Bassist Bill Black is born in Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore and Bill Black cut “That’s All Right,” a blues song by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup,” at Presley’s first session for Sun Records. Rock and roll history is made.
Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore and Bill Black record the classic “Mystery Train” and two others songs at Sun Studios in Memphis.
Elvis Presley and his band, including bassist Bill Black, cut their first sessions for RCA Records in Nashville. The sessions yield “Heartbreak Hotel” and four other songs.
Dissatisfied with their salaries, Bill Black and Scotty Moore quit playing with Elvis Presley for two weeks.
Bassist Bill Black plays on his last session with Elvis Presley. It yields four songs, including “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck.”
Bill Black and Scotty Moore leave Elvis Presley for good in a dispute over money.
Bill Black, Elvis Presley’s former bassist, forms his own band, the Bill Black Combo.
“Smokie – Part 2” becomes the first of 19 singles by the Bill Black Combo to make Billboard’s Hot 100.
“White Silver Sands,” the highest-charting single by the Bill Black Combo, enters the Hot 100, where it will peak at #9 pop and #4 R&B.
Solid and Raunchy, by the Bill Black Combo, enters Billboard’s album chart, where it will peak at #23 – the highest showing among his many album releases.
“Ole Buttermilk Sky” enters Billboard’s singles chart where it will become the last single by the Bill Black Combo to break the Top Forty.
Bassist Bill Black dies of a brain tumor at age 39.
Bill Black is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 24th annual dinner. Garry Tallent is his presenter
