January 4
Billy Ward and His
Dominoes play a two week engagement in Los Angeles at Macambo
January 7
Bill Kenny
headlines the revue at the Apollo Theater for the week.
The Bill Doggett Trio splits the bill with the Five Keys at the Washington's Howard Theater.
Louis Jordan plays a weekend engagement at the Savoy Ballroom In Los Angeles. Across town. Amos Milburn entertains at the 5-4 Ballroom.
John Lee Hooker and His Boogie Ramblers open a four-week engagement at Detroit's Town Casino.
Early January
Lucky
Millender signs a new contract extending his terms with King Records. Lucky Millender
heads the house band at the Apollo Theater most weeks.
Recorded
In Hollywood Records leases four more sides from the defunct Swing Time Records, leading
to the re-release of Lowell Fulson's "Every Day I
Have the
Blues" and Lloyd Glenn "Old Time Blues."
January 10
Bill Haley and
His Comets open in Washington at the Casino Royal for one week.
January 11
Following RCA
Victor's lead, MGM Records cuts the pricier of its albums. Prices for single records will
remain steady at eighty-nine cents for 45 rpm and
ninety-eight
cents for 75 rpm disks.
January 12
Studio Films, Inc. of
Los Angeles announces a schedule of twelve thirty-six-minute shorts featuring rhythm and
blues talent to be released to movie theaters
following completion in
early February. Entertainers to be featured include Ruth Brown, the Clovers, the Larks,
Joe Turner, Dinah Washington and the Delta
Rhythm Boys.
January 13
Johnny Otis plays
a one-nighter at the Club Alimony in Los Angeles.
January 14
Alan Freed produces the
first "Rock And Roll Ball" in the New York area at the St. Nicholas Arena for
two nights ( 14th and 15th). Both shows sell out a
week in advance with a
total 12,000 attending to the tune of $24,000 for both days. Performers for the two nights
are Joe Turner, Fats Domino, the
Clovers, the
Drifters,Danny Overbea. the Moonglows, the Harptones, Nolan Jackson, Ella Johnson, the
Buddy Jackson Orchestra and Red Prysock Trio.
The Five Pearls open at the Madison Ballroom in Detroit for three nights.
At the Apollo Theater, Dinah Washington and the Penguins headline, backed by the James Moody band.
At the Los Angeles'
Savoy Ballroom. Roy Milton and Memphis Slim cook up a boogie woogie stew for dancers
this weekend. At the 5-4 Ballroom, the
Robins join T-Bone
Walker and Floyd Dixon for a three-day stay.
In Detroit, the
Crystal Lounge hosts Roy Hamilton for three days and Nolan Strong and the Diablos are at
Dudley's Garden Theater for a week-long
layover.
January 15
Bill Haley's
"Dim, Dim the Lights" is tied to an auto safety bumper sticker campaign through
a Decca Records promotion. Haley also renews his contract
with Decca during
the week.
Sonny Thompson and lulu Reed play the weekend at the Club Desire in New Orleans.
Mid-January
Roy Hamilton
appears at the Basin Street in New York.
Two new record labels specializing in r&b. Teenage and Dice, are formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Savoy Records announces the signing of Larry Darnell, formerly with Okeh.
Victor reports the company will set up recording studios in Nashville as soon as a site is found.
Dootone
Records signs the Swans and Meadowlarks. Dootsie Williams owner of Dootone, states flatly
that the Penguins the hottest act on his label, will
not be
moving to a major label as has been rumored. According to Williams, he has a three year
contract with the group.
January 17
Joe Turner is
featured at the Celebrity Club in Providence, Rhode Island.
Margie Day starts an appearance at the Showboat in Philadelphia. fats Domino stops for a week at Hi Hat Club in Boston.
The Crystal Lounge in Detroit hosts Tiny Bradshaw for the week.
January 20
The Orioles start a
three-day stint at the Riveria Club in St. Louis as part of their Midwestern tour.
January 21
Faye Adams, the
Moonglows/Moonlighters, the Bill Dogett Combo, Al Savage and the Joe Morris Band are at
the Apollo for a week's stay.
In Los Angeles, the
three-day weekend brings Amos Milburn, Charles Brown and Wild Bill Davis to the Savoy
Ballroom and the Four Tunes to the 5-4
Ballroom.
January 22
Joe Jones,
formerly with Roy Brown and B.B. King is doing big business at the Dew Drop Inn backing
the strippers and female impersonators.
January 24
Eddie
"Cleanhead" Vinson has a two-day layover at Chicago's Basin Street Club. Also,
in the Windy City , Muddy waters is playing an extended
engagement at the
706 Club.
January 27
Johnny Otis
performs at the Club Alimony in Los Angeles for the evening.
January 28
The "Top Ten
Rhythm and Blues Show' booked by the Shaw Agency takes to the road for six weeks.
Entertainers include the Clovers, the Charms,
Moonglows/Moonlighters, Faye Adams, Bill Doggett, Lowell Fulson,, Joe Turner and the Paul
Williams Orchestra. Tonight's kickoff performance is in
Northfolk,
Virginia. Shows for the remainder of January are held in Richmond (29th), Washington
(30th) and Baltimore (31st).
The Ravens with Jimmy Ricks front the Arnett Cobb Band at the Apollo for a week.
Washington's Howard Theater hosts LaVern Baker, the Harptones and the Counts backed by Illinois Jacquet's Combo.
In Los Angeles, the
"Rock & Roll Jamboree" at the Shrine Auditorium features Billy Ward and His
Dominoes, Gene and Eunice, the Medallions, the Jewels,
T-Bone Walker, Shirley
Gunter and the Queens, Richard Berry and the Dreamers, Marvin and Johnny, Joe Houston,
Chuck Higgins and Oscar McLollie
for one night.
Also in Los Angeles,
for a three-day weekend shows, Sonny Thompson and Lulu Reed are at the 5-4 Ballroom and
Roy Brown and the Ink Spots are at
the Savoy Ballroom.
Charles Brown plays the Club Desire in New Orleans for three days.
January 29
Earl Bostic starts a
southern tour with a show in Baltimore. The first two weeks will bring in 9,000 patrons
and $13,000 with one-nighters in Salsbury,
Maryland; Raleigh,
Fayetteville, North Carolina, South Carolina; Roanoke Virginia and Charleston West
Virginia.
Roy Hamilton is at Pep's Musical Bar in Philadelphia.
Decca Records announces a
major coup in the signing of Billy Ward and His Dominoes. The group is one of the
strongest acts currently on the rhythm and
blues scene. They have record
for King Records and King's subsidiary Federal Records, for several years before going to
Jubilee late last year.
Gene and Eunice are
riding high with their hit "Ko Ko Mo" on Combo Records, are forced to re-record
the tune for Aladdin Records, which claims rights to
the duo and especially
to Gene Forrests' writing talents.
January 31
Dinah Washington
is on stage for a ten-day engagement at the Crystal Lounge in Detroit.
February 1
The
"Top Ten Rhythm and Blues Show" continue touring with a performance tonight at
the Court Theater in Springfield, Massa chusetts. Ulysses Hicks of
the Five
Keys dies of a heart attack following tonight's show and the Five Keys are forced to drop
out of the tour, Hicks is quickly replaced by Rudy
West, who
had sung previously with the group and just has been released from active duty in the
Army. Other cities played this month include Bridgeport,
Connecticut; Pittsburgh; Chicago; Youngstown; and Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio;
Evansville, Indiana; Nashville and Jackson. Tennessee; St. Louis;
Omaha;
Kansas City; Dallas; Longview and Austin, Texas; Oklahoma City; Wichita, Kansas; Tulsa;
Fort Worth, Waco, San Antonio, Galveston,
Houston and
Port Arthur Texas; New Orleans; Macon Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida.
Louis Jordan opens at Pep's Musical Bar in Philadelphia.
February 4
LaVern Baker and the Rivileers are backed by the Illinois Jacquet Combo during their week
at the Apollo Theater.
This weekend in Los Angeles brings the Spiders and Chuck Willis to the Savoy Ballroom and the Orioles to the 5-4 Ballroom.
Billy Ward and His Dominoes start a sixteen-week stay at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.
February 5
The
second annual Festival of Negro Music is broadcast live from the Savoy Ballroom in New
York and features Faye Adams, Johnny Hartman, LaVern
Baker
and the Solitaires.
MGM
Pictures announces that "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets
will be featured in the new picture "Blackboard Jungle" to be
released
this month.
