This Day in Rock & Roll History for January 24

Warren Zevon is born. (1947)

Elvis Presley records "Teddy Bear." (1957)

Johnny Preston hits Number One on the pop chart with "Running Bear," a song penned by the late J.P Richardson (alias the Big Bopper). Preston's smash will make it to Number One on the U.K. pop chart and #3 on the U.S. R&B chart. (1960)

Teenage twist star Danny Peppermint--who had earlier released a version of "The Peppermint Twist" different from, but competing with, the version by Joey Dee & the Starlighters -- is nearly killed when he touches a microphone stand at the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas and is electrocuted. He's rushed to a hospital where he recovers. (1962)

Brian Epstein signs the Beatles to a management deal. (1962)

Jethro Tull plays its first U.S. concert in New York City. The band, already popular with critics and audience in England, opens for heavy-metal supergroup Led Zeppelin. (1969)

It's announced that John Lennon and Yoko Ono have shaven their heads to commemorate the start of Year One for Peace. (1970)

James "Shep" Sheppard, the lead singer for the The Heartbeats and Shep and the Limelites, is found murdered in his car on the Long Island Expressway. (1970)

The live version of "Rock & Roll All Nite" by Kiss peaks at #12 on the chart. (1976)

Singer/songwriterr Randy Newman receives a gold record for his hit "Short People", which made it to #2 on the chart. Newman had angered many short people with the song, especially the line that stated, "short people got no reason to live." Newman claimed it was a subtle poke at prejudice. (1978)

The Clash's first U.S. single, their version of "I Fought the Law" is released on Epic Records. Though it gets lots of play on the college stations and in the new wave dance rock clubs, it will not be a hit on the pop chart. (1979)

The producer of the New Kids on the Block LP "Hangin' Tough" claimed that the boys only sang about 20% of the lyrics. He sued for a few million bucks for creative contributions and royalties. The group denied the allegations and the suit was eventually dropped. (1992)

Van Halen releases their "Balance" LP. It would be the last album with lead singer Sammy Hagar. (1995)

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