Thursday, May 9, 2024

May 9th, 1964

60 YEARS AGO TODAY:

5/9/64 - Louis Armstrong topples The Beatles from the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart when his version of the Broadway classic "Hello Dolly" goes to #1.

The Beatles had maintained chart domination for the previous 14 straight weeks with their chart-toppers "I Want To Hold Your Hand" [7 weeks], "She Loves You" [2 weeks] and "Can't Buy Me Love" [for the previous 5 weeks.]

At the time, this made Armstrong the oldest artist ever to hit No.1.  (He was age 62.)  The song remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 22 weeks, the longest stint for any track that year. 

Also on May 9th, Chuck Berry begins his first tour of England EVER when he kicks things off with a concert at The Astoria Theatre in London.  

Also on the bill tonight are The Animals, The Swinging Blue Jeans, King Size Taylor and the Dominoes and Carl Perkins.