This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1952.
Specific locations
1952 in British music
1952 in Norwegian music
Specific genres
1952 in country music
1952 in jazz
Events
February 26 – Popular American singer Jo Stafford marries bandleader/arranger Paul Weston. March 1 – Sun Records records its first release in Memphis, Tennessee. March 7 – New Musical Express launches as a weekly newspaper in the United Kingdom. March 21 – First major rock and roll concert, Alan Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland, Ohio. c. July – Finnish composer Aarre Merikanto wins the Olympic hymn competition. August 29 – David Tudor gives the premiere of John Cage's 4′33″, during which the performer does not play, in Woodstock, New York. September – Bill Haley and His Saddlemen change their image to become Bill Haley & His Comets. October 7 – First edition of Bob Horn's Bandstand is broadcast as a local show from station WFIL-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is later renamed American Bandstand and syndicated. November 14 – First UK Singles Chart published by the New Musical Express, with Al Martino's "Here in My Heart" as number one. date unknown Jazz singer Ernesto Bonino moves from Italy to the United States. Accordionist John Serry Sr. first performs in Broadway theatre with Shirley Booth in The Time of the Cuckoo.
Publications
Pierre Schaeffer – A la recherche d'une musique concrète (The Search for a Concrete Music), an explanation of his experimental approach to composing. John Serry Sr. – The Syncopated Accordionist.
Musical groups formed
76th Army Band
338th Army Band (reactivated) The Duke's Men of Yale (a cappella singing group) Steiner Brothers, tap-dancing trio and singing group
Albums released
Anthology of American Folk Music – Various Artists
As You Desire Me – Jo Stafford
Billie Holiday Sings – Billie Holiday
Bird and Diz – Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
Christmas Day in the Morning – Burl Ives
Christmas with Eddie Fisher – Eddie Fisher
Eddie Fisher Sings – Eddie Fisher
Favorite Spirituals – Ames Brothers
Harmony Encores – The Chordettes
Home on the Range – Ames Brothers
Johnnie Ray – Johnnie Ray
I'm in the Mood for Love – Eddie Fisher
Mr. Rhythm Sings – Frankie Laine
Oscar Peterson Plays Duke Ellington – Oscar Peterson
Penthouse Serenade – Nat King Cole
Song Favorites By Frankie Laine – Frankie Laine
Tennessee Waltz – Patti Page
US No. 1 hit singles
These singles reached the top of US Billboard magazine's charts in 1952.
Biggest hit singles
The following singles achieved the highest chart positions in the limited set of charts available for 1952.