1963, Janis Joplin performs in San Francisco for the first time, singing at the North Beach coffeehouse. In lieu of money, Janis passes the hat for beers. She often sings a cappella at the Coffee Confusion and the Coffee Gallery, occasionally accompanied by Jorma Kaukonen (future guitarist with Jefferson Airplane). Joplin sings Bessie Smith and […]
Today in Rock History – January 23
1964, The Searchers were at number one on the singles chart with the Sonny Bono song “Needles And Pins.” 1965, The Who play the Corn Exchange at Chelmsford and then an all-night rave at the Club Noreik in Tottenham. Opening for The Who at the all-night rave is The Muleskinners featuring future Small Faces’ keyboardist, […]
Today in Rock History – January 18
1964, The Beatles made their US chart debut when “I Want To Hold Your Hand” entered the chart at number 45 just ten days after its release, making it the fastest-breaking and the fastest selling single in Capitol Records history. It went on to spend seven weeks at the number one position. 1965, The Rolling […]
Today in Rock History – January 17
1964, The Rolling Stones released their first EP, which included, “You Better Move On,” “Poison Ivy,” “Bye Bye Johnny,” and “Money.” It peaked at number 15 on the UK chart. 1966, NBC-TV bought The Monkees series, placing it on their 1966 autumn schedule. 1967, The Daily Mail ran the story about a local council survey […]
Today in Rock History – January 12
1964, The Beatles appeared on the ATV show Sunday Night At The London Palladium performing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “This Boy,” “All My Loving,” “Money,” and “Twist And Shout.” The compare for the evening was Bruce Forsyth. When The Beatles appeared on this show on October 13, 1963, their fee had been £250 ($400.) […]
Today in Rock History – January 9
1965, The Beatles started a nine week run at number one on the album chart with Beatles 65, the group’s fourth chart topper. 1965, John Lennon makes a guest appearance on the British satirical TV show Not Only, opposite comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. 1966, The Who played at the Cosmopolitan Club in Carlisle, […]
Today in Rock History – January 7
1964, The Beatles recorded a seven-song appearance for the BBC Radio program Saturday Club. They played All My Loving, Money, The Hippy Hippy Shake, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Roll Over Beethoven Johnny B. Goode, and I Wanna Be Your Man. The show was broadcast on February 15, while the Beatles were in the […]
Today in Rock History – December 31
1966, The Monkees started a seven-week run at number one on the singles charts with the Neil Diamond song “I’m A Believer.” 1966, Ray Charles appeared at the City Center Arena in Seattle Washington. The tickets cost $4.50 at the door. 1966, The Move, Pink Floyd, and The Who appeared at the New Year’s Eve […]
Today in Rock History – December 27
1967, The Doors appeared on The Jonathon Winters Show on CBS TV from Los Angeles. 1967, Bob Dylan releases his long-awaited follow-up to the Blonde on Blonde album, John Wesley Harding. Rolling Stone declares, “Without a doubt this is another major musical step for Bob Dylan. The predominance of country blues, white and black, from […]
Today in Rock History – December 26
1964, The Beatles started a three week run at number one on the singles chart with “I Feel Fine.” It was the group’s sixth chart topper of the year in which they had 30 entries on the chart, giving them a total of 18 weeks at the top of the charts. 1964, The Rolling Stones […]