Early February
Alan Freed can be
heard doing the introduction to the new release of Billy Williams. I Wanna Hug Ya, Squeeze
Ya, Kiss Ya, on Coral Records.
Bill Haley and His Comets play a one-night stand in Rome, New York.
Radio station WMBL in Macon, Georgia, hires its first Black deejay, Hamilton Swain, who will play r&b for two hours daily.
Rainbow
Records signs guitarist Mickey Baker to the label. Other label signings include the
Cookies and Regals, both formerly of Aladdin's subsidiary,
Lamp and T-Bone
Walker (previously with Imperial), all with Atlantic and Buddy Ace with Duke.
The Cardinals return to the recording studio following a long period of inactivity while lead singer Ernie Warren served in the Army.
February 8
In a
rare interview in Camden, New Jersey, Billy Kenny former lead tenor of the Ink Spots, says
that he feels " the day of group singing is passing."
February 11
Roy
Hamilton headlines the revue at the Chicago Theater for two weeks.
Lucky Millender's Orchestra is the headerliner at the Apollo Theater this week.
In Washington at the Howard Theater, the week's entertainment features the Rivileers, Big Maybelle and the Gene Ammons Band.
The Orioles repeat at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles for another three-day weekend. They share the bill with Charles Brown.
February 12
Pat Boone, previously recording for Nashville's Republic Records, signs with Dot Records
of Gallatin, Tennessee. Boone is recent winner on both "Ted
Mack's Original amateur Hour" and Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts television shows.
Dave Bartholomew's Combo entertains at New Orleans' Riveria Club for the weekend. Across
town, guitarist Roy Montrell is playing nightly at the
Hi-Hat Club.
February 18
Willie Mae Thornton, Charlie and Ray, Danny Overbea and the El Dorados split the bill at
the Apollo Theater for the week.
In
Los Angeles, the Savoy Ballroom offers patrons Charles Brown with the Stomp Gordon Band,
At the 5-4 Ballroom, Roy Brown headlines the
Hollywood Revue which included local favorites Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Linda
Hayes.
February 19
Earl
Bostic plays Columbus, Georgia tonight and Pensacola, Florida tomorrow.
In Philadelphia, the Cosmopolitan Club hosts the Five Keys, Dakota Stanton and the Valentines for a one-night stand.
In
New Orleans, Dave Bartholomew returns to the Club Riveria for the evening. is is
Also Scheduled to entertain at the club on Mardi Gras Tuesday.
Thereafter, he is booked at the Riveria for a long run of Saturday night dates.
February 21
The Orioles
open for a week at Pep's Musical Bar in Philadelphia.
Chuck Willis stops for a one-night stand at the Club Desire in New Orleans.
The Savoy
Ballroom in Los Angeles has an Ooky Oak dance (based on the song by the Penguins of the
same name). The show features Johnny Otis, the
Medallions, the
Meadowlarks and Marie Adams for the evening.
February 22
Charles
Brown spends to days at the Club Desire in New Orleans
February 25
Wynonie
Harris opens for three days at Chic's Show Bar in Detroit.
The "5" Royales are with Tam Smith's Combo entertain at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles.
February 26
LaVern Baker appeals to her representative, Charles Diggs (Democrat-Michigan) to have him
study the possibility of authoring a bill that will revise the
1909
copyright act. Miss Baker is upset that the current copyright act does not ever
duplicating arrangements on her records, such as "Tweedle Dee." She
claims she has lost $15,000 in royalties to singers Georgia Gibbs and Vicki Young, who
took her record and virtually duplicated the song note for note.
The New Orleans Municipal Auditorium presents the Clovers, the Charms, the Moonglows. Faye
Adams, Joe Turner, Bill Doggett, Lowell Fulson and the
Paul
Williams Orchestra for an evening concert.
February 28
During his six-week engagement, Earl Bostic becomes the highest-paid entertainer in the
history of the Palms Supper Club in Hallandale, Florida.
March 1
The "Top Ten Rhythm and
Blues Show" completes its six-week tour this month with shows in the following
cities: Raleigh, Fayetteville and Kingston, North
Carolina; Roanoke, Virginia;
Columbia, South Carolina; Birmingham; Chattanooga;; Greenville, South Carolina; Durham and
Greensville, North Carolina;
Charleston, West Virginia;
Knoxville, Tennessee; Bluefield, West Virginia; Atlanta; Tampa; Charleston, South
Carolina; Northfolk and Richmond. Virginia;
Philadelphia; New York City and
finally closing in Buffalo New York on the 20th.'Following his record breaking engagement
at the Carolyn Club in
Columbus, Ohio, Rusty Bryant
embarks on a tour of one-night stands. Big Jay McNeeley brings his combo to the Crystal
Lounge in Detroit.
March 4
The Apollo Theater plays host
to Ruth Brown and Willis Jackson Orchestra this week.
Fats Domino plays the
first of two weekend engagements at Los Angeles' 5-4 Ballroom. Also in town, LaVern Baker
and Ivory Joe Hunter split the bill at the
Savoy Ballroom this weekend
only Baker is just starting a three-week tour of the West Coast.
March 5
Earl Bostic takes to the road
following his week in Hallendale, Florida, with a one-night stand in Jacksonville.
Early March
Duke Records announces its
plans to release its first rhythm and blues album, a ten-incher containing all the hits of
Johnny Ace.
Steve Gibson and His Red Caps open for a month at the Cafe Society in New York
The rhythm and blues trend
has hit its peak and is on its way out according to an announcement from Mercury Records,
Consequently, the company doesn't
have any for any
further r7b cover records for Georgia Gibbs, Sarah Vaughn or the Gaylords.
Coral Records and Alan
Freed reach an agreement whereby Fred will become an artist, a talent scout and an artist
and repertoire representative for the
company for a period of two
years, The agreement is cancelled by mutual consent April 30th.
Rainbow Records launches a new subsidiary, Riveria Records, which will also specialize in r&b. The first release will be by the Five Crowns.
March 8
Ruth Brown guests on the
Steve Allen show on NBC-TV.
Earl Bostic is the first Negro to play the Celtic Room in Nashville during his four-day layover.
March 10
Red Prysock and his band
start a five-day engagement at the Apache Inn in Dayton, Ohio.
On the stage of the Apollo Theater, Ruth Brown receives a gold record representing sales of over five million records on Atlantic Records.
March 11
Al Hibbler and Sarah Vaughn
front Tito Puente's Orchestra for a week at the Apollo.
Bullmoose Jackson starts two weeks at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Ruth Brown moves to the Howard Theater in Washington with the Willis Jackson Orchestra for a week.
March 13
Roy Milton, Pee Wee Crayton
and Chuck Higgins share the billing for the Sunday night dance at the Elks Ballroom in Los
Angeles.
Mid-March
Buddy Johnson and sister Ella
are currently on tour of the South and Midwest.
Alan Freed hosts a meeting
with Saul Bihari (RPM/Modern/Flair), Jack Angel (Herald), Bob Rolontz (Groove) and Ahmet
Ertegun (Atlantic). Details aren't
disclosed.
March 16
In a rushed attempt to
cover Al Hibbler's version of "Unchained Melody," Epic sets up a session for Roy
Hamilton. The resulting single is shipped within five
days.
Earl Bostic plays a one-nighter at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium.
March 17
Johnny Ace is posthumously
awarded the first Billboard magazine rhythm and blues "Triple Crown" as
"Pledging My Love" tops all three R&B Charts: "Best
Seller In Stores," Most
Played in Juke Boxes," and "Most Played By Disk Jockeys."
March 18
The Drifters team with
Varetta Dillard and the Eddy Heywood Combo for a week at the Apollo Theater.
Dinah Washington, Danny Overbea and the James Moody Band thrill the crowd at the Howard Theater in Washington.
Sonny Thompson and Lulu
Reed play a three-day weekend engagement at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles. Across town
at the Your Room Lounge,
Charles Brown with Johnny
Moore's Three Blazers start an extended stay of three-day weekends.
March 21
Al Hibbler is scheduled for
and eight-day booking at the Crystal Lounge in Detroit.
March 23
In New England public outcry
against rhythm and blues peaks when six Boston deejays meet with press and religious
leaders to form a record censorship
board, Songs included on the
groups' initial list that will not be played over local Boston stations include "Make
Yourself Comfortable," "Teach Me Tonight,"
Idle Gossip," "From
the Bottom To the Top," "Honey Love and all versions of the "Annie"
songs.
