1968, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention play the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences dinner in New York. Zappa tells the audience, “All year long you people have manufactured this crap, now for one night you’re gonna have to listen to it!” 1969, The 5th Dimension started a six week run at […]
Today in Rock History – January 6
1957, Elvis Presley makes his last appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the variety program that helped launch him nationwide. He performs for over 20 minutes, singing “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Peace in the Valley,” “Too Much” and “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again.” 1958, Gibson guitars […]
Today in Rock History – November 28
1963, “She Loves You” by The Beatles returned to number one for the second time on the UK singles chart. 1964, The Shangri-Las went to number one on the singles chart with the teen death song “Leader Of The Pack.” 1967, The Beatles recorded their last fan club record as a group, “Christmas Time Is […]
Today in Rock History – November 13
1964, Decca Records released The Rolling Stones’ “Little Red Rooster.” Written by Willie Dixon, as “The Red Rooster,” and previously recorded by Howlin’ Wolf and Sam Cooke, the single was recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago. It was a number one hit in the UK and remains the only time a blues song has ever […]
Today in Rock History – November 4
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 – November 2
1965, The Who perform at The Marquee in London where they break box office records for the venue. 1966, “Mississippi” John Hurt, country blues singer and guitarist, died of a heart attack in his home state of Mississippi. Material recorded by him has been re-released by many record labels over the years and his songs […]
Today in Rock History – September 14
1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared on UK music show Top Of The Pops. 1967, Filming continued for The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour in South West England. The Beatles searched for a quiet, secluded field in which they could conduct filming, but once they’d disembarked from the bus and set up for shooting, scores of […]
Today in Rock History – September 8
1966, The Who appeared at the Locarno Ballroon in Stevenage, England. This UK tour was notable for the addition of the single, “I’m A Boy” to the band’s repertoire. 1968, Pink Floyd were forced to cancel a performance at the Chatelet Teenage Festival in Belgium due to work permit problems. There were some violent reactions […]
Today in Rock History – August 26
1965, The Byrds appeared at the Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California. 1965, Sonny & Cher were at number one on the UK singles chart with “I Got You Babe,” the duo’s only British chart topper. Sonny Bono was inspired to write the song to capitalize on the popularity of the term “babe,” as heard in Bob […]
Today in Rock History – August 21
1965, The Rolling Stones started a three week run at No.1 on the album chart with Out Of Our Heads the group’s first No.1 album. 1965, During a 17 date UK tour, The Who played at the Palais in Bournemouth. 1966, On their last ever US tour The Beatles performed in two cities due to a […]
