1965, Blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, Sonny Boy Williamson died in his sleep. Van Morrison, Aerosmith, The Who, The Animals, Yardbirds, and Moody Blues all covered his songs. According to the Led Zeppelin biography Hammer of the Gods, touring the UK in the 60’s, Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying […]
Today in Rock History – May 6
1965, In their Clearwater, Florida hotel room, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards worked out the opening guitar riff of “Satisfaction,” following Richard’s purchase of a Gibson fuzz-box earlier that day. 1966, The Who appeared at the Top Hat Ballroom in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. 1966, Working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded overdubs […]
Today in Rock History – March 29
1967, During a European tour The Rolling Stones appeared at the Bremen-Stadthalle in Germany. Also on the tour, The Easybeats and The Creation. 1967, Working at Abbey Road studios The Beatles finished recording “Good Morning Good Morning.” They then started work on a new song “With a Little Help From My Friends,” (originally titled “Bad […]
Today in Rock History – March 21
1965, The Who appeared at the Trade Union Hall, Watford, England. 1965, After “I Want To Hold Your Hand” had held the number one position on the US singles chart for seven weeks, The Beatles started a two-week run at the top of the charts with “She Loves You.” 1967, Jimi Hendrix performed at Speakeasy […]
Today in Rock History – February 25
1964, The Beatles finished recording their next single “Can’t Buy Me Love,” at Abbey Road studios, London, (they had first recorded the song on 29 January 1964 at Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris). They also recorded the B-side, “You Can’t Do That,” and another new song “I Should Have Known Better.” 1965, The Rolling Stones […]
Today in Rock History – February 22
1967, The Beatles record the piano chord used on “A Day in the Life.” David Crosby pops by Abbey Road studios for a visit. 1968, The Who appeared at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. 1968, Genesis releases its first single, “The Silent Sun.” Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks later say they wrote the song […]
Today in Rock History – February 14
1967, Aretha Franklin records a cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect”at Atlantic Studios in New York. It would become a number one US single in June. 1967, The Doors play the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles. 1967, Jimi Hendrix appeared at Gray’s Club in Tilbury, Essex, England. 1968, Manfred Mann were at number one on […]
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 – November 16
1968, The Jimi Hendrix Experience went to number one on the album chart with Electric Ladyland. The double album included “Crosstown Traffic,” “Voodoo Chile,” and “All Along the Watchtower.” It featured guest appearances by Dave Mason, Steve Winwood and Al Kooper. 1968, The Steve Miller Band performed at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan. 1968, Led […]
Today in Rock History – October 28
1964, the first of two nights billed as the “T.A.M.I. Show” took place at the Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and The Rolling Stones all performed. The best footage from each of the two concert dates was edited into a 123-minute film, […]
