1966, Grace Slick performs as a member of Jefferson Airplane for the first time at San Francisco’s Fillmore West after Signe Anderson bows out of the group’s lineup. Slick introduces the band to two new songs, “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love.”
1967, Folk singer Joan Baez was arrested, along with 123 others, for blocking the entrance to an Armed Forces Induction Center in Oakland, California.
1969, Record company executive and founder of the Chess record label Leonard Chess died of a heart attack aged 52. Home to John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, The Moonglows, The Flamingos Jimmy Reed and Sonny Boy Williamson.
1971, Isaac Hayes releases “Theme From Shaft.” The theme music of the hit blaxsploitation film would go to No. 1
1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival split up following the failure of their most recent album, ‘Mardi Gras’. After limited success as a solo act and some legal hassles with Fantasy Records, John Fogarty would have two big hits in 1980, ‘Center Field’ and ‘Rock and Roll Girl’. John’s brother Tom Fogarty died in September, 1990 and the surviving members have been touring as Creedence Clearwater Revisited.
1974, The Grateful Dead played the first of five nights at the Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California.
1976, One hit wonder Rick Dees and his Cast Of Idiots went to No.1 on the singles chart with ‘Disco Duck, (part one)’.
1976, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’, went to No.1 on the album chart, featuring the tracks ‘Sir Duke’, ‘I Wish’, ‘Pastime Paradise’ and ‘Isn’t She Lovely’.
1982, Culture Club appeared on UK TV’s Top Of The Pops performing ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’, which they got thanks to Shakin’ Stevens being ill and not able to appear. The song became a major hit after their memorable performance on the music TV show.
1986, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Robert Cray joined other artists on stage in St Louis, for Chuck Berry’s 60th birthday concert, as featured in the film ‘Hail Hail! Rock & Roll’.
1992, Bob Dylan’s 30th Anniversary (of his recording debut) tribute concert took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Guest performers include Neil Young, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Ron Wood and Dylan himself.
Born on this day: Nico (1938) Bob Weir, Grateful Dead (1947) and John Mayer (1977)
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