1968, Working at Abbey Road studios The Beatles continued with “Cry Baby Cry” adding new vocals, backing vocals, some harmonuim, tambourinnes, and sound effects. They recorded three takes of “Helter Skelter,” including one lasting 27:11, the longest of their career, before the song was redone two months later. 1968, The Grateful Dead release Anthem of […]
Today in Rock History – June 30
1969, Fleetwood Mac, Pentangle and Duster Bennett all appeared at London’s Royal Albert Hall “Pop Proms.” 1969, King Crimson played at the Old Granary, Bristol, England. 1969, Pink Floyd performed a one hour show at the President’s Ball at the Top Rank Suite, in Cardiff, Wales. It was presented by Llandaff Technical College. They were […]
Today in Rock History – June 29
1968, A free concert was held in London’s Hyde Park with Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Tyrannosaurus Rex and Roy Harper. This afternoon concert was the first free festival to be held in Hyde Park. The concert was held to coincide with the release of Pink Floyd’s second album, A Saucerful of Secrets. 1968, The Jeff […]
Today in Rock History – June 10
1966, Steve Marriott of The Small Faces collapsed while performing on UK TV show Ready Steady Go! The group were forced to cancel the following week’s gigs. 1966, Big Brother & the Holding Company perform with their new lead singer, Janis Joplin, for the first time. 1967, In Woodstock, N.Y., Bob Dylan and the Band […]
Today in Rock History – June 3
1966, The Who arrive at a TV studio in Stockholm to appear on the Popside program for Sverige Television. Coming onstage busting through a Union Jack paper hoop, they mime performances of “Daddy Rolling Stone,” “It’s Not True,” “Bald Headed Woman,” “The Kids Are Alright,” “Substitute,” and “My Generation” while standing on a ramp. The […]
Today in Rock History – May 11
1967, Pink Floyd begin two days of recording with producer Joe Boyd, working on the tracks “Interstellar Overdrive,” “Arnold Layne,” “Let’s Roll Another One” and “Nick’s Boogie.” 1967, The Bee Gees made their Top Of The Pops debut performing “New York Mining Disaster” on the UK TV show. 1968, Jimi Hendrix moves into a London […]
Today in Rock History – May 5
1966, The Who performed at Town Hall in Kidderminster, West Midlands, England. 1967 At a performance at the Sporthallen in Eskilstuna, The Who are forced to perform on a small stage meters above the heads of the audience. Pete Townshend cuts the set to five songs in protest. 1968, Buffalo Springfield split up. Richie Fury […]
Today in Rock History – April 20
1968, Deep Purple made their live debut at a gig in Tastrup, Denmark. Formally known as Roundabout, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore suggested a new name, Deep Purple, after his grandmother’s favorite song. “Deep Purple” had been a hit for Peter De Rose. Blackmore’s grandmother had repeatedly asked if they would be performing the song. 1968, Apple […]
Today in Rock History – April 4
1964, The Beatles held the top five places on the US singles chart, with the fifth place – “Please Please Me,” at number four, “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” while at third was “Roll Over Beethoven.” In the second position, “Love Me Do,” and at the top spot, “Can’t Buy Me Love.” They also […]
Today in Rock History – March 24
1965, The Beatles continued filming Help! at Twickenham Studios, England. They shot the interior temple scenes, including the one where they “dive through a hollow sacrificial altar and into water”. That scene was then cut to the swimming pool scene filmed in the Bahamas on February 23. 1966, Simon and Garfunkel made their UK singles […]
