ON THIS DAY IN ROCK HISTORY

On this day in 1954, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded "Rock Around the Clock" at Pythian Temple studios in New York City. Written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers, the song was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights. Considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map around the world, Haley's version was used over the opening titles of the film Blackboard Jungle and went on to become a worldwide #1.

On this day in 1966, Jan Berry, of Jan & Dean, was almost killed when he crashed his Porsche into a parked truck a short distance from Dead Man's Curve in Los Angeles. Partially paralyzed and suffering brain damage, Berry was able to walk again after extensive therapy.

On this day in 1967, Mick Jagger was punched in the face by an airport official during a row at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. Jagger lost his temper after the Stones entourage was being searched for drugs, resulting in them missing their flight.
On this day in 1975, David Bowie announced his second career retirement, saying, "I've rocked my roll. It's a boring dead end, there will be no more rock'n'roll records from me." Find out what else happened on this date in music history here