| March 3, 1951 |
Ike Turner and Jackie Brenston record “Rocket 88” at Sam Phillips’ recording studio in Memphis |
| July 11, 1951 |
Alan Freed begins “Moondog Rock ‘n’ Roll Party” on WJW radio in Cleveland |
| 1951 |
Todd Storz begins Top 40 radio format at KOWH in Omaha |
| March 1, 1952 |
Sam Phillips establishes Sun Records in Memphis |
| March 21, 1952 |
Alan Freed organizes the Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland, sometimes called the first rock and roll concert |
| July 19, 1954 |
Sun Records releases Elvis Presley record “That’s All Right/Blue Moon of Kentucky” |
| September 8, 1954 |
Alan Freed broadcasts from WINS radio in New York for the first time |
| March 19, 1955 |
Film Blackboard Jungle released, with “Rock Around the Clock” on the soundtrack |
| July 9, 1955 |
“Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets becomes the first rock and roll song to top the Billboard pop chart |
| November 21, 1955 |
Elvis Presley signs contract with RCA Victor |
| February 18, 1956 |
The Platters’ “The Great Pretender” tops the Billboard pop chart |
| March 21, 1956 |
Film Rock Around the Clock released |
| May 5, 1956 |
Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” tops the Billboard pop chart |
| September 9, 1956 |
Elvis Presley makes first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show |
| December 4, 1956 |
The “Million Dollar Quartet” of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash conduct an informal jam session at Sun Records studio |
| April 10, 1957 |
Ricky Nelson plays “I’m Walkin’” on television’s The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet |
| August 5, 1957 |
First national broadcast of American Bandstand |
| October 12, 1957 |
Little Richard renounces rock and roll during Australian tour |
| March 24, 1958 |
Elvis Presley inducted into the U.S. Army |
| May 3, 1958 |
After police closed down a Boston concert promoted by Alan Freed, charges—later dropped—were filed against him for inciting to riot |
| May 24, 1958 |
Jerry Lee Lewis’ marriage to his 13-year old cousin is revealed, ending his British tour and undermining his career in America |
| November 17, 1958 |
Kingston Trio number one hit “Tom Dooley” announces folk music revival |
| January 12, 1959 |
Berry Gordy, Jr. founds Tamla Records, which will become part of Motown Records in 1960 |
| February 3, 1959 |
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson are killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa |
| September 21, 1959 |
Alan Freed fired from WABC over the payola scandals |
| November 1959 |
New York district attorney’s office and US House of Representatives begin payola investigations |
| December 23, 1959 |
Chuck Berry is arrested for violating the Mann Act. Begins prison term on February 19, 1962 |
| March 5, 1960 |
Elvis Presley is discharged from the US Army |
| April 17, 1960 |
Eddie Cochran dies and Gene Vincent is seriously injured in a car crash during their British tour |
| September 19, 1960 |
“The Twist” by Chubby Checker tops the Billboard chart |
| Spring 1963 |
Surf music achieves national popularity |
| February 9, 1964 |
The Beatles first appear on the Ed Sullivan Show |
| August 11, 1964 |
US release of the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night |
| June 26, 1965 |
The Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” becomes first folk-rock song to hit number one |
| November 27, 1965 |
First of the “acid tests” takes place in Santa Cruz, California |
| August 29, 1966 |
Final Beatles concert, San Francisco, California |
| September 12, 1966 |
Debut of The Monkees television show |
| January 14, 1967 |
San Francisco Human Be-In kicks off the Summer of Love |
| June 16-18, 1967 |
Monterey Pop Festival draws 90,000 people |
| July 1, 1967 |
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles tops the Billboard chart |
| August 15-18, 1969 |
Woodstock Festival near Bethel, New York attracts 500,000 people |
| December 6, 1969 |
Altamont concert in northern California attracts 300,000 people |
| August 6, 1970 |
Concert for Peace held in New York’s Shea Stadium |
| September 18, 1970 |
Jimi Hendrix dies in London |
| October 3, 1970 |
Janis Joplin dies in Hollywood |
| July 3, 1971 |
Jim Morrison dies in Paris |
| August 1, 1971 |
Concert for Bangladesh takes place in Madison Square Garden |
| October 2, 1971 |
Soul Train first appears in national syndication |
| June 1972 |
Motown Records moves headquarters to Los Angeles |
| July 28, 1973 |
Watkins Glen Summer Jam in New York draws 600,000 people |
| April 6, 1974 |
California Jam Rock Festival draws 200,000 people |
| August 16, 1974 |
Ramones debut at CBGBs |
| April 10, 1976 |
Frampton Comes Alive tops the Billboard chart |
| April 2, 1977 |
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac tops the Billboard chart |
| August 16, 1977 |
Elvis Presley dies in Memphis |
| October 20, 1977 |
Plane crash kills three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd band |
| October 28, 1977 |
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols is released |
| January 14, 1978 |
Final Sex Pistols performance held in San Francisco |
| January 21, 1978 |
Saturday Night Fever soundtrack tops the Billboard chart |
| July 12, 1979 |
Disco Demolition Night held in Chicago’s Comiskey Park |
| September 21, 1979 |
No Nukes concert held in Madison Square Garden |
| December 3, 1979 |
Thirteen fans are crushed to death at Who concert in Cincinnati |
| December 8, 1980 |
John Lennon murdered in New York City |