On July first, 1956, Elvis Presley appeared on Steve Allen’s variety show singing “Hound Dog” to a bassett hound. He also was forbidden to dance.
In 1963, The Beatles recorded “She Loves You” at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in London. The song became the band’s second number-one hit in both the US and UK.
In 1969, Sam Phillips sold the Sun record label, which had been home to Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis at the start of their careers.
In 1970, the syndicated radio show “American Top 40,” hosted by Casey Kasem, debuted in several American cities.
In 1972, the rock musical “Hair” closed on Broadway after 1,729 performances. It had opened in 1968.
In 1975, the Captain and Tennille received their first gold record with “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
In 1981, Steppenwolf bassist and songwriter Rushton Moreve died in a car accident in Los Angeles. He was 32.
In 1983, Bon Jovi signed a deal with Mercury Records in New York.
In 1986, Prince premiered his movie “Under the Cherry Moon” in the small town of Sheridan, Wyoming. The town was chosen because local resident Lisa Barber won an MTV contest to win a date escorting Prince to the premiere.
In 1991, actor Michael Landon died after a battle with cancer. He was 54.
In 1995, disc jockey Wolfman Jack died of a heart attack in Belvidere, North Carolina. He was 57.
In 1996, actress Margaux (MAR’-goh) Hemingway was found dead in her apartment in Santa Monica, California. She was 41.
In 2000, actor Walter Matthau died near Los Angeles of a heart attack. He was 79.
In 2002, The Who played their first show without bassist John Entwistle, who had died the week earlier. The show was in Los Angeles.
In 2004, actor Marlon Brando died of lung failure at a hospital in Los Angeles. He was 80.
In 2005, singer Luther Vandross died in Edison, New Jersey. He was 54.
In 2006, the divorce between Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey (lah-SHAY’) was finalized.