1964, During a US tour Beach Boy Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown during a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. Wilson left the band to concentrate on writing and producing. Glen Campbell replaced Wilson for the bands live shows. 1964, Radio London, one of England’s first offshore “pirate” radio stations, begins broadcasting. Ella Fitzgerald’s […]
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 13
1966, Jimi Hendrix made his British TV debut on ITV’s Ready Steady Go! Marc Bolan was also on the show. The Jimi Hendrix Experience also recorded “Foxy Lady” on this day. The United States version of Are You Experienced listed the song with a spelling mistake as “Foxey Lady” and this is how it is […]
Song Of The Day – “Lovely Rita” by The Beatles
I just heard The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band for the first time today! Well, that’s not entirely true. I’ve been listening to this record since it was new. I guess that’s one of the big positives of having older siblings, you got to hear cool records when they came out, way before […]
Today in Rock History – December 9
1966, Supergroup Cream released their debut studio album Fresh Cream in the UK. The power trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker also released their second single “I Feel Free” on the same day. 1967, The Doors appeared at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut. Before the show, a policeman found singer […]
Today in Rock History – December 6
1962, During sessions for the Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan album, Dylan recorded “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” and versions of “Hero Blues,” “Whatcha Gonna Do,” “Oxford Town,” and “I Shall Be Free,” at Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios in New York City. 1964, The film Ferry Cross The Mersey premiered in London. Featuring Gerry And The […]
Today in Rock History – December 1
1964, The Who played the first of 22 consecutive Tuesday night gigs at The Marquee Club in London, the band were paid £50 ($80) for each gig. 1965, during a North America tour The Rolling Stones appeared at the Vancouver Auditorium, Vancouver, British Columbia. 1966, Tom Jones was atop on the singles chart with his […]
Song Of The Day – “Knocking ‘Round The Zoo” by James Taylor
It is indeed a fascinating story as to how a singer songwriter from America who was recovering from heroin addiction came to the attention of The Beatles in 1968, leading to the release of the first album by an American artist on their newly-christened Apple record label. James Taylor came from a wealthy family and […]
Today in Rock History – November 29
1965, This week’s UK Top 5 albums, number five, Out Of Our Heads, The Rolling Stones, number four, Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan, number three, Help!, The Beatles, number two, Mary Poppins Soundtrack, and at number one, Sound Of Music Soundtrack. 1965, Colorado Governor John A. Love declared a Rolling Stones day throughout the State […]
Today in Rock History – November 27
1964, The Beatles release their single “I Feel Fine” in the U.K. and perform on the British TV show Ready Steady Go! Beatles manager Brian Epstein denies US reports that he will sell his contract with the band “at any price.” 1965, The Who’s “My Generation” reaches its UK peak at number two, being beaten […]