March 25
Jimmy Reed entertains at the
Royal Peacock in Atlanta.
The movie "Blackboard Jungle," which features bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" is released to theaters.
The Apollo Theater offers the Chordcats and the Charms on its weekly bill.
The "5" Royales and Tab Smith's Combo perform at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles this weekend.
Radio station WGN in
Chicago forms a record review board after receiving fifteen thousand letters, many from
teenagers accusing the station of playing dirty
records.
March 29
Al Hibbler stars for the week
at the Copa Club in Buffalo, New York.
Late March
LaVern Baker opens at the
Orchid Club in Kansas City for a week.
Dootone Records signs Roy Milton, Mabel Scott and Chuck Higgins.
Charles White, formerly with the Clovers, forms a new group, the Playboys. The group will record for Cat Records.
Following Mercury's lead, RCA Victor decides it will no longer cover records put out by competing companies.
April 1
In Los Angeles, the 5-4 Ballroom offers
Fats Domino's talents for three days, while the Elks Ballroom has a one-nighter featuring
Richard Berry, Etta James
and Johnny "Guitar" Watson in a
show billed as "Modern Records Rhythm and Blues Caravan."
Ruth Brown is on the stage at Detroit's Crystal Lounge.
April 2
The "Rock and Roll Festival" is
held in St. Nicholas Arena in New York. Prermiers on the bill are Varetta Dillard, Red
Prysock, the Cadillacs, the Mellows,
Otis Blackwell and the Joe Morris Combo.
Little Walter, currently touring the
South, plays a one-nighter at Houma, Louisiana, followed by a performance at New Orleans'
Labor Union Hall on April
3rd.
Guitar Slim plays a one-stand at the Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles.
All nine local radio stations in San Antonio join together to censor rhythm and blues records before allowing them to be played.
April 7
Earl Bostic starts a West Coast one-nighter
tour that is scheduled to run through July.
The ABC radio network premiers "Rhythm
and Blues On Parade," which will be broadcast live every Thursday night from
prominent Black clubs in Harlem.
The show will spotlight new talent as well as
established artists,
Early April
The Du Droppers are all set to record for
for Groove Records when it is discovered that lead tenor Jay Van Loan has a contract with
Herald Records. The
mix-up occurred in October 1954 when the
contract between RCA Victor, owner of Groove, expired and the group signed with Herald.
When the group
took on a new lead singer, Van Loan, he
signed a separate contract with Herald. RCA claimed that it had a prior agreement to keep
the group, which left Van
Loan still under contract to Herald. The
matter is finally resolved when a new lead tenor, Charlie Hughes, is hired by the group.
Della Reese, former gospel singer from
Detroit and now a regular performer at the city's Flame Show Bar, signs with Jubilee
Records to record pop and r&b
material.
Juke box operators report using sixty percent more rhythm and blues records than they did a year ago.
April 8
Alan Freed's "Rock and Roll Easter
Jubilee" opens for a one-night run at the 4,264 seat Paramount Theater in Brooklyn.
Performers are Lavern Baker, the
Penguins, Danny Overbea, the
Moonglows/Moonlighters, the Three Chuckles. Eddie Fountaine and Red Prysock's Band,
augmented with Sam "The Man"
Taylor, Al Sears and Mickey "Guitar"
Baker. The Easter holiday show is run five times daily and breaks the all-time record at
the Paramount set in 1932 by
Russ Colombo, bringing a total $107,000 for the
week. Freed reportedly receives $50,000 based on a percentage. The total paid out to the
talent comes to
$11,000. News reports that the teenagers are
exuberant but well behaved, "There's excitement but no trouble."
The Hearts and Louis Jordan open at the Apollo Theater for the week.
The 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles features Roy Milton for the weekend's entertainment.
Ivory Joe Hunter starts two weeks at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
April 9
While in New York for the Paramount show, the
Penguins sign with Mercury Records. The group had formerly been with Dootone but had
recorded for
Mercury in March. The contract was delayed
pending court approval that their contract was not valid, as it was signed by three
members of the group who
were minors. Buck Ram, manager of the group,
also arranges for another of his acts to switch to Mercury: the Platters, formerly with
Federal, who remain
hitless at the time.
April 10
The "Dr. Jive Ball" at the
Rockland Palace in New York is sponsored by WWRL radio and emceed by Dr. Jive.
Entertainers include Roy Hamilton, Buddy
and Ella Johnson, Charlie and Ray and the
Cadillacs. The show brings in a capacity crowd of 4,200 with over 2,000 turned away at the
door.
Gene and Eunice open at the Tippin Inn in Berlin, New Jersey.
The Easter Sunday dance at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles features the Johnny Otis Combo with Marvin and Johnny.
In New Orleans, the Easter dance at the Labor Union Hall features Jimmy Nelson, Jesse Allen and the Joe Jones Combo.
April 11
The Jewels start a two-week engagement at
the Midway Lounge in Pittsburgh.
April 13
Variety's front page story on the
Brooklyn Paramount shows compares the opening night crowd with those of the the
Paramount's heyday in the 1930s and
1940s with the teens dancing in the
aisles.
April 14
Bill Haley and His Comets are off on a
tour of the Eastern Seaboard with a show in Binghampton, New York. Other dates on the tour
include Boston (15th);
Baltimore (16th); Cleveland (17th);
Buffalo (18); Rome, New York (19); Plainville, Connecticut ( (20th-23rd) and Wilmington,
Delaware (24th).
April 15
Dinah Washington entertains at the
Tiffany Club in Los Angeles for two weeks.
Mid-April
Treat Records signs Blind Boy Fuller and
the Five Stars.
LaVern Baker sues the Savoy Ballroom
in Los Angeles for $2,000 in back pay due to her from previous engagements. The suits
forces the ballroom to close
pending settlement. The Savoy does not
reopen until September 30th.
The Rivileers are currently limiting engagements to the New York area, where two members attend college.
Lowell Fulson is booked solid on his current tour of Texas.
April 18
Roy Hamilton headlines the Lord Calvet
Hotel in Miami for two weeks.
Billy Eckstine starts a world-wide tour with a performance in London.
Ray Charles and Faye Adams bring in ten thousand ticket holders during their week-long stand at the Palms Club in Hallendale, Florida.
April 21
Following a one-nighter tour, the
Penguins open at the Apache Club in Dayton, Ohio.
April 22
Al Hibbler starts at the Kin Wah Low Club
in Toledo, Ohio.
Headliners this week at the Apollo Theater include the Clovers, Little Esther, the Paul Williams Orchestra and teenager Little Willie John.
Louis Jordan brings his Tympany Five to the Royal Theater in Baltimore for a week.
Earl Bostic entertains at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on a one-nighter.
LaVern Baker and the Drifters join the Nat "King" Cole package tour for three weeks.
T-Bone Walker starts a two week stay at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
April 24
Nat Cole, LaVern Baker and the Drifters play a
one-nighter at the National Guard Armory in Washington.
Bullmoose Jackson starts a week at the Creole Cabana in Philadelphia.
Louis Jordan starts a week-long engagement
at the Howard Theater in Bill Haley and His Comets entertain nightly for a week at the
Casino Royal in
Washington.'
April 26
Curtis Williams of the Penguins sues
Dootsie Williams of Dootone Records (no relation) for $100,000, claiming damage to his
career because he signed a
recording contract with Dootone
Records when he was a minor
April 27
Philadelphia's Academy of Music presents
the Nat Cole tour featuring LaVern Baker and the Drifters.
The Met in Philadelphia plays host to
the "Rock and Roll Show of 55. Entertainers include Varetta Dillard, the Hearts, the
Roamers, Dean Barlow and Buddy
Johnsons' Orchestra.
The Apollo heater hosts the "5" Royales, Dakota Stato, Hal "Cornbread" Singer Orchestra and Memphis Slim.
Earl Bostic plays for three days at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles.
John Lee Hooker entertains at the Club Royale in Detroit.
Eddie Fontaine and the Three Chuckles appear with Ella Fitzgerald at the Chicago Theater for two weeks.
In Buffalo, New York, the Nat Cole tour with Lavern Baker and the Drifters plays to a full house.
May 1
Ray Charles and Fats Domino perform at the New
Orleans Municipal Auditoriums.
Elvis Presley joins "Hank Snow's All
Star Jamboree" tour in New Orleans. This is his first major trek, covering twenty
cities in twenty-one days through
Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North
Carolina and Virginia.
