Music History on July 18

1942 1st performances of "Chôros No. 6" and "Chôros No. 11" by Heitor Villa-Lobos, with the composer conducting Orquestra Sinfônica do Theatro Municipal, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1948 Emmerich Kálmán's dramatic operetta "Marinka" opens at Winter Garden Theater (later transferring to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre), NYC; runs for 168 performances

Elvis Records First Demo

1953 Elvis Presley pays $3.98 to make his first demo, at Sun Studio in Memphis, records "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin". Reportedly gives the record to his mother as a belated birthday present.

1970 Revival of Sandy Wilson's musical "The Boy Friend", starring Judy Carne and Sandy Duncan, closes at Ambassador Theater, NYC, after 111 performances
1976 "Something's Afoot" closes at Lyceum Theater NYC after 61 performances

Music History

1980 Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" album tops US charts, featuring "It's Still Rock 'n' Roll to Me"

Pianist, Songwriter and Composer Billy Joel

1982 "Blues in the Night" closes at Rialto Theater NYC after 53 performances

Music History

1994 "Kiss From a Rose" released by Seal (Grammy Record of the Year and Song of the Year)

2008 Billy Joel performs last of two concerts dubbed "The Last Play at Shea"; the final concert event before demolition of the 1964 baseball stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens, NYC; featured guests include Roger Daltrey, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney