On April 12, 1954, Bill Haley and His Comets recorded
“(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock.” If rock and
roll was a social and cultural revolution, then
“(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock” was its
Declaration of Independence, and if Bill Haley was
not exactly the revolution’s Thomas Jefferson, it
may be fair to call him its John Hancock.

Based on outcry from parents who bought into what may have
started as an idle rumor, the FBI launched a formal investigation
in 1964 into the supposedly pornographic lyrics of the song
“Louie, Louie.” recorded by The Kingsmen.  That investigation
finally neared its conclusion on May 17, 1965, when the FBI
Laboratory declared the lyrics of “Louie Louie”, as sung by the
bands singer Jack Ely (below), to be officially … unintelligible.

Jack Brown Ely (September 11, 1943 – April 28, 2015)

Ely’s famously incoherent vocals were partly the result of his
braces and the rudimentary recording method. The one hour
session cost within $50. He left the band shortly after the 1963
recording session. (From Wikipedia)

Ely was born in Portland, Oregon where he attended Washington
High School.

Drummer Mel Taylor (left) takes a smoke break in the control room.

Bob Dylan’s  debut studio album was produced by Columbia talent
scout John H. Hammond, who had earlier signed Dylan to the label,
a decision which was at the time controversial. The album primarily features folk standards, but also includes two original compositions, "Talkin’ New York" and "Song to Woody". The latter was an ode to Woody Guthrie, a major influence in Dylan’s early career.

The album did not initially receive much attention, but it achieved
some popularity following the growth of Dylan’s career, charting
in the UK three years after its release, reaching #13.

Bob Dylan in the studio recording his debut album in 1961.

Robert Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) will be 81 in May.

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)