1964, Responding to claims that the Kingsmen’s incomprehensible “Louie Louie” is pornographic, the song’s publisher, Max Firetag, offers $1,000 to anyone who can indentify the “suggestive” elements in the song’s lyrics. 1968, The Band Of Joy, featuring John Bonham and Robert Plant, made their first London appearance, supporting Edwin Starr at the The Marquee Club […]
Today in Rock History – February 7
1963, The first Beatles single “Please Please Me” was released in the US on the Vee Jay label. 1964, The Beatles’ Pan Am flight was greeted by over 5,000 as it arrived at New York’s JFK airport. This was the Fab Four’s first US visit. 1967, Robin, Maurice and Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees […]
Today in Rock History – February 6
1958, George Harrison joined Liverpool group The Quarrymen. The group, who were named after Lennon’s school, featured John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Len Garry, Eric Griffiths and John Lowe. 1965, The Righteous Brothers started a two week run at number one on the US singles chart with the Phil Spector produced “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” […]
Black Sabbath – Rock History – February 5
1966, The Who, with support acts Screamin’ Lord Sutch & the Savages, the Merseys, the Fortunes, and the Graham Bond Organization, perform at the Odeon Cinema in Southend-on-Sea, England. 1967, The Beatles filmed part of the promo clip for “Penny Lane” around the Royal Theatre, Stratford, London and walking up and down Angel Lane. 1967, […]
Bob Dylan, Rock History – February 4
1966, Bob Dylan and The Band played at the Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky. This was the first date on a world tour which would become significant as the first outing in which Dylan used electric instruments, after he had gone “electric” at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. 1966, The Who play the Astoria Theatre […]
Today in Rock History – February 3
1959, 22 year old Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, aged 17, died in a crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa, the pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza plane was also killed. Holly hired the plane after heating problems developed on his tourbus. All three were traveling to Fargo, North Dakota, for […]
Today in Rock History – February 2
1963, The Beatles played at the Gaumont Cinema, Bradford on the opening night of the nationwide Helen Shapiro UK tour. The Beatles were at the bottom of the six-act bill playing just four songs, “Please Please Me,” “Chains,” “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby,” and “A Taste of Honey.” 1966, The Rolling Stones released “19th […]
Today in Rock History – February 1
1964, The Beatles started a seven week run at number one on the US singles chart with “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” the first US chart topper by a UK act since The Tornadoes “Telstar” in 1962 and the first of three consecutive number ones from the group. 1964, Peter, Paul & Mary performed […]
Today in Rock History – January 31
1964, Sales figures show that the Beatles’ “She Loves You” has sold 1.3 million copies in England, while “I Want to Hold Your Hand” has sold 1.5 million. 1967, The Beatles spent a second day at Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, England to complete filming for the ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ promotional video. The film was shot […]
Today in Rock History – January 30
1964, The Searchers were at number one on the UK singles chart with the Sonny Bono song “Needles And Pins.” The group’s second UK chart topper had originally been recorded by Jackie DeShannon 1967, The Beatles shoot a promotional clip for “Strawberry Fields Forever” in Kent, England. 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience are filmed at […]
