Today in rock history: on this date in 1956, the very first Elvis Presley album was released. The Mississippi-born up and coming singer was already making a name for himself in the southern part of the United States and had scored early hits while signed to the Memphis-based record label, Sun Records. After RCA Records snatched up the dynamic young performer, it quickly put together Presley’s debut album which consisted of songs recorded in Nashville, New York and some material that originated from his days with Sun Records. The album was an incredible success. It went all the way to No. 1 on Billboard’s pop albums chart and remained there for 10 weeks. Elvis Presley was also the very first rock and roll recording to ever become a No. 1 selling album in America making it especially historic. The album featured classic Elvis songs like his takes on Carl Perkins’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” and “I Got A Woman,” originally recorded by Ray Charles. The album’s cover featured bold pink and green letters spelling out the singer’s name, a design that was later used for The Clash’s landmark 1979 album, London Calling. Of local significance, the album’s iconic front cover photo of Presley singing was taken right here in Tampa at former performance hall Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in July of 1955.

TODAY IN ROCK HISTORY
Young Rascals goes Groovin', Elvis plays Tampa, Journey drops Escape and more

Today in rock history: on this date in 1973, art/glam rock band Roxy Music released its second album, For Your Pleasure. The band’s self-titled debut album made a huge splash in England in 1972 thanks to the group’s unique look, sound and its completely new, fresh approach. For Your Pleasure picked up where the debut album left off and continued Roxy Music’s reign as the most stylish and distinctive band of its era. Featuring the cool, unmistakable vocals of lead singer Bryan Ferry and the quirky, unorthodox synthesizer work of innovator Brian Eno, the band sounded like no one else at the time which made Roxy Music hard to categorize. The album sold swiftly in England and rose as high as No. 4 on British albums sales charts. The album featured the hit single “Do The Strand” as well as Roxy classics like “The Bogus Man” and “Editions of You.” Sadly, this would be the last Roxy Music album to feature Eno as part of its lineup as he left after the album’s release to embark on a solo career that found him too creating some of the rock era’s most influential music on his own.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1979, the band that was quickly emerging as the ultimate rock and roll party band, Van Halen, released its second album, the aptly titled Van Halen II. The band’s first album, released in 1978, was a surprise smash hit and established the young, California-based band as a force to be reckoned with. Lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s extraordinary guitar work paired with lead singer David Lee Roth’s enthusiastic delivery made Van Halen instantly appealing to hard rock fans from the very start. This follow-up album did not disappoint and continued in the energetic, lively vein of its predecessor. Hits from the record included “Dance the Night Away” and “Beautiful Girls” which both received heavy airplay on hard rock radio stations around the U.S. Another smash hit, Van Halen II rose to No.6 on American Billboard album charts and, to date, has sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1944, lead singer, guitarist and chief songwriter for The Cars, Ric Ocasek, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Joining forces with friend and musical contemporary Benjamin Orr, Ocasek formed bands with him while living in Ohio in the mid-1960s. After the two relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, the formation of their incredibly successful new wave/rock band The Cars took shape. With its 1978 self-titled debut album, the band rose to incredible heights and managed to simultaneously appeal to hard rock fans and new wave fans with its fresh, new sound. Ocasek went on to release many more successful albums with The Cars as well as a series of solo albums. Besides a singer and songwriter, Ocasek is also known as a premier record producer and has worked on albums by artists like Bad Brains, Weezer, No Doubt, Guided By Voices, Romeo Void as well as many others. Ocasek turns 74 years old today.