1964, The Beatles scored their first number one album with Meet The Beatles! The album stayed at the top of the charts for eleven weeks. 1964, The Dave Clark Five appeared on the UK TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars. 1965, American singer and pianist Nat King Cole died of lung cancer. His first hit was the […]
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 12
1965, Pye Records announced signing of the “British Bob Dylan,” when they added Donovan to the label. The Scottish singer-songwriter produced a series of hit albums and singles between 1965 and 1970 and became a friend of leading pop musicians including Joan Baez, Brian Jones, and The Beatles. He influenced John Lennon when he taught […]
Today in Rock History – February 2
1963, The Beatles played at the Gaumont Cinema, Bradford on the opening night of the nationwide Helen Shapiro UK tour. The Beatles were at the bottom of the six-act bill playing just four songs, “Please Please Me,” “Chains,” “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby,” and “A Taste of Honey.” 1966, The Rolling Stones released “19th […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Outside Now” by Frank Zappa
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with Frank Zappa’s “Joe’s Garage” records. As usual, Zappa’s heart was in the right place when it came to issues like government control, censorship and organized religion, and he certainly could play guitar. But I never really got off on Zappa’s scatological and somewhat immature lyrical side. “Joe’s Garage” […]
Today in Rock History – December 17
1963, James Carroll at WWDC in Washington, DC, became the first disc jockey to broadcast a Beatles record on American radio. Carroll played “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” which he had obtained from his stewardess girlfriend, who brought the single back from the UK. Due to listener demand, the song was played daily, every […]
Today in Rock History – December 16
1965, Released as a double A-side The Beatles “Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out,” became their ninth UK number one, and their third Christmas chart topper in a row. The single was a US number one in January 1966. 1966, Pink Floyd appeared at a prohibition themed dance, the AA Students Christmas Carnival, […]
Today in Rock History – December 10
1965, A San Francisco band formerly known as The Warlocks performed for the first time under their new name, The Grateful Dead. 1966, The Beach Boys went to number one on the singles chart with “Good Vibrations,” the group’s third number one. As a child, Brian Wilson’s mother told him that dogs could pick up […]
Today in Rock History – December 4
1964, The Beatles released their fourth album Beatles For Sale. The album featured, “No Reply,” “I’m a Loser,” “Baby’s in Black,” “Rock and Roll Music,” “Eight Days a Week,” and “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby.” 1965, The Byrds started a three week run at number one on the singles chart with “Turn! Turn! Turn!” […]
Today in Rock History – November 21
1965, The Rolling Stones perform at Will Rogers Auditorium in Fort Worth, Texas. 1967, The Who begin their first headlining tour of the U.S. at the Civic Auditorium in Fargo, North Dakota with supporting act the Unbelievable Uglies. The Mayor of Fargo accuses the Who of inciting the teen audience with their instrument-destroying behavior and […]
