Category Archives: Popular Music 1940s

‘Quiet Beatle’ and lead guitarist George Harrison born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 25 1943)


Video: 'George Harrison Biography Documentary'

(Thursday, February 25, 1943)George Harrison, an English musician, and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of The Beatles, was born today at 12 Arnold Grove in Wavertree, Liverpool, England. Continue reading ‘Quiet Beatle’ and lead guitarist George Harrison born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 25 1943)

‘I Had the Craziest Dream’ by Harry James peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1943)

(Saturday, February 13, 1943) — “I Had the Craziest Dream” by Harry James and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Helen Forrest) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard National Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of two consecutive weeks (Feb. 13/20, 1943). Continue reading ‘I Had the Craziest Dream’ by Harry James peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1943)

‘There Are Such Things’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 16 1943)

(Saturday, January 16, 1943) — “There Are Such Things” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Frank Sinatra and The Pied Pipers), was the #1 song on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of five weeks (Jan. 16/23/30, Feb. 6/27, 1943). Continue reading ‘There Are Such Things’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 16 1943)

‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Oct 31 1942)

(Saturday, October 31, 1942) — “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby with Ken Darby Singers and John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of eleven weeks (Oct. 31, Nov. 7/14/21/28, Dec. 5/12/19/26, 1942, Jan. 2/9, 1943). Continue reading ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Oct 31 1942)

‘(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo’ by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 12 1942)

(Saturday, September 12, 1942) — “(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo” by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (vocal refrain by Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, and The Modernaires) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of seven consecutive weeks (Sept. 12/19/26, Oct. 3/10/17/24, 1942). Continue reading ‘(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo’ by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 12 1942)

‘Jingle Jangle Jingle’ by Kay Kyser peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 18 1942)

(Saturday, July 18, 1942) — “Jingle Jangle Jingle” by Kay Kyser and His Orchestra (vocal chorus by Harry Babbitt, Julie Conway and The Group) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of eight consecutive weeks (July 18/25, Aug. 1/8/15/22/29, Sept. 5, 1942). Continue reading ‘Jingle Jangle Jingle’ by Kay Kyser peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 18 1942)

‘Sleepy Lagoon’ by Harry James peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 20 1942)

(Saturday, June 20, 1942) — “Sleepy Lagoon” by Harry James and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of four consecutive weeks (June 20/27, July 4/11, 1942). Continue reading ‘Sleepy Lagoon’ by Harry James peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 20 1942)

Rock music icon Paul McCartney born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 18 1942)


Video: 'Paul McCartney Documentary'

(Thursday, June 18, 1942)Paul McCartney, an English singer, songwriter, and musician who gained worldwide fame as co-lead vocalist, co-songwriter, and bassist for the rock music band The Beatles, was born James Paul McCartney today at Walton Hospital in the Walton area of Liverpool. Continue reading Rock music icon Paul McCartney born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 18 1942)

Bing Crosby records ‘White Christmas,’ best-selling single of all-time, in Los Angeles 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1942)

(Friday, May 29, 1942) — “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, the world’s best-selling single (in terms of sales of physical media), was recorded today with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers at the Radio Recorders recording studio, 932 N. Western Avenue in Los Angeles. Continue reading Bing Crosby records ‘White Christmas,’ best-selling single of all-time, in Los Angeles 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1942)

‘Tangerine’ by Jimmy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1942)

(Saturday, May 9, 1942) — “Tangerine” by Jimmy Dorsey And His Orchestra (vocal choruses by Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of six consecutive weeks (May 9/16/23/30, June 6/13, 1942). Continue reading ‘Tangerine’ by Jimmy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1942)