December 14, 1959 — The Ohio State University Research Center issues a report showing that rock 'n' roll is the overwhelming favorite music of people aged 14-18. However, the poll shows that most over age 18 consider it their least favorite music.

December 15, 2008 — The St. Louis house where Chuck Berry lived from 1950-58, when he reached the peak of his popularity, is placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The selection is unusual because Berry is still alive at the time of the recognition. While residing in the house, Berry refined his guitar style and wrote and rehearsed many of his classic songs — among them "Maybellene," "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Sweet Little Sixteen."

 December 16, 1957 — Elvis Presley's Elvis' Christmas Album, which includes his cover of "White Christmas," hits #1 in the U.S., becoming the best-selling holiday album of all time.


December 17, 1954 — Bill Haley and His Comets' "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (first recorded that year by Big Joe Turner) becomes the first rock and roll song to hit the British chart, where it lands at #4.



December 18, 1962 — The Beatles begin their last series of performances at The Star Club in Hamburg, Germany.