1967, Pink Floyd released their debut album The Piper At the Gates of Dawn in the UK, on which most songs were penned by Syd Barrett. When reviewed by the two main UK music papers, Record Mirror and NME both gave the album four stars out of five. The album was recorded at Abbey Road studios, […]
Today in Rock History – July 3
1967, A private party was held at the Speakeasy Club in London, England for The Monkees. Guests included: John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Dusty Springfield, Eric Clapton, Lulu, and all the members from Manfred Mann, The Who and Procol Harum. 1967, Jimi Hendrix performed at The Scene in New York City. 1967, Pink Floyd […]
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 25
1964, The Beatles have an incredible 14 singles on the American chart. 1965, During a North American tour, The Rolling Stones played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto to over 16,000 fans. 1965, The Who performed at Trade Union Hall in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. 1967, Just days after the completion of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts […]
Today in Rock History – March 11
1965, Tom Jones was at number one on the singles chart with “It’s Not Unusual.” 1965, The Who go into IBC Studios, London to record their first album. Songs known to be recorded on this date are Pete Townshend’s “You’re Gonna Know Me” (later retitled “Out In The Street”), plus covers of James Brown’s “Please […]
Today in Rock History – March 1
1967, The Beatles began recording “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” at Abbey Road studios, London. Work on the new John Lennon song began the day before with extensive rehearsals. Despite the acronym of the song spelling out LSD, the origins of the composition came from a drawing that Lennon’s son Julian had made of […]
Today in Rock History – November 11
1965, The final recording session for The Beatles Rubber Soul album took place, at Abbey Road, London. They needed four new songs to finish the album so an old song “Wait” is pulled off the shelf and work is completed on “I’m Looking Through You.” The band recorded two new songs from start to finish. […]
Today in Rock History – November 8
1965, The Beatles worked on a new George Harrison song “Think For Yourself” at Abbey Road for their forthcoming Rubber Soul album. After rehearsing the song, they recorded the basic instrumental track in one take. 1966, The Who go into CBS Studios in London and record at least two takes of the backing track for […]
Book Report: Bobby Skafish – We Have Company
I’m supremely jealous. Bobby Skafish had the ultimate gig. Interview some of the biggest rock stars on the planet at the behest of Chicago’s prominent rock stations. Wow. And now he’s recounting his experiences as interviewer, emcee, and observer. The book is called “We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters.” Rock music […]
