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In 1932, Adolph Rickenbacker and his business partner George Beauchamp produced the first cast aluminum versions of the electric lap steel guitar, also known as the "frying pan."(Shmoop Editorial Team)
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Fourteen-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis makes his performing debut, singing at the opening of a Ford dealership in the town of Ferriday, Louisiana.(Shmoop Editorial Team)
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Fats Domino records several tracks for Imperial Records, including "The Fat Man," which is regarded by some as the first rock and roll record.(Shmoop Editorial Team)
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Radio repairman Leo Fender and musician Doc Kaufman produce the better sounding version of the solid-body electric guitar.(Shmoop Editorial Team)
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Eighteen-year-old Elvis Presley walks into Sun Records Studio to record two songs for his mother as a birthday gift.(shmoop Editorial team)
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Little Richard sends a demo to Specialty Records. He is offered a contract the following month. (Shmoop Editorial Team)
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Rockers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper are killed in a plane crash devastating young rock and roll fans across the nation. (shmoop editorial team)
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The Beatles, formed from the members of the Quarrymen, make their performing debut at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. (shmoop editorial team)
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The Beach Boys, in one of their first public appearances, perform for a Ritchie Valens memorial concert in Long Beach, California. (Smoop Editorial Team)
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The Rolling Stones arrive in the United States to kick off a North American tour. (shmoop editorial team)
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Janis Joplin debuts as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company. (shmoop editorial team)
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Jimi Hendrix and Chas Chandler, the former bassist for the Animals, form the Jimi Hendrix Experience. (Shmoop Editorial Team)
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jimmy Page, former guitarist for the Yardbirds, forms a new group and names it Led Zeppelin.(Shmoop Editorial Team)
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The Woodstock Music and Art Fair is held in the town of Bethel in upstate New York. Nearly half a million people attend the 3-day event. (Shmoop Editorial Team)
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The band Earth Blues Company, fronted by singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, compose the song "Black Sabbath" and begin performing it at gigs in England. Within one month Earth will rename itself after the track. (shmoop editorial team)
