I read the news today, oh boy-! The music headlines from this day 50 years ago- Friday January 31, 1969.

• Musician Billy Preston who appeared on the rooftop concert yesterday with The Beatles- signed a contract to The Beatles Apple record label today. He had recorded his first album back in 1963 and had released 5 albums on various labels before signing with Apple. In late August he would release his first Apple record- That’s The Way God Planned It- that title track would be a hit in Europe. He would have a little help from friends- George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards on the album. Preston would go on to have some big hits in the early 70’s on the A&M label- ‘Outa-Space”, “Will It Go Round In Circles”, “Nothing From Nothing” being the biggest.
• Singer Bobby Darin walked off the set on The Jackie Gleason Show when he was not allowed to perform his song “Long Line Rider” a song that dealt with prisoner abuse.