May 2
The Jewels are at the Creole Cabana and Ivory
Joe Hunter is opening at the Club Zelmar, both in Philadelphia.
Bill Haley and His Comets start a four-week
engagement at Sandy's Log Cabin in Gloucester, New Jersey. Also, in New Jersey, Red
Prysock brings his
combo to the Cadillac Club in Trenton.
Guitar Slim is at the Ebony Lounge in Cleveland for a week.
May 3
Roy Milton brings his rock and roll to Alaska,
with a series of one-nighters in and around Anchorage.
May 4
Chuck Willis starts a four-day run at the Crown Propeller Lounge in Chicago.
At the Apollo Theater, the Cardinals share the headline with Sister Rosetta Tharpe for a week.
This week the Penguins appear at the State Theater in Hartford.
The Howard Theater presents the talents of Sarah Vaughn and Al Hibbler this week.
Sonny Thompson and Lula Reed open in Detroit at the Crystal Lounge.
Early May
Star Maid Records of Chicago, formerly specializing exclusively in country and western records, has started a rhythm and blues department/ A two-year-old recording by the Embers on Ember Records, "Paradise Hill,' has been revived in Los Angeles and is re-released by Herald Records.
Dean Barlow, lead singer of the Crickets, records "Forever" on Jay-Dee Records. The song is the first with lyrics and music by Alan Freed.
May 11
The motion picture "Harlem Variety Revue" opens across the country. The film stars Faye Adams, Amos Milburn and the Larks, among others.
May 13
In Los Angeles, Joe Houston and his band entertain the dancers at the 5-4 Ballroom this weekend.
The Apollo Theater hosts Wynonie Harris and the Regals for the week.
Al Hibbler starts a five-day appearance at the Royal Peacock in Atlanta.
"The Biggest Show of 55," featuring Roy Hamilton, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, Willie Mabon, the Hearts, the Spaniels, Jimmy reed and the combos of Little Walkin' Willie and Erskine Hawkins start a six-week tour with a show in Oklahoma City. The tour will play dates throughout the Southwest. South, including New Orleans on the 18th and the East Coast before winding up with a show in western New York on June 26.
The "Rhytmn and Blues Caravan plays the Howard Theater for a week. Featured performers include the Moonglows, Etta James and Memphis Slim.
At the Chicago Theater, Pat Boone shares the stage with the Mariners for two weeks.
In Los Angeles, Dootone Records sues Mercury Records for allegedly inducing the Penguins to break their three-year contract with Dootone. In a related matter,
Jessie Belvin and Johnny Green file suit in Los Angeles claiming that they wrote "Earth Angel" the big hit for the Penguins ascribed to Curtis Williams, a member of the group. The court places an injunction against Dootone Records, requiring all monies generated from the sale of "Earth Angel" be placed in a trust.
May 15
Ruth Brown travels to the Crown Propeller
Lounge in Chicago.
Mid-May
Baton Records announces that it has found a
name for its previously unnamed vocal group. Through popular consent. the group will be
called the Miracles. A
new release will be out shortly.
T-Bone Walker is currently playing a series of dates around his hometown of Chicago, while he recuperates from an operation.
May 16
Fats Domino is welcomed for a short stay at the
Showboat in Philadelphia.
May 18
Earl Bostic takes his combo to the Blackhawk
Cafe in San Francisco for two weeks
May 20
Alan Fred brings his ""Rock 'N'' Roll
Show" to Boston's Loews State Theater for a seven-day run. Entertainers include Dinah
Washington, Al Hibbler, Dakota
Staton, Little Walter, Moonglows, the Five
Keys, Bo Diddley,Nappy Brown, Ella Johnson and the Buddy Johnson Orchestra.
Roy Milton plays the 5-4 Ballroom for a three-day weekend.
Arthur Prysock and Della Reese share the bill for two week at Detroit. Flame Show Bar.
Charlie and Ray open for two weeks at the Royal Peacock in Atlanta.
May 21
"Shake, Rattle and Roll," the ten
inch long play album by Bill Haley and His Comets is released by Decca.
May 22
The owner of the Otis Ballroom in Bridgeport,
Connecticut cancels a scheduled dance when he discovered that Fats Domino will be playing
rock 'n' roll music.
The police have banned a rock 'n' roll dances
following a report of a riot at the New Haven Arena during a rock 'n' roll concert.
May 23
The Four Buddies and Rudy Greene entertain at
Chicago's first rock 'n' roll dance at the City Bowl Park.
May 27
Alan Freed take his "Rock 'N' Roll
Show" to Providence, Rhode Island for three days.
The Bill Doggett Trio entertains at the 5-4 Ballroom for the weekend.
Lionel Hampton and his band headline the Apollo Theater revue for the week.
In Washington, the Howard Theater hosts the Orioles, Gene and Eunice and Jimmy Witherspoon for the week.
The Dew Drop Inn features Floyd Dixon for three days.
May 29
Joe Turner, Smiley Lewis and the Joe Morris
Orchestra hold forth for the evening at the Labor Union Hall in New Orleans.
May 30
Bill Haley and His Comets start a week at the
Colonial Tavern in Toronto. The group makes its first major television appearance as the
guest of the Milton
Berle show on the 31st.
May 31
Roy Milton on a tour of one-nighters, makes a
stop in Denver
Late May
The Clovers are booked into the Palm Club in
Hallendale, Florida.
June1
Bo Diddley is the inaugural act at the new Figueroa
Ballroom in Los Angeles. He performs for five days.
Steve Gibson and His Red Caps with Damita Jo returns to New York's Cafe Society for a month.
June 3
The weekend entertainment at the 5-4 Ballroom
features the Jewels for three days.
The Apollo Theater offers Linda Hayes and Nappy Brown fronting the Prez Prado Combo for this week's entertainment.
In Lubbock, Texas, in the middle of a
month-long tour Elvis Presley gives a free performance at a Pontiac dealership along with
local country performers,
Buddy and Bob.
June 5
"The Big Show" featuring Roy
Hamilton. LaVern Baker, the Drifters, the Spaniels. Jimmy Reed and the Hearts, plays a
one-night stand at Washington's
National Guard Armory.
June 5
Lowell Fulson and Choker Campbell' Orchestra
open at the Palm Club in Hallendale, Florida.
Early June
The Du Droppers are playing dates in Canada.
Also on tour are Amos Milburn the Clovers and the Paul William's Orchestra in Texas.
The first release from Atlantic's Twin Tones has stirred up trade action as inquisitive deejays are guessing who the members are.
Charlie Hughes, lead singer of the Du Droppers' latest release, signs a contract as a solo artist with Groove Records.
MGM Records signs eighteen-year old Connie Francis, who had previously appeared on the Horn and Hardhardt children's show.
Following the demise of Bruce Records, the Harptones sign with Old Town Records.
Mercury Records establishes a new subsidiary, Wing Records. New r&b talent assigned to the label includes Jay Hawkins and Titus Turner.
June 8
Earl Bostic starts two-weeks at the 1042 Club
in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Charms open for five days at the Figueroa Ballroom in Los Angeles.
June 9
The Five Keys are at the Copa Ballroom in
Pittsburgh.
June 10
"Dr. Jive Rhythm and Blues Show"
fills the Apollo Theater with music for the week
Featured entertainers include Gene and
Eunice, the Four Fellows, Delores Ware, the Nutmegs, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Charlie and
Ray, the Moonglows and
the Buddy Johnson Orchestra featuring
Ella Johnson.
Rusty Bryant blows foe patrons at the Weeke's Tavern in Atlantic City.
June 13
The Graystone Gardens and Ballroom in Detroit
presents "The Big Show" with Roy Hamilton, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, the
Spaniels, Willie Mabon, Jimmy
Reed, the Hearts and Della Reese for the
evening's entertainment.
June 15
Lowell Fulson starts a five-day layover at Los
Angeles' Figueroa Ballroom.
June 17
The Nutmegs, T-Bone Walker and Buddy Johnson
Orchestra featuring Ella Johnston are booked for a week at the Howard Theater.
Sam "The Man" Taylor has his first major booking at the Apollo Theater. Also on the bill are the Orioles, Etta James and the Peaches and Baby Washington.
Ruth Brown, Bo Diddley, Dean Barlow, the
Dreams, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Charlie and Ray and the Diamonds entertain for two shows at
the Philadelphia
Town Hall.
