The first gold record — which was only a record spray-painted gold because the criteria for a gold record hadn’t been devised yet — was “awarded” today in 1942:

The number one British album today in 1968 was the Four Tops’ “Greatest Hits”:

The number one British album today in 1973 was Elton John’s “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player”:

Today in 1976, the Memphis Police Department named its newest reserve officer:

Today’s number one single from the number one album, “Blondes Have More Fun,” in 1979 asked this question:

The number one British single today in 1984:

The number one single today in 1990:

Today in 2005, Amy Winehouse won a Grammy, though due to visa problems she couldn’t get to Los Angeles to get her award:

Birthdays begin with TV and movie soundtrack composer Jerry Goldsmith:

Don Wilson, who played guitar for the Ventures …

… was born the same day as Roberta Flack:

Jimmy Merchant sang with Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers:

Nigel Olsson played drums for Elton John:

Producer Norman Harris worked with the Delfonics, the Trampps and MFSB:

One death of note today in 1997: Brian Connolly of Sweet: