Day One.

John Smith Hurt was born in Teoc, Mississippi, on July 3, 1893. He grew up to be the singer, finger-style guitarist, recording artist and performer know around the world as Mississippi John Hurt.

Here is a recording that Mississippi John Hurt made for OKeh Records in 1928.

Day Two.

Stephen Collins Foster was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1826. He grew up to be a pianist, composer and America’s first professional song writer. His catalogue of original songs includes “Oh! Susanna” (1848), “Gwine To Run All Night” aka “Camptown Races” (1850), “Old Folks At Home” (1851), “My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night!” (1853) and “Hard Times Come Again No More” (1854).

Fireworks? Absolutely!

Here is a 1958 recording of Pete Seeger doing what he considered to be “possibly Stephen Foster’s greatest song.”

Day Three.

On July 5, 1954, singer/guitarist Elvis Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black were gathered in the recording studios of Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording Service in Memphis, Tennessee. They turned an off-the-cuff rendition of the Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup song, “That’s All Right (Mama)” into Elvis Presley’s first hit record.

Here is that recording as released on July 19, 1954 on Sun Records.

Day Four.

On July 6, 1957, John Lennon met Paul McCartney in the Church Hall of St. Peter’s Parish Church in Woolton, England. They were introduced by Ivan Vaughan, a mutual friend. John and his band, The Quarry Men, had performed at the St. Peter’s Parish Church Garden Fete earlier that day.

More fireworks, please!

Day Five.

Richard Starkey was born in Liverpool, England, on July 7, 1940. He grew up to be a drummer, singer, performer and recording artist known the world over as Ringo Starr. He officially became a member of The Beatles on Saturday, August 18, 1962.

If I could, I would have the 1966 recording of “Rain” by The Beatles embedded right here. Ringo considers his drumming on this track to be among his best efforts.

You’ll have to dig that one up by yourself.

Can you find a more historically important five days-in-a-row in music than those?

P.S.: If you’d like to learn more about these artists and events, please visit the July entries for any of the years in the blog Archives.