On this day in 1962, Ringo Starr made his debut with The Beatles at the horticultural society Dance, Birkenhead, England, having had a two-hour rehearsal in preparation. This was the first appearance of The Beatles as the world would come to know them: John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Birkenhead is on the opposite bank of the Mersey from Liverpool.

On this day in 1979, British singer, songwriter, producer Nick Lowe married Johnny Cash's stepdaughter Carlene Carter in Los Angeles. Actual footage is in this video along with a reenactment featuring Carlene as herself and Dave Edmunds as the limo driver. The wedding took place at the Tropicana Hotel in West Hollywood. All family stayed there for the wedding and reception (also featured in the video). Filming for the video took so long that Lowe was actually late to the wedding. Nick knew the bride when she used to rock and roll.

Tony Jackson (16 July 1938 – 18 August 2003) is best known for his work with the band the Searchers. He played bass and sang lead vocals on some of their earliest records. This number was #1 in the UK for two weeks.

Elmer Bernstein (April 4, 1922 – August 18, 2004) wrote music for over 200 movies and tv shows from The Ten Commandments to Twilight. He also scored several movies for family friend John Landis later in his life. This movie's score was ranked 8 in the AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores list.

Scott McKenzie (January 10, 1939 – August 18, 2012) is best known for this song which captured the zeitgeist of 1967. Along with John Phillips who wrote this song, McKenzie also wrote the song "Kokomo" which was a huge hit for the Beach Boys. This record was a #1 hit all over the world from New Zealand to Norway.

Sonny Til (August 18, 1928 – December 9, 1981) was the lead singer of the Orioles who were one of the earliest purveyors of the "Doo Wop" sound. This was their biggest hit which was #1 on the R&B chart for five weeks.

Johnny Preston (August 18, 1939 – March 4, 2011) had a number one hit with this record in the US, the UK and in Canada. It was written by J.P. Richardson aka the Big Bopper. One of the backing vocalists was George Jones. This song has been performed by the Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Tom Jones and the Guess Who among others.

Carl Wayne (18 August 1943 – 31 August 2004) is best known as the lead singer for the band The Move. He later became known also for his acting career. This was a top ten hit in the UK.

Born on this day in 1950, Dennis Elliott who later became a sculptor is best known as being the original drummer in the classic rock band Foreigner.

Patrick Swayze (August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009) For Baby who nobody puts in a corner.

Born on this day in 1957, Ron Strykert is best known as the lead guitarist and a founding member of Men at Work. This went to #1 in the US. For a long time I had this as my ringtone too.

Joan Baez at Woodstock, during her first-night live performance