The Ernie Fields Combo plays for the dancers at the 5-4 Ballroom for the weekend.
June 21
Joe Liggins and the Honeydrippers open in Los
Angeles at the Sirocco club.
June 24
The second edition of the "Rock 'n'
Show" plays the Philadelphia Arena. Featured on the bill are Bill Haley and His
Comets, the Cardinals. Gloria Mann,
Jimmy Ricks and the Ravens, Varetta Dillard,
the Nutmegs and the Buddy Johnson Orchestra.
Etta James opens for two weeks at the Flame Show Bar.
At the 5-4 Ballroom, the headliners for this weekend are the Medallions and the Johnny Fuller Band.
Bo Diddley and Faye Adams share the bill for the week at the Howard Theater.
The Apollo Theater plays host to Big Maybelle, the Harptones and Gene Ammons' Combo.
June 25
It is reported in the music press that Bill
Haley and His Comets have sold an astounding three million singles in their first thirteen
months with Decca Records,
"Shake, Rattle and Roll" and
"rock Around the Clock" have each sold more than a million copies.
June 27
LaVern Baker moves into the Showboat Lounge in
Philadelphia.
July 1
Ivory Joe Hunter opens at the New Era Club in
Nashville.
At the Apollo Theater, the Drifters and Illinois Jacquet entertain for the week
The Charms and Marvin and Johnny start a three-day run at the 5-4 Ballroom.
July 3
Rusty Bryant is booked into the Hollywood Club in
Akron, Ohio.
The Jaguars and the Savoys play a one-nighter at the Will Rogers Auditorium in Los Angeles.
July 4
Bullmoose Jackson starts a two-week stay at the
Zanzibar Club in Buffalo, New York.
July 5
Gleason's in Cleveland welcomes Big Maybelle for a
two-week stay.
Also in Cleveland, radio station WINS sues Alan
Freed after he was sued, in turn, by "Moondog," the New York street performer,
for allowing Fred to use the
"Moondog" name on the air. The station
claims that Freed told them the "Moondog" name was fully protected.
July 7
Dinah Washington appears at the Basin Street in New
York for two weeks.
Early July
Mercury Records, in a moved designed to help
rhythm and blues and country and western to cross over into pop stream music. consolidates
the color scheme
for all its single releases. Previously, rhythm
and blues singles were issued with a pink label. country and western with a green label
and pop with a maroon
label. All singles will be released with a
black label as the color labels are phased out.
July 8
The Drifters open at Weeke's Tavern in Atlantic City.
The "Hal Jackson Rhythm and Blues Show,"
featuring Willie Mabon, Titus Turner, the Solitaires, the Cadillacs and the Arnett Cobb's
Band play the Apollo for
a week.
The 5-4 Ballroom offers the Penguins and Percy Mayfield for three days,
The Harptones spend the weekend in Pennsylvania performing a series of one-nighters in Harrisburg, Altoona and Johnson.
July 9
Fats Domino becomes only the second rhythm and blue
artist to be awarded Billboard magazines' "Triple Crown" as "Ain't That A
Shame" tops all three r&b
charts.
July 10
The "Pop R&B Show" starts two month
tour with it's evening show at Chicago's Trianon Ballroom. The tour features Sarah Vaughn,
Al Hibbler, Red Prysock,
Nappy Brown, Muddy Water, the Moonglows. the
Cardinals among many other headliners. The tour winds up August 6 after traveling through
Texas and the
South.
Lowell Fulson plays for the Sunday night dancers at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
July 15
The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angels hosts the
"Annual Rhythm and Blues Jamboree," featuring Earl Bostic, the Meadowlarks,
Chuck Higgins, the Clovers,
Marvin and Johnny, the Voices and the Jewels.
The Clovers do double duty this evening as they as open for three days with the Paul Williams Combo at the 5-4 Ballroom
Mid-July
Groove Records recently signed the Cheeks. Other
recent signings include the Sparks Of Rhythm with Apollo and blues-singer Irene Reed with
Savoy
Clyde McPhatter formally announces that he is
leaving the Drifters and will continue to record as a single artist for Atlantic. He has
been a member of the U.S.
Army since May 1954 and has recorded with the group
once during that time.
Ruth Brown is at the Patio Club in Philadelphia.
Bill Haley and His Comets following a successful
booking at the Regal Theater in Chicago, are booked on an extensive tour of one-night
stands starting in
Maryland and continuing through Virginia, North and
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,
Montana
Ohio, Nebraska and Kansas. Also scheduled are stops
in Canada
Guitar Slim and T-Bone Walker are touring night spots in Texas.
July 22
Earl Bostic starts a three-day layover at the 5-4
Ballroom.
In Baltimore, the Royal Theater offers the Orioles for a week.
July 23
Atlantic Records reports that the company will be a new
subsidiary label to be called Atlas Records, Talent signed to the new label include the
Royal Jokers,
New Orleans blues-shooter Billy Nightingale a Jesse Stone.
It is reported that "Shake, Rattle and Roll"
by Bill Haley and His Comets is to be included in the movie "how To Be Very, Very
Popular." starring Sheree North,
following the success of "Rock Around The Clock"
in "Blackboard Jungle." In addition, Haley's "Razzle-Dazzle" is to be
featured in "Running Wild" with Mamie
Van Doren.
July 24
LaVern Baker graces the state at the Lord Calvert
Hotel in Miami for one week.
July 29
Faye Adams starts a week at the Flame Show Bar.
Gene and Eunice front the Gene Ammons Combo for two three-day
weekends at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles. Also in town for three days, Pee Wee
Crayton headlines the show at the Harlem Club.
July 30
Bill Haley is awarded the Billboard magazine Triple Crown" as "Rock Around the Clock" top all three pop record charts.
Late July
Despite their earlier proclamation that rhythm and blues
was a declining in popularity, pop record companies continue to heavily cover r&b
tunes. Recent cover
versions include "Gum Drop," originally by Otis
Williams, covered by the Crew-Cuts; "Seventeen" originally by Boyd Bennett,
covered by Rusty Drapper; the
Fontane Sisters and Ella Mae Morse,
"Razzle-Dazzle" by Bill Haley, covered by Ella Mae Morse; "Story
Untold," originally by the Nutmegs, covered by the
Crew-Cuts; "The Wallflower" originally by Etta
James, covered by Georgia Gibbs; "Ain't It A Shame," originally by Fats Domino,
covered by Pat Boone as
"Ain't That A Shame; "Piddily Patter"
originally by Nappy Brown, covered by Patti Page and "Song Of The Dreamer,"
originally by Billy Brooks, covered by
Johnnie Raye and Eddie Fisher.
August 2
LaVern Baker spends five days at Gleason's in
Cleveland.
August 3
As an example of speed with which one record company could
cover another artist's record, at a 2 p.m. session in New York, Georgia Gibbs, Mercury
Records recording star, records a version of Lillian Biggs'
"I Want You To Be My Babby." By the next morning, the deejays in the area are
already receiving
acetate copies of Gibbs' version and August 5th regular
copies are in stores.
August 5
The Nutmegs start a three-day stand at the Copa Casino in
Youngstown, Ohio.
The Four Fellows play a one-nighter at the Royal Peacock In Atlanta.
Arthur Prysock is booked for a three-week run at the Club Ebony in Houston.
Roy Hamilton opens in Washington at the Casino Royal for three days.
"Rock 'N' Roll Revue" opens across the
country. The motion picture features, Nat Cole, Lionel Hampton, Joe Turner, Duke
Ellington, Dinah Washington, Ruth
Brown, the Clovers and the Delta Rhythm Boys.
August 6
The Trinidad Club in Cleveland hosts the Four Fellows
for a three-day stint.
The "Pop R&B Show" plays a one-nighter at the Watergate Theater in Washington to close out its four week tour.
Billy Haley files a lawsuit in Philadelphia
against his former label, Essex Records, in an attempt to stop them from reissuing old
recordings, which Haley feels are
of "inferior quality" to his recent Decca
releases.
In New Orleans, Larry Darnell is the featured performer at the grand opening of the Cavern Club.
Atlantic Records launches its new subsidiary, Atco Records. the new company had originally planned to be named Atlas Records.
August 7
The Penguins and Big Jay McNeeley's Band entertain at the
Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
Early August
The Drifters, following a four-day engagement at the Farmer
Dell Club in Dayton, Ohio, are off on a series of one-nighters that will take them to
California.
