1963, The Beatles topped the bill at The Royal Variety Show at The Prince Of Wales Theatre, London. With the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret in the audience, this was the night when John Lennon made his famous remark “In the cheaper seats you clap your hands. The rest of you, just rattle your jewelery”. […]
Today in Rock History – October 29
1965, The Rolling Stones kicked off their fourth 37-date North American tour at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 1965, The Who’s new single, “My Generation” backed with “Shout and Shimmy,” is released in the UK by Brunswick. Derek Johnson says in New Musical Express, “Analyse the ingredients for a hit and you’ll find them all […]
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 19
1966, The Yardbirds arrived in New York for their first US tour with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on lead guitars. After two dates of the tour, Beck developed acute tonsillitis and quit the group. He would go on to form The Jeff Beck Group, giving Rod Stewart his first major exposure. 1966, Roger Daltrey, […]
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 – July 31
1965, In England, the Yardbirds with Jeff Beck perform at the Cleethorpes Jazz Festival. 1965, Beatles VI enters the fourth of its six weeks atop the US album charts. Beatles VI includes two tracks recorded specifically for the North American market, “Bad Boy” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy,” both covers of Larry Williams songs. 1966, Cream […]
Today in Rock History – July 29
1966, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker made their unofficial live debut as Cream at The Twisted Wheel, Manchester, England. The official unveiling came two nights later at the Sixth Annual Windsor Jazz & Blues Festival. 1966, Bob Dylan was injured when his Triumph motorcycle crashed near his home in Woodstock, New York. Though […]
Today in Rock History – July 20
1965, Bob Dylan releases “Like a Rolling Stone.” The single becomes his first major hit, reaching number two on the US charts. The song remained on the charts for twelve weeks. It was recorded on June 15th and 16th at Columbia Studio A, on Seventh Avenue in New York. Then session musician Al Kooper improvised […]
Today in Rock History – July 16
1965, The Who play the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestersire, England, along with The Yardbirds, Shades of Blue and The Hellions. It is one of the oldest music festivals in Britain, held annually in Cheltenham in June/July since 1945. 1966, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton formed the group Cream. The band is widely regarded […]
Today in Rock History – July 10
1965, The Rolling Stones started a four week run at number one on the US singles chart with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” the group’s first chart-topper there. In the UK, the song was initially played only on pirate radio stations because its lyrics were considered too sexually suggestive. 1966, Johnny Tilotson, The Jive Five, […]
