On July sixth, 1955, "Baby Let's Play House" became Elvis Presley's first national chart single, reaching number 10 on Billboard's country chart.

In 1964, The Beatles' first film, "A Hard Day's Night," had its royal premiere at London's Pavillion Theatre. The movie opened in the U.S. the next month.

In 1965, Marty Balin and Paul Kantner formed a folk-rock group that eventually became Jefferson Airplane.

In 1971, jazz musician Louis Armstrong died in New York. He was 69.

In 1973, Queen released its first single, "Keep Yourself Alive."

In 1979, songwriter and producer Van McCoy died of a heart attack in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 35. He had worked with artists like Aretha Franklin and Jackie Wilson, and was probably best known for his instrumental hit "The Hustle."

In 1994, Vanessa Williams opened on Broadway in "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

In 1998, singing cowboy Roy Rogers died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86.

Today's Birthdays: Actor William Schallert ("The Patty Duke Show") is 90. Actress-singer Della Reese is 81. Actor Ned Beatty is 75. Singer Gene Chandler is 72. Country singer Jeannie Seely is 72. Actor Burt Ward ("Batman") is 67. Actor Fred Dryer is 66. Actor Sylvester Stallone is 66. Actress Allyce Beasley ("Moonlighting") is 61. Actor Geoffrey Rush is 61. Actor Grant Goodeve ("Eight is Enough") is 60. Singer Nanci Griffith is 59. Drummer John Keeble of Spandau Ballet is 53. Actor Brian Posehn ("Just Shoot Me") is 46. Rapper Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang Clan is 42. Rapper 50 Cent is 37. Actresses Tia and Tamera Mowry ("Sister, Sister") are 34. Actress Eva Green is 32. Actor Gregory Smith is 29. Rock singer Kate Nash is 25. Actor Jeremy Suarez ("Bernie Mac") is 22.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.