Gene and Eunice play a one-night stand in El Paso on their current swing through the Southwest.
August 8
The Casino Royale in Philadelphia plays host to Della
Reese.
Bill Haley and His Comets play the Broadway-Capitol in Detroit for three days.
August 9
Rusty Bryant stops over for a week's engagement at the Club
Zanzibar in Buffalo, New York.
Bill Doggett returns to his hometown of Philadelphia to play at Pep's Musical Bar.
August 11
Roy Hamilton fronts the Buddy Johnson Orchestra featuring
Ella Johnson at Basin Street in New York for two-weeks.
In New Orleans, Dave Bartholomew; Combo is featured at the Lincoln Beach Midway for the evening.
August 12
Ruth Brown, the
Clovers, Little Willie John and the Paul Williams Orchestra appear at the Apollo Theater
for the week.
Charlie Fuqua's Ink Spots are continuing a Canadian tour with a two-week engagement in Hull, Quebec.
T-Bone Walker is welcomed for a two-week engagement at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
The Platters start an eight-week run at the Show Bar of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.
August 15
Chuck Berry makes his initial
showing at Gleason's in Cleveland. Following the engagement, he travels to the Copa Casino
in Youngstown, Ohio and
Paramount Theater in
New York.
Al Hibbler holds court for a week at the Hollywood Club in Akron, Ohio.
Earl Bostic plays the Stealer's Home of Jazz in Milwaukee.
Mid-August
Roy Brown is booked into the
Palms in Hallendale, Florida.
The "5" Royales
are currently on tour of the South and Southwest. In a related story, Lowman Pauling, the
leader of the "5" Royales. files a lawsuit in New
York City against his former
label. Apollo Records. He asks the court to require an accounting of all royalties and
rights to songs he wrote will at the
company.
Recent signings include the Cavaliers, a new Philadelphia group, with Atlantic and the Empirers, previously on Harlem, with Wing.
Sonny Thompson, Lula Reed and
the Champions are booked solid through the end of the year. They play the South and
Southwest into September and the
West Coast through Christmas.
Atlantic, Savoy, Decca, Capitol and
Dootone announce t5hat they will soon be releasing r&b material on 12-inch long-play
records. They will also greatly
increase the output of rhythm and blues
45 rpm extended-play records.
August 19
"D. Jive's Rhythm and
Blues Show" returns to the Apollo Theater for a week. Extra performances have to be
added each day to accommodate the overflow
crowd, Featured
performers include the Spaniels, Charlie and Ray, the Hearts, Joe Turner, the Five Keys,
Bo Diddley, the Moonglows and the Griffin
Brothers' Orchestra.
Following the week's run, many of the performers join the "Top Ten Revue" tour.
At Lincoln Beach in New Orleans, Dinah Washington performs for the midway crowd.
Pee Wee Crayton plays the blues during his three-day stay at the 5-4 Ballroom.
August 22
The Four Fellows
headline for a week at the Copa in Pittsburgh.
August 26
"The Top Ten
Review" takes to the road with a show in St. Louis. The tour will be 60-days through
the East, Midwest, Southwest and South. Performers
include the Clovers.
Gene and Eunice, the Five Keys, Joe Turner, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Jimmy Reed. Charlie
and Ray, Faye Adams. Bill Doggett, the
Charms and the Paul
Williams Orchestra. Other date for the tour include Memphis (27th) and New Orleans (28th).
Roy Hamilton starts two-weeks at the Cat and Fiddle Club in Nassau, Bahamas.
The "Big Blues-O-Rama" starts a six-week tour. Featured entertainers include the Cardinals, Little "Wakin' Willie, Jimmy Reed and Little "junior" Lewis.
The Apollo Theater offers the Moonglows, Baby Dee and the Jimmy Smith Trio this week.
Pat Boone is the headliner at the Chicago Theater this week.
August 28
In New Orleans, Arthur
Prysock and Earl King share the spotlight at the Labor Union Hall tonight.
August 29
The Charlie Fuqua Ink
Spots start a week at Toronto.
Late August
The Ravens are touring the
the Carolinas, Alabama, Georgia and Florida into next month.
Fortune Records signs the Five Dollars.
September 2
Alan Freed's "Big Rock 'N'
Roll Show' opens the week at the Paramount Theater in New York. The show features Tony
Bennett, the Harptones,
Moonglows, Chuck Berry, the
Cardinals, the Nutmegs, Lillian Briggs, Sam "The Man" Taylor, Nappy Brown and
the Red Prysock Orchestra. Bennett
becomes ill and only plays the
first day.
Roy Hamilton plays a weekend engagement at Michigan State University.
The Larks and Betty McLaurain back by Tito Puente's mambo orchestra starts a week at the Apollo Theater.
The Regal Theater in Chicago
hosts the "Rhythm In Blues Revue," featuring the Buddy Johnson Band with Ella
Johnson, al Savage, LaVern Baker, the
Spaniels the Orchids and the Four
fellows.
Al Hibbler heads the show at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Willie Mabon is at the Blue Flame in East St. Louis, Illinois.
The 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles, presents the Penguins with the Chuck Higgins Combo for the three-day weekend.
Boyd Bennett and His Rockets are part of the revue for two weeks at the Chicago Theater with Patti Page.
September 5
Sil Austin appears for a week at the Zanzibar
Club in Buffalo, New York.
Early September
Fats Domino is currently plain "pop" clubs
in New London, Connecticut and Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, as well as the usual r&B
clubs on his East Coast
tour.
Roy Hamilton is at the St. Louis; Riveria Club.
Billy Ward and His Dominoes open at New York's
Copacabana for six weeks following three weeks at Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe.. The group
is currently
negotiating for a weekly half-hour television show.
September 9
Buddy Johnson's "Big Rock and Roll Show' starts a
two-month tour. Featured performers include Chuck Berry, the Nutmegs, the Cardinals, the
Spaniels and
the Four Fellows.
Ruth Brown, the Moonglows an Guitar Slim share top billing at Washington's Howard Theater.
Roy Milton headlines at the 54- Ballroom for a week.
September 10
Chuck Berry becomes the third r&b artist to be awarded
Billboard magazine;s "R&B Triple Crown" for "Maybellene."
September 12
The Buddy Johnson package tour plays a one-nighter at the
Graystone Ballroom in Detroit. Featured in tonight's lineup are Chuck Berry, the Nutmegs,
the Four
Fellows, the Spaniels, Ella Johnson and Al Savage.
The Brass Rail in London, Ontario, hosts Sil Austin's show for a week.
September 14
Steve Gibson and His Red Caps are booked for a month
at the Cafe Society in New York.
Mid September
Imperial Records starts a new subsidiary, Post
Records. Talent already signed to the new label includes T-Bone Walker, the Kidds and the
Hawks, all
previously recording for the parent company.
Ivory Joe Hunter is currently touring through Texas.
Grant Records announces the signing of the Dreamers to a contract.
The music press reports that Bill Haley will
probably earn $300,000 to $500,000 this year from tours alone. By way of comparison, B.B.
King will only bring in
$30,000 from over 300 days on tour.
AmPar Records officially changes its name to ABC-Parmount Records.
September 16
Billy Holiday graces the stage of the Apollo theater for a
week. Al Hibbler takes over the Copa Casino in Youngstown, Ohio.
The Drifters, backed by the Joe Houston Band, entertain for three-days at the 5-4 Ballroom.
September 17
Alan Freed expands his on-air time as WINS radio schedules
his show from 6 to 9 p.m and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. weeknights and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday
and
Saturday nights.
September 19
Sil Austin begins a week-long stint at Darrow's Lounge in
Cleveland.
September 23
T-Bone Walker starts two-weeks at Detroit's Flame Show Bar.
At the 5-4 Ballroom, Lowell Fulson appears for a week.
September 24
Bill Haley hires a new group of Comets to replace the
three members that left the group. The new Comets are Francis Beecher (guitar), Rudy
Pompelli (sax),
Al
Rex (bass) and Don Raymond (drums).
In a related story, the departing Comets are joining
Capitol records. The ex-Comets are Joe D'Ambrosia (sax); Dick Reynolds (drum) and Marshall
Lytle
(bass). The group will be called the Jodimars (arrived at
by combining portions of their first names). Joining the group are Charles Hess (guitar),
Jim Buffington
(drums) and Bob Simpson (piano).
