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 – December 5
1965, The Beatles played their last ever show in their hometown of Liverpool when they appeared at The Liverpool Empire during the group’s final UK tour. Only 5,100 tickets were available, but there were 40,000 applications for tickets. 1965, The Rolling Stones played two shows at the Convention Hall in San Diego, California on the […]
Today in Rock History – November 22
1963, The Beatles released their second album With The Beatles, which spent 51 weeks on the UK charts. 1963, President John F. Kennedy is shot in Dallas, Texas as his motorcade passes through downtown. He is pronounced dead at Parkland Medical Center. 1964, The Who appeared at the Goldhawk Social Club in London. 1965, Bob […]
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 […]
Today in Rock History – November 15
1966, The Doors officially signed with Elektra Records in a deal for the band to produce seven albums. The band also reluctantly agreed to release “Break On Through” as their first single. The lyric “She gets high/she gets high/she gets high” was changed to “She gets/she gets/she gets” in order to secure radio play. 1967, […]
Today in Rock History – October 26
1963, Bob Dylan played a sell out concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. 1965, Queen Elizabeth II invested The Beatles with their MBE’s at Buckingham Palace, London. According to an account by John Lennon, the group smoked marijuana in one of the palace bathrooms to calm their nerves. Many former recipients gave their […]
Today in Rock History – October 19
1966, The Yardbirds arrived in New York for their first US tour with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on lead guitars. After two dates of the tour, Beck developed acute tonsillitis and quit the group. He would go on to form The Jeff Beck Group, giving Rod Stewart his first major exposure. 1966, Roger Daltrey, […]
Today in Rock History – October 3
1967, American singer, songwriter Woody Guthrie died after suffering from Huntington’s Chorea disease. Guthrie was a major influence on Bob Dylan and American folk music. The ’70s film Bound For Glory is based on his life. His best-known song is “This Land Is Your Land,” which is regularly sung in American schools. 1967, James Brown […]
Today in Rock History – September 28
1968, The Beatles started a nine week run at number one on the singles chart with “Hey Jude.” The Paul McCartney penned tune was about Lennon’s son Julian, and gave the Fab Four their sixteenth chart topper, and the biggest selling single of 1968. 1968, The Rascals went to number one on the album chart […]
Today in Rock History – September 11
1967, Filming began for The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. There was no script, nor a very clear idea of exactly what was to be accomplished, not even a clear direction about where the bus was supposed to go. The “Magical Mystery Tour” bus set off for the West Country in England stopping for the night […]
