1964, Decca Records released The Rolling Stones’ “Little Red Rooster.” Written by Willie Dixon, as “The Red Rooster,” and previously recorded by Howlin’ Wolf and Sam Cooke, the single was recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago. It was a number one hit in the UK and remains the only time a blues song has ever […]
Today in Rock History – November 9
1965, Wilson Pickett made his UK live debut at the Scotch of St. James Club in London. 1966, John Lennon met Yoko Ono for the first time when he visited her art exhibition “Unfinished Paintings and Objects” at the Indica Gallery in London. 1967, the first issue of Rolling Stone Magazine was published in San […]
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 […]
Today in Rock History – October 30
1961, Two days after Beatles fan Raymond Jones asked for The Beatles’ German single “My Bonnie” (recorded with Tony Sheridan) at Brian Epstein’s NEMS record store in Liverpool, two girls asked for the same record. Epstein’s difficulty in locating the record was due to him not knowing that the record was released, not by The […]
Today in Rock History – October 29
1965, The Rolling Stones kicked off their fourth 37-date North American tour at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 1965, The Who’s new single, “My Generation” backed with “Shout and Shimmy,” is released in the UK by Brunswick. Derek Johnson says in New Musical Express, “Analyse the ingredients for a hit and you’ll find them all […]
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 20
1962, Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt Kickers started a two week run at number one on the US singles chart with “Monster Mash.” It became a number three hit in the UK eleven years later in 1973. The song had been banned by The BBC in the UK, deemed offensive. 1965, The Who performed […]
Today in Rock History – October 18
1964, The Animals kicked off their first headlining UK tour at the ABC in Manchester with Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent and The Nashville Teens supporting. 1964, Taking a day off from their British tour The Beatles go into the studio and complete the recording of six album tracks and the A-side of their next single, […]
Today in Rock History – October 2
1965, The McCoys were at number one on the US singles chart with “Hang On Sloopy.” It was number five in the UK when released on Andrew Oldham’s new Immediate label. The song was first released by The Vibrations and called “My Girl Sloopy.” 1967, All six members of The Grateful Dead were busted by […]
Today in Rock History – September 25
1965, The Beatles cartoon series premiered on ABC TV in the US. The first story was titled I Want To Hold Your Hand and had the group exploring the ocean floor in a diving bell where they met a lovesick octopus. 1965, The Who arrive in Denmark to begin their first Danish tour with a […]
