Today in Rock in Roll
– May 22 –
1935
Mahalia Jackson lands her first recording contract after she’s heard singing at a funeral.
1942
Calvin “Thang” Simon was born.
1945
Joe Liggins hits #1 on the R&B chart and #13 on the pop chart with “The Honeydripper.”
1951
Roy Milton hits #2 on the R&B chart with “Best Wishes”.
1951
The Dominoes hit #6 on the R&B chart with “Do Something For Me” and #1 on the R&B chart and #17 on the pop chart with “Sixty Minute Man”.
1958
As Jerry Lee Lewis begins a British tour, a scandal erupts over his marriage to a barely teenage relative, as well as his two prior divorces. Lewis is booed offstage, the tour is canceled after three shows, and he returns to the U.S. to find himself mired in controversy.
1961
“Mother-in-Law,” written and produced by Allen Toussaint and recorded by Ernie K-Doe, hits #1 on the national chart.
1963
Frank Zappa opens Studio Z in Cucamonga, California.
1965
The Dixie Cups hits #20 with “Iko Iko”.
1965
“Iko Iko” by the Dixie Cups charts at #20.
1966
When a Man Loves a Woman (Percy Sledge) was a hit.
1971
Ray Charles Orchestra hits #36 with “Booty Butt”
1976
ELO hits #14 in the US with “Strange Magic”.
1982
Adam & the Ants hit #1 with “Goody Two Shoes”.
1982
Japan hits #24 in the UK with “Cantonese Boy”.
1988
One More Try (George Michael) was a hit.
1999
Robbie Williams’ US album debut, ‘The Ego Has Landed’, a compilation of his two UK albums, reaches #85 on the US charts.
1999
Fatboy Slim hits #36 in the US with “Praise You”.