingdom. Because King is under contract with R.P.M. Records,
the label will seek out new talent for its roster.
Gene Vincent cancels a month-long engagement at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas after the first week because he is suffering pains in his leg. He injured the shinbone in a motorcycle accident in 1955 while serving as a dispatch rider in the Navy. He enters the Veteran's Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, for treatment. It is reported in the music press that he will remain in the hospital for three months,
December 14
Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Warren Smith play a show in
Huntsville, Alabama. The next evening finds them in nearby
Sheffield.
The Blue Eagle Hall in New Orleans welcomes the blues package of Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Junior Parker and Buddy Ace back for the second time in two months.
December 21
Alan Freed's now annual Christmas-week show at the Brooklyn
Paramount again sets box office records, Among the artist
appearing are Shirley and Lee, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Mac Curtis,
Jesse Belvin, the Moonglows, the Heartbeats, the Dells, George
Hamilton IV, the G-Clefs, Teddy Randazzo.
The Apollo Theater's Christmas week show has a gospel flavor as it headlines the Golden Gate Quartet.
December 22
In New Orleans, Little Walter romps through an evening at the
Blue Eagle Hall.
December 23
Ray Charles and his orchestra entertains at the Labor Union Hall
in New Orleans.
Little Richard performs at the Elks Auditorium in Los Angeles.
December 25
Christmas day in Detroit brings the opening of a week-long run of
a rock 'n' roll show and film package at the Fox Theater. Among
those performing are are Ivory Joe Hunter, Bo Diddley, the Royal
Jokers, Guy Mitchell, Della Reese, Bunny Paul,, Bobby
"Mumbles" Lewis, the Nitecaps, and the Three
Chuckles. On the screen is "That Girl Can't Help It,"
which has music by Little Richard, Fats Domino, Eddie Cochran,
Gene Vincent, and the Blue Caps, Johnny Olenn's band, and the
Platters.
December 28
Set at the Apollo this New Year's week are Al Hibbler with
Illinois Jacquet's orchestra.
Bo Diddley is booked into the Flame Show Bar in Detroit for a week-long New Years' celebration.
In the Washington D.C. the Howard Theater offers Ruth Brown, the Clovers, and the Rainbows this week.
Late December
Randy Wood, the founder of Dot Records, opens
negotiations with ABC-Paramount to sell his company. What appears
as an open and shut deal in the beginning runs into various
stumbling blocks and will not be completed until April, 1957.
Jerry Gold, artist and repertoire director for Pilgrim Records, jumps ship to start his own record company, Paris Records, taking with him Pilgrim's two best selling acts, the G-Clefs and the Rainbows and the Esquires.