Music History Today: July 5, 2020

July 5, 1954 Elvis Presley's first professional recording session is held at Memphis' Sun Records. It results in his first single, "That's Alright Mama."

"That's Alright Mama" is a song written and originally performed by blues singer Arthur Crudup. It is best known as the debut single recorded and released by Elvis Presley. 

Elvis in the record studio

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Presley's version was recorded on July 5, 1954,and released on July 19, 1954 with "Blue Moon of Kentucky" as the B-side. It was ranked number 113 on the 2010 Rolling Stone magazine list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."  

Read more:  Wikipedia

July 5, 1950:  Huey Lewis was born in Manhattan, New York.

In May 1982, San Francisco-area band Huey Lewis and the News notched their first Top Ten pop hit with “Do You Believe in Love,” a song written by Shania Twain’s future (and now former) producer and husband, “Mutt” Lange. 

Taken from the group’s sophomore LP, Picture This, the song was followed by two more singles, including the energetic “Workin’ for a Livin’,” which peaked just outside the Top 40.  

 Read more: Rolling Stone

July 5,  1959:  Marc Cohn ("Walking In Memphis") was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 1991 hit song "Walking in Memphis" originally by singer and songwriter Marc Cohn poetically recalls his first visit to Memphis—the taproot for some of his treasured, influential musicians like Al Green, Elvis Presley, and Isaac Hayes. 

Read more: Trip Savvy

July 5, 1968:  Creedence Clearwater Revival released their debut album.

Creedence Clearwater Revival debut album

Creedence Clearwater Revival released a version (of Suzie Q) on their debut album released in 1968. The band's only Top 40 hit not written by John Fogerty, it peaked at number 11. This song was one of their first big hits.  

Read more:  Wikipedia

July 5, 1973: Dobie Gray is awarded a Gold record for the biggest hit of his career, "Drift Away." 

Dobie Gray’s classic rendering of Mentor Williams’ ‘Drift Away’ back in 1973 is pretty much the epitome of a hit song, top to bottom. I t’s got that great little Stephen Stills-esque guitar lick in the intro and one of the most memorable, sing-along-able choruses ever written . It also made Gray a superstar, with the record selling over a million copies and going all the way to No. 5.  

Read more: Ultimate Classic Rock

That's Alright Mama.
Elvis Presley