September 25
"The Big Rock 'N' Show" plays the New Orleans
Municipal Auditorium. Featured performers are the Buddy Johnson's Band. the Chuck Berry
Trio, the
Spaniels, the Nutmegs, the Four Fellows, Al Savage, Ella
Johnson and Arthur Prysock. Also in town, Ray Charles appears at the Labor Union Hall
tonight.
September 30
Al Hibbler, LaVern Baker, the El Dorados, the Hearts and
the Red Prysock Combo perform at the Howard Theater in Washington.
The Apollo Theater hosts the Royal Jokers backed by Lucky Millender Orchestra for the week.
The Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles re-opens following
some legal problems. Louis Jordan headlines for two three-day weekends. Also in town,
Sarah
Churchill and Oscar McLollie perform at the 504 Ballroom
for the weekend.
October 3
Boyd Bennett and His Rockets open at the Town Casino
in Buffalo following their engagement at the Chicago heater.
October 6
Connie Francis opens for a week at the LaVie Club in
New York.
October 7
LaVern Baker, Al Hibbler, the El Dorados and
Red Prysock combo share the stage for a week at the Apollo Theater.
The second annual "Rock And Roll
Dance" is held at the Moose Auditorium in Trenton, New Jersey. Featured performers
include the
Moonglows/Moonlighters with Arnett Cobb's Band.
The Jodimars are booked for a week at the Palace Theater in New York as part of the revue.
Sonny Thompson and the Champions start a three-day appearance at the 5-4 Ballroom.
October 8
In Los Angeles, the Medallions. the Gaylarks
and the Calvanes entertain at the Masonic Ballroom for the evening.
The Palace Theater in New Orleans presents
the "Big Blues-O-Rama' show, featuring the Cardinals, Little "Junior"
Lewis, Jimmy Reed and Little "Walking"
Willie as the tour winds down.
October 9
John Lee Hooker and the Turbans play a
one-nighter at the Stan Pan Bar in Detroit.
October 10
Bill Haley joins country music star Hank
Snow on a tour with tonight's opening performance in Omaha.
Over 6,000 attend the show. During the
next three days with shows in Lincoln (11th) and Topeka (12th0, almost 17,000 will attend.
On the 13th, Elvis
Presley joins for a show in Oklahoma
City.
October 14
Sonny Til and the newly re-formed Orioles share
the bill with Joni James at the Chicago Theater for two weeks.
The Apollo Theater hosts Roy Hamilton, the Cardinals and Eddie Heywood Combo for a week.
Al Hibbler, Lillian Briggs, Red Prysock, the
Moonglows, Mickey and Sylvia and Sreamin' Jay Hawkins are Philadelphia's Academy of Music
performing two
shows that attract a total five thousand fans.
In Detroit, Otis Williams and the Charms open at the Roosevelt Lounge for two days.
The 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles presents Lowell
Fulson and Dakota Staton for the weekend. Also in town, Louis Jordan stops for a night to
perform for the
dancers at the Elks Ballroom before starting a
lengthy date at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.
George Woods, popular rhythm and blues deejay on
WHAT radio and successful promoter of r&b stages shows, is fired. His spot is filled
by a man that the
station manager calls "very Sweet and
cooperative."
Mid-October
Performers currently on tour are Fats Domino and Ray
Charles Playing dates in the Texas-Oklahoma area, Percy Mayfield traveling through the
Southwest,
Tiny Bradshaw working the Midwest, the Midnighters
performing a series of one-nighter dances in the South and Billy ward and His Dominoes at
Pep's
Musical Bar in Philadelphia.
Atlantic Records buys the small independent label
Spark Records of Los Angeles. Atlantic acquires all the master recording as well as the
talents of Spark
owners Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, well known
songwriters in the rhythm and blues field. The top recording group for Spark Records has
been the Robins,
but the group has recently split up. A new group will
be formed that will feature the lead tenor and bass singer from the Robins.
October 16
Pee Wee Crayton plays a one-night stand at the Club
Harlem in Los Angeles.
October 17
The "Top Ten Revue' plays the Madison Theater in
Detroit on its regular on-nighter trip across the country.
October 20
Roy Hamilton opens for four days at the Savoy
Ballroom in Los Angeles.
October 21
The Platters make their debut at the Apollo Theater this
week, The group just finished eight weeks at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. Also on the
bill is
Varetta Dillard.
Roy Hamilton heads the show at the Howard Theater for a week.
The Turks, Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Chuck Higgins share the billing for a weekend at the 5-4 Club.
October 27
Roy Milton is back by popular demand at the Savoy Ballroom
in Los Angeles for another four-day weekend.
October 28
The "Lucky Eleven Blues Show" starts on a
three-month tour with a week at the Apollo Theater. The show features Jack Dupree, Earl
King, Little Willie John,
Otis Williams, Marie Knight and Hal "Cornbread"
Singer's Band. The tour will make its way through the South and Midwest before finishing
about New Year's
on the West Coast.
Fats Domino is at the 5-4 Ballroom for three days,
October 29
The "Top Ten Revue" closes out three months
touring with a show at Carnegie Hall in New York. This is the first exclusive R&B show
to play this venue.
Featured performers are Faye Adams, Bo Diddley, the Five
Keys, the Clovers, Joe Turner, Bill Doggett, the Charms, Charlie and Ray, Etta James, Gene
and
Eunice and the Paul Williams Orchestra.
November 2
The "Rock 'N' Revue" at the Paramount Theater in
Los Angeles features Dinah Washington, Big Jay McNeeley, Joe Houston, the Platter, the
Penguins and the
Colts.
November 3
In Los Angeles, Fats Domino is held over for four-days at
the 5-4 Ballroom and Johnny Otis and Marie Adams entertain at the Savoy Ballroom for the
weekend.
November 4
Buddy Johnson's "Big Rock & Roll Show" winds
up its two-month- long tour with two week's at the Howard Theater in Washington.
Joe Turner appears for six days at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Following a successful week at the Apollo Theater, the
"Lucky Eleven Blues Show" takes to the road with a performance in Pittsburgh
tonight. Other stops will
include Cleveland (6th), Detroit (7th-8th); Indianapolis
(9th); Evansville, Indiana ( (10th); Davenport, Iowa * 11th); Saginaw, Michigan (12th);
Toledo, Ohio
(13th); Cincinnati (14th); Chattanooga (15th); Atlanta
(16th); Tuskeegee, Alabama (17th); Jacksonville, Florida (18th); Miami (20th); Durham,
North Carolina
(22nd); Roanoke (23rd); and Raleigh (24th) before stopping
for a week at the Howard Theater in Washington (25th).
Early November
The Fi-Tones formerly the Cavaliers on Atlas, sign with
Mercury and Little Jimmy Scott signs with Savoy.
Screamin' Jay Hawkins is currently playing Spider Kelly's in Philadelphia.
November 11
The "Top Ten Revue" stops for a week at the
Howard Theater. Featured performers are the Clovers, the Solitaires, Joe Turner and Five
Keys.
The Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles features Dinah Washington for four days. She is held over for the upcoming weekend
B.B. King performs for the first of two weekends at the 5-4 Ballroom.
November 12
Pat Boone is voted "the Most Promising Vocalist"
in pop music in Billboard magazine's annual disk jockey poll. Elvis Presley is voted
"Most Promising Male
Vocalist" in country and western music, while Chuck
Berry garners the same award in r&b music. This week, Billboard also awards the
Platters a "Triple
Crown" in rhythm and blues music for topping all three
r&b charts with Only You.
November 13
Roy Charles, the Moonglows, the Cadillacs. Five Crowns and
Charlie and Ray entertain a large crown in New York at the Rockland Palace.
November 14
Buddy Johnson and his sister Ella open for three weeks at the Copa in Pittsburgh.
Mid-November
Jules Bihari of Modern Records purchases the California Record
Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles, which expands his record producing output to 30,000
singles a day.
November 16
Ruth Brown, Count Basie, Joe Williams, George Shearling, the
Orioles, T-Bone Walker and the Jacks begin a tour with a show in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
November 18
"Hal Jackson's Rhythm and Blues Revue"lays the Apollo
Theater for a week.Featured performers include the Valentines, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the
Four
Fellows. Arthur Prysock, the Solitaires, the Chuck Berry
Trio and Buddy Johnson's Orchestra featuring Ella Johnson.
Detroit's Flame Show Bar presents Al Hibbler and the Royal Jokers for a week.
