Today back then.

1877 - Thomas Edison made the first sound recording.

1944 - On Columbia Records, "Red Bank Boogie", Count Basie’s salute to his hometown, Red Bank, New Jersey.

1948 - Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, considered by many to be the original "Star Search," debuted on CBS, and was on the air for 10 years. The show was wildly popular with American viewers. Godfrey was the only television personality in television history to have two top-rated shows running simultaneously in prime time for longer than 8 seasons. Godfrey's many discoveries included Rosemary Clooney and Pat Boone, but it was reported that, after seeing their auditions, he declined having Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley on his show.

1955 - On this date, the Motion Picture Association of America refused to grant its seal of approval to Otto Preminger's new film, The Man with the Golden Arm, starring Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak. They refused on the grounds that it dealt with drug addiction, a subject forbidden under the M.P.A.A. Production Code. Preminger decided to release the controversial film without the Association's seal of approval, and it was a critical success.

1965 - Capitol released The Beatles' hit single, We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper, and the album, Rubber Soul, both on this date.

1969 - Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" reached the top 40's #1 spot, staying there for two weeks. It was the only major hit for the group.

1969 - The Rolling Stones held a free concert at the Altamont Speedway, near San Francisco. The event was marred when a member of the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang, hired to provide as security, killed a spectator.

1984 - Two former Beatles debuted in two separate film releases. Paul McCartney had "Give My Regards to Broad Street" and George Harrison had "A Private Function" finalized for theatre audiences.

1985 - John Cougar Mellencamp promised 24,000 people at a concert in New York City he would refund their $17.50 tickets when a power outage caused a 20-minute interruption during his debut concert.

1988 - Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roy Orbison died of heart attack at age 52. he would be best-remembered for his hits Pretty Woman and Only the Lonely.