July 8th is historic because of what happened on this day in 1954. It was the very first time anyone heard an Elvis Presley record on the radio. According to American Songwriter, WHBQ DJ Dewey Phillips received an acetate copy of the newly recorded "That's All Right Mama" from Sam Phillips and decided to play it on his show.
It was the public airwaves debut of the man who would one day be known as The King of Rock and Roll, although no one could have known it at the time. The single received so much reaction from listeners, that Phillips was forced to play it again and again.
Not that Elvis heard it - he'd gone to the movies knowing it would be played on the radio, afraid of a possible negative reaction. We all know how that turned out.
Glenn Miller, The Dorsey Brothers, Count Basie? Just as popular as Elvis. Granted the Big Band era was in my parents generation. I am sure there are people who think that before the Beatles there was nothing.
Dicky Doo wrote:
