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 […]
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 – 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 28
1965, The Moody Blues were at number one on the UK singles chart with “Go Now!” 1965, The Who made their first appearance on UK TV show Ready Steady Go! To project the desired image, the hand-picked audience consisted only of teens dressed in the current “Mod” fashion. 1966, The Cavern Club in Liverpool closes, […]
Today in Rock History – January 27
1962, The Beatles appeared at Aintree Institute in Aintree, Liverpool. The group had played here many times before but this was their last performance at the venue. Brian Epstein became infuriated when the promoter paid The Beatles’ fee of £15 ($24) with handfuls of loose change. Epstein took this as an insult to the group, […]
Today in Rock History – January 25
1963, Janis Joplin performs in San Francisco for the first time, singing at the North Beach coffeehouse. In lieu of money, Janis passes the hat for beers. She often sings a cappella at the Coffee Confusion and the Coffee Gallery, occasionally accompanied by Jorma Kaukonen (future guitarist with Jefferson Airplane). Joplin sings Bessie Smith and […]
Today in Rock History – January 24
1965, The film Ferry Cross the Mersey premieres at the Liverpool Odeon. It was the first to be shot on location in Liverpool after the city’s emergence into the music mainstream For authenticity, many scenes were shot in clubs near the home of Gerry and the Pacemakers’ frontman Gerry Marsden. Marsden wrote nine new songs […]
Today in Rock History – January 23
1964, The Searchers were at number one on the singles chart with the Sonny Bono song “Needles And Pins.” 1965, The Who play the Corn Exchange at Chelmsford and then an all-night rave at the Club Noreik in Tottenham. Opening for The Who at the all-night rave is The Muleskinners featuring future Small Faces’ keyboardist, […]
Today in Rock History – January 21
1965, The Byrds record “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The only actual member of the band who performs on the record is lead guitarist/singer Jim McGuinn. Musicians from the fabled “Wrecking Crew,” including Larry Knetchel on bass, Leon Russell on piano, Hal Blaine on drums, Jerry Cole and Bill Pittman on guitar, replace the rest of the […]
Today in Rock History – January 20
1967, Jimi Hendrix performed at Haverstock Hill Country Club in London. 1967, The Monkees TV show was shown for the first time in the UK. 1968, Fleetwood Mac, The Move, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Fairport Convention all appeared at the Roundhouse Chalk Farm in London. 1968, The Who play at Festival Hall […]
