This Day In Rock History Dec 26
 

Phil Spector is born. (1940)

Bill Haley and the Comets' "See You Later Alligator" is released by Decca Records. Topping out at #6 on the pop chart, it will be his biggest hit since "Rock Around the Clock." (1955)

Fats Domino's "Blue Monday" enters the pop chart, eventually to peak at #9. Mickey and Sylvia makes their pop chart debut with "Love is Strange," which peaks at #13. (1956)

Johnny Cash tops country & western bill also including Tex Ritter and the Sons of the Pioneers, opening at the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas. (1958)

Capitol Records, the EMI-affiliated company which has rejected U.S. rights to every Beatles record offered so far, finally rush-releases "I Want to Hold Your Hand" backed with "I Saw Her Standing There." Within five weeks, it will be Number One. (1963)

The Beatles self-directed film, "Magical Mystery Tour" premieres on BBC-TV. Audiences are mystified, critics either disapointed or contemptuous, and the Beatles suffer their first flop. (1967)

Led Zeppelin begins its first U.S. tour. (1968)

Bluesman Freddie King dies in Dallas at the age of 42. He was a major influence on many British rockers such as Eric Clapton. (1976)

Run D.M.C.'s Jason Mizell is hospitalized when his Jeep is hit head-on by a wrong-way driver. (1987)


(BOBBTORR)