While some were spray painting the buildings of England with proclamations that Eric Clapton was God, the real star of Cream was bassist Jack Bruce. Not only was Bruce the songwriter behind some of the group’s biggest hits, but it was his voice that defined the group’s sound. Ginger Baker, of course, laid down the […]
Today in Rock History – May 23
1964, Marvin Gaye appears on American Bandstand singing “You’re a Wonderful One.” 1967, Pink Floyd performed at Town Hall in High Wycombe, England. 1967, Jimi Hendrix appeared at Klub Bongo in Malmö, Sweden. 1968, Johnny Lee Hooker, supported by The Hallucinations performed at Boston Tea Party in Boston, Massachusetts. 1968, Pink Floyd played two late […]
Today in Rock History – May 19
1967, The Beatles held a press party at manager Brian Epstein’s house in London for the launch of the Sgt. Pepper’s album. Linda Eastman was hired as the press photographer. 1967, Pink Floyd played at Club A’ Go Go in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England. 1969, The Who appeared at The Rock Pile […]
Today in Rock History – May 10
1966, A year after returning to her home state of Texas from San Francisco, Janis Joplin heads west again. She was summoned by Chet Helms, a friend who is now managing Big Brother & the Holding Company. He dispatches Travis Rivers, an old acquaintance of Janis’ from her Port Arthur, Texas days to convince the […]
Today in Rock History – April 28
1966, The Kinks appeared at the Mecca Ballroom, Nottingham, England. 1966, The Young Rascals topped the Pop charts with “Good Lovin’.” This is the first of three number one songs for group, which later records as just The Rascals. 1966, The Who perform at The Witchdoctor at the Savoy Room in Catford, England. 1967, Pink […]
Today in Rock History – April 27
1966, The Beatles began recording the new John Lennon song “I’m Only Sleeping” at Abbey Road studios London, England. Recording began at 11:30 PM. The band recorded 13 takes, concluding on May 6th. The song features the then-unique sound of a reversed guitar duet played by George Harrison, partly because the tape was played backwards […]
Today in Rock History – April 22
1965, The Beatles were at number one on the UK singles chart with “Ticket To Ride.” Taken from the film Help! it was the group’s seventh UK chart topper. 1966, “Wild Thing” by The Troggs (who were originally called The Troglodytes) was released in the US on both the Atco and Fontana labels. The song […]
Today in Rock History – March 27
1966, The Who appeared at the Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire, England. 1966, During an UK tour, Roy Orbison fell off a motorbike while scrambling at Hawkstone Park, Birmingham fracturing his foot. He played the remaining dates sat on a stool and walking on crutches. 1967, Fats Domino played his first ever UK date at London’s […]
Today in Rock History – March 20
1969, John Lennon married Yoko Ono at the British Consulate Office in Gibraltar. They spent their honeymoon in Amsterdam campaigning for an international “Bed-In” for peace. They planned another “Bed-in” in the United States, but were denied entry. The couple then went to Montréal, and during a “Bed-in” at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel recorded ‘Give […]
Today in Rock History – March 14
1964, For the first time in British recording history, all Top Ten singles in the UK were by British acts. Number one was “Anyone Who Had A Heart” by Cilla Black. Number two – “Bits and Pieces” by The Dave Clark Five. At number three, “Little Children “Diane” by The Bachelors. Number five, “Not Fade […]
