Rocking Through the Decades

Today in Music History: December 13

Classic rock, R&B, smooth jazz, gospel, and country dominated the music scene through the decades from the 50s to the 90s. Even soundtracks from movies and television shows hit the charts, children and adult. Throughout the decades, musical styles have reflected the society of the time and have evolved as the world has changed. Advancements in technology have impacted the music industry from not only the perspective of the recording artist but the listener as well. 

Step back in time, reflect upon the hits of each decade and enjoy the memories! 

No.1 singles on this day...

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  1955 Dickie Valentine was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Christmas Alphabet', the first Christmas song to reach the No.1 position. It was the first Christmas No.1 that was actually about Christmas, a trend that would continue off and on over the next several decades.

• 1962 Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Return To Sender', his 13th UK No.1. Elvis performed 'Return To Sender' in the film Girls! Girls! Girls!. The opening bars and backing on baritone saxophone was performed by Bobby Keys who later went on to work with The Rolling Stones, The Who, Harry Nilsson, George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

• 1970 Dave Edmunds was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of the 1955 Smiley Lewis hit 'I Hear You Knocking'. The Welsh singer, songwriter and producer's only No.1 hit.

• 1986 Bruce Hornsby & The Range went to No.1 on the US singles chart, with 'The Way It Is', a No.15 hit in the UK. Written by Bruce Hornsby and his brother John Hornsby, it made explicit reference to the American Civil Rights Movement. The song was heavily sampled by Tupac Shakur in his song, 'Changes' from 1998.

• 1997 Children's TV characters The Teletubbies went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Teletubbies Say-eh-oh'. The single spent a total of 32 weeks on the chart.
  
  

 
No. 1 Album on This Day... 

1975 Chicago started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Chicago IX-Chicago's Greatest Hits', the group's fifth No.1 album.

1966 Jimi Hendrix made his TV debut on ITV's 'Ready Steady Go!' (Marc Bolan was also on the show). The Jimi Hendrix Experience also recorded 'Foxy Lady' on this day. The United States version of Are You Experienced listed the song with a spelling mistake as 'Foxey Lady' and this is how it is still known among many North American fans.

1969 Bob Dylan was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, on sale for 35 Cents (2/6).

Extra Tidbits into the 21st Century...

2002 UK music channel Music Choice analyzed all the Christmas No.1 singles from the past 30 years and identified criteria for their success. These included the use of sleigh bells, children singing, church bells harmony and references to love. They concluded that Sir Cliff Richards 1988 hit 'Mistletoe and Wine' was the perfect Christmas hit.

2012 A collection of love letters written by Mick Jagger to American singer Marsha Hunt sold at auction for £187,250. The letters were penned in the summer of 1969 while the Rolling Stones frontman was in Australia. They are believed to be the inspiration for the band's hit single 'Brown Sugar'.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...