1968, The Jimi Hendrix Experience went to number one on the album chart with Electric Ladyland. The double album included “Crosstown Traffic,” “Voodoo Chile,” and “All Along the Watchtower.” It featured guest appearances by Dave Mason, Steve Winwood and Al Kooper. 1968, The Steve Miller Band performed at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan. 1968, Led […]
Today in Rock History – November 7
1967, The Beatles finished recording “Blue Jay Way,” “Flying,” and “Magical Mystery Tour.” The Beatles have only six songs, not enough for an album so decided to issue a double-EP. Capitol Records didn’t think the double-EP format would be acceptable for the US market, so they decide to put out an album instead. The album […]
Today in Rock History – October 31
1964, Bob Dylan performs a Halloween concert at New York’s Philharmonic Hall. CBS is recording the show for a possible live album. Dylan shows off a new composition called “Advice to Geraldine on Her Miscellaneous Birthday.” 1964, Ray Charles was arrested by Logan Airport customs officials in Boston and charged with possession of heroin. This […]
Today in Rock History – October 26
1963, Bob Dylan played a sell out concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. 1965, Queen Elizabeth II invested The Beatles with their MBE’s at Buckingham Palace, London. According to an account by John Lennon, the group smoked marijuana in one of the palace bathrooms to calm their nerves. Many former recipients gave their […]
Today in Rock History – October 23
1966, The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded their first single “Hey Joe,” at De Lane Lea studios in London. The earliest known commercial recording of the song is the late-1965 single by the Los Angeles garage band the The Leaves. The band then re-recorded the track and released it in 1966 as a follow-up single which […]
Today in Rock History – October 22
1964, EMI sends Kit Lambert a letter of rejection for The High Numbers. That was the original band name for The Who. The rejection letter is later included with the Live At Leeds album. Since the reason the group is rejected is their lack of original material, Kit and Chris Stamp set up Pete with […]
Today in Rock History – October 21
1965, Wanting to improve on a previous recording session The Beatles started from scratch on a new song called “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown,”) finishing recordings in three takes. They also begin working on a new John Lennon song “Nowhere Man.” 1965, The Kingsmen perform “Louie Louie” on the ABC television variety show Shindig! […]
Today in Rock History – October 20
1962, Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt Kickers started a two week run at number one on the US singles chart with “Monster Mash.” It became a number three hit in the UK eleven years later in 1973. The song had been banned by The BBC in the UK, deemed offensive. 1965, The Who performed […]
Today in Rock History – October 8
1964, Working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded their next single “She’s a Woman” in seven takes, plus overdubs, recording the song from start to finish in five hours. 1964, Roy Orbison was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with “Oh Pretty Woman,” his third UK No.1. The title was inspired […]
Today in Rock History – September 30
1965, Donovan made his US television debut on Shindig! along with The Hollies, The Turtles and the Dave Clark Five. 1965, The Rolling Stones performed at the Gaumont Theatre in Hanley, Staffordshire, UK. Also on the bill were The Moody Blues, The Spencer Davis Group, The End and The Habits. 1966, Pink Floyd, along with […]
