This Week In Classic Hits History

Elvis has a first, The Beatles have a last, and there are four dead in Ohio.

May 4, 1970:

National Guard troops kill four students and wound eleven others at Kent University. The students were taking part in a campus demonstration protesting the Vietnam War. Neil Young wrote 'Ohio' within a few hours of hearing the news, and CSNY recorded it and released it within days.

May 5, 1956:

Elvis Presley has his first number 1 hit with 'Heartbreak Hotel'. It was also his first million seller.

May 6, 1965:

Keith Richards comes up with the guitar riff to 'Satisfaction' while in Clearwater, Florida. He had recently purchased a Gibson fuzz-box and was trying it out.

May 7th, 1972:

Reginald Dwight officially changes his name to Elton Hercules John.

May 8th, 1970:

The Beatles release 'Let It Be', their twelfth and final record. Though it was recorded before 'Abbey Road', it was released later. It was also originally titled 'Get Back'