1967, The Beatles recorded the orchestral build-up for the middle and end of “A Day in the Life.” At the Beatles’ request, the orchestra members arrived in full evening dress along with novelty items. One violinist wore a red clowns nose, while another a fake gorilla’s paw on his bow hand. Others were wearing funny […]
Today in Rock History – January 29
1964, The Beatles spent the day at Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris, France, The Beatles’ only studio recording session for EMI held outside the UK. They recorded new vocals for “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love,” after EMI’s West German branch persuaded Brian Epstein that they would […]
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 12
1964, The Beatles appeared on the ATV show Sunday Night At The London Palladium performing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “This Boy,” “All My Loving,” “Money,” and “Twist And Shout.” The compare for the evening was Bruce Forsyth. When The Beatles appeared on this show on October 13, 1963, their fee had been £250 ($400.) […]
Today in Rock History – December 11
1964, Soul singer Sam Cooke was shot dead at the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California. Bertha Franklin, manager of the motel, told police that she shot and killed Cooke in self-defense because he had attacked her. Police found Cooke’s body in Franklin’s apartment-office, clad only in a sports jacket and shoes, but no shirt, […]
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 – 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 – September 25
1965, The Beatles cartoon series premiered on ABC TV in the US. The first story was titled I Want To Hold Your Hand and had the group exploring the ocean floor in a diving bell where they met a lovesick octopus. 1965, The Who arrive in Denmark to begin their first Danish tour with a […]
Today in Rock History – September 21
1968, Deep Purple reached the number four spot on the US singles chart with their debut single “Hush.”‘ 1968, Jeannie C Riley went to number one on the singles chart with “Harper Valley PTA.” Jeannie won a Grammy for the best female country singer of 1968. 1968, Madame Tussaud’s Waxworks in London gave The Beatles […]
Today in Rock History – August 25
1967, Brian Wilson returned to performing live with The Beach Boys in Honolulu after a two year hiatus. The group had just released “Heroes and Villains.” 1967, Bobbie Gentry started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with “Ode To Billy Joe,” a No.13 hit in the UK. The song generated […]
