1805 – Composer Johann Peter Emilius Hartmann was born.

1869 – Composer Sigismond Stojowski was born.

1937 – Duke Ellington and his band recorded “Caravan.”

1956 – Buddy Holly got a prescription for contact lenses. He couldn’t get used to wearing them so he continued to use his trademark glasses.

1956 – “The Platters” was released. It was the group’s first album.

1959 – Cliff Richard’s first movie, “Serious Charges,” premiered.

1964 – Jan and Dean began recording “Little Old Lady From Pasadena.”

1968 – Paul McCartney and John Lennon were guests on NBC’s “Tonight Show” (with guest host Joe Gragiola).

1968 – The Rascals recorded “People Got to Be Free.”

1969 – Jeanne “Genie the Taylor” Franklin and Martin Lamble (Fairport Convention) were killed in a car accident in London.

1976 – Keith Relf (Yardbirds) was electrocuted by his son’s electric guitar. He was 33 years old.

1985 – Michael Jackson received a humanitarian award from U.S. President Ronald Reagan at the White House.

1988 – Atlantic Records celebrated its 40th anniversary with a televised cable show.

1992 – The album “Revenge” was released by KISS. The album featured a new drummer, Eric Singer.

1998 – Frank Sinatra died after a heart attack at the age of 82.

1998 – George Michael pled no contest in the Beverly Hills Municipal Court to committing a lewd act in a park restroom. He was fined $810, given 80 hours of community service, and ordered to undergo counseling.

http://www.on-this-day.com/onthisday/thedays/music/may14.htm