November 20
Elvis Presley signs a three year contract with RCA Victor
Records. His previous recording contract had been bought from Sun Records for $35,000 with
Presley receiving an additional $5,000 for back royalties.
"The Ed Sullivan Show" on CBS-TV presents a special
fifteen-minute segment hosted by "Dr. Jive (Tommy Smalls) that feature LaVern Baker,
Bo Diddley and
the Five Keys.
November 21
Bubber Johnson starts a three week engagement at the New Marinas
Club in Washington.
November 23
Bill Haley and His Comets. Johnnie Ray and LaVern Baker are
booked for five days at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn. The gate receipts exceed
&56,000.
November 24
Sonny Thompson and Lulu Reed appear at the Savoy Ballroom in Los
Angeles for the weekend.
November 25
Chuck Berry, Nappy Brown. Big Maybelle, the Cardinals, the
Nutmegs and the Red Prysock Band appear at the Royal Theater in Chicago for two weeks.
The Howard Theater offers a full bill for the Thanksgiving
weekend patrons in the form of the "Lucky Eleven Blues Show"; Earl King, Jack
Dupree, Little Willie
John. the Charms, Marie Knight and the Hal Singer Orchestra.
Following this week, the caravan takes off for shows in the South and on the West Coast
through
January.
November 26
Charlie and Ray entertain nightly at the Flame Show Bar in
Detroit for the week
A film short starring Cleveland deejay Bill Randle is
cancelled in mid-production because of a In Los Angeles, Guitar Slim, Johnny
"guitar" Watson and Young
Jessie appear at the 5-4 Ballroom.dispute between Universal
Films, the producer of the short and CBS-TV in New York. Artists scheduled to appear in
the
short were Bill Haley and His Comets, LaVern Baker, Johnnie Ray,
Roy Hamilton. Gloria Mann, the CHordes, the Crew-Cuts, the McGuirre Sisters and Elvis
Presley.
In New Orleans, the Dew Drop Inn schedules Paul Monday to back the cocontnuous run of strippers
November 27
Fats Domino opens at the Club Harem in Los Angeles.
Late November
Federal Records sues Mercury Records claiming prior rights to the
song "Only You" by the Platters. The group had recorded it for Federal in May
1954, but the
company thought it was poorly produced and didn't release it at
that time.
Savoy Records signs bandleaders Hal "Cornbread" singer and Buddy Lucas to recording contracts.
Earl Bostic is currently touring along the East Coast
December 1
Bubber Johnson starts four days at the Veterans Club in
Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
The Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles presents a four-day show featuring Nappy Brown and Percy Mayfield.
December 2
Fats Domino headlines the three-day weekend show at the 5-4
Ballroom in Los Angeles before leaving on a tour of Texas and the East Coast.
The Apollo Theater features the Cadillacs, the Pearls and Sil Ausin Combo or the week.
December 3
Bill Haley and His Comets pack the Keith Theater in Baltimore
with over four thousands showing up for the two shows.
December 5
Alan Freed receives several awards at the annual Broadcast Music,
Incorporated (BMI) dinner in new York for his assistance in getting BMI records played on
radio. Performers during the evening include LaVern Baker.
The Chatterbox Club in Cleveland hosts the Bubber Johnson Orchestra for a week.
Early December
Lloyd Price returns to civilian life after twenty-one months with
the U.S. Armory.
At the Magnolia Ballroom in Atlanta, the Drifters beat the El Dorados in a mock "Battle Of The Quartets."
Dootone Records signs the Four Pipes and the Cool Notes.
Grove Records announces the signing of a new group from Detroit, the Nitecaps.
Chuck Berry opens for two weeks at the Stage Club in Chicago.
December 8
B.B. King begins four days at the Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles.
Also in town, Johnny Otis at the Rutland Inn for the evening, while the Ernie Freeman
Combo
is playing the Backstage Bar for an extended engagement.
December 9
The Flame Show Bar presents Willie Mabon for the week. Across
town, Jack Dupree is at the Roosevelt Lounge.
The Dew Drop Inn books Larry Darnell for a three-day weekends through the end of the year.
The Turbans and Nolan Strong and the Diablos headline the show at the Apollo Theater.
December 11
The Drifters start at the Lord Calvert Club in Miami.
December 12
LaVern Baker headlines a week-long show at the Mastbaum
Theater in Philadelphia,. Other entertainers include the Valentines, the El Dorados,
Screamin' Jay
Hawkins, Gloria Mann. Red Prysock and Bubber Johnsons' Orchestra.
December 15
Joe Houston and Oscar Peterson entertain at the Savoy Ballroom in
Los Angeles for four days.
Mid-December
Ekko Records recording artist Eddie Bond returns to his hometown
Memphis after several play dates in the Louisville, Kentucky area. His latest release is
"Double Duty Lovin." Ekko's other rockabilly. the
Cochran Brothers (Hank and Johnny), have completed an extended tour that started on the
West Coast and
ended up in Arizona and Kansas.
In a reverse move, rhythm and blues giant Chess starts a "pop" subsidiary, Marterry Records.
Neshui Ertegun joins his brother Ahmet as a partner in Atlantic Records.
December 16
Bullmoose Jackson brings his orchestra to the Flame Show Bar in
Detroit for a week.
Joe Turner and Floyd Dixon are appearing at the 5-4 Ballroom
in Los Angeles for a three days. Also in town, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Tony
Allen and the
Champs for three days at the Bard's Theater.
December 17
Bill Haley and His Comets play the first of two days at the Court
Square Theater in Springfield, Massachusetts. The break the house records with a two-day
gross of $5,000.
Elvis Presley signs for four consecutive appearances on Jackie
Gleason's "Stage Show" program that will broadcast nationally over CBS-TV
beginning January
28, 1956. He will be paid $1250 per show.
December 20
Shirley and Lee with the Joe Jones Orchestra start on a tour of the
South.
December 22
LaVern Baker headlines the twelve-day "Rock ;N' Roll Holiday"
show hosted by Alan Freed at the Academy Of Music in New York. Also on the bill are the
Three Chuckles, the Cadillacs, the Valentines, Gloria Mann, the
Heartbeats, the Wrens, Boyd Bennett and His Rockets, the Al Sears Orchestra with Sam
"The
Man" Taylor and the Count Basie Band with Joe Williams.
The Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles presents Big Jay McNeeley, the Gaylarks and Shirley Gunter and the Queens for three days.
December 23
Chuck Berry starts a tw0 week tour of one-nighters.
At the Brooklyn Paramount, Dr. Jive opens the holiday revue
featuring Pat Boone, the Cheers, Ruth Brown, Bo Diddley. the Five Keys, the Turbans and
Willis
Jackson's Orchestra.
Willie Dixon is booked at the Blue Flame in East St. Louis, Illinois, for twelve days.
The Orioles, Sonny Boy Williamson and Nolan Strong and the Diablos entertain for a week at the Howard Theater.
Percy Mayfield is scheduled through Christmas at the Rutland Inn in Los Angeles. Also in town, Ray Charles opens for a three-day weekend at the 5-4 Ballroom.
The Clovers headline the Apollo Theater for a week.
December 26
Della Reese, the El Dorados, Big Maybelle, the Royal Jokers and
James Moody's Combo entertain at the Graystone Ballroom in Detroit.
December 29
The Drifters return to Atlanta's Magnolia Gardens, the site of their
success in the recent "Battle Of The Quartets."
Johnny Otis plays a one-nighter at the Rutland Inn in Los Angeles.
December 30
Lloyd Price, the Turbans,Band and the Cardinals are featured at
the Howard Theater.
Faye Adams starts a week at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
In Los Angeles, Louis Jordan plays for two nights at the Savoy
Ballroom, Joe Turner and Floyd Dixon open for the tree-day weekend at the 5-4 Ballroom and
Chuck Higgins and his band are at the Rutland Inn Through New
Year's Eve.
December 31
The Plaza Theater in Buffalo, New York, boasts a fine New Year's
lineup with Clyde McPhatter headlining the show.
Screamin' Jay Hawkins plays the Mandy Lounge in Buffalo, New York.
The New Year's eve party at the Shrine Auditorium in Los
Angeles features the newly re-formed Robins, Joe Turner, Oscar McLollie, Gene and Eunice
and the
Calvanes.
Late December
Bull Moose Jackson. formerly with King Records and Savannah Churchill previously with Decca and RCA Victor, sign with Chess Records.
The music press reports that 1955 record sales are up more than forty percent over 1954.