After going electronic on Trans, country and western on Old Ways, and then turning himself into a rockabilly cat with The Shocking Pinks, what else could Neil Young have had in store for fans whose patience was beginning to wear thin as the 1980s drew to a close? Soul man! In 1988, Neil Young put […]
Today in Rock History – January 24
1965, The film Ferry Cross the Mersey premieres at the Liverpool Odeon. It was the first to be shot on location in Liverpool after the city’s emergence into the music mainstream For authenticity, many scenes were shot in clubs near the home of Gerry and the Pacemakers’ frontman Gerry Marsden. Marsden wrote nine new songs […]
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 21
1965, The Byrds record “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The only actual member of the band who performs on the record is lead guitarist/singer Jim McGuinn. Musicians from the fabled “Wrecking Crew,” including Larry Knetchel on bass, Leon Russell on piano, Hal Blaine on drums, Jerry Cole and Bill Pittman on guitar, replace the rest of the […]
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 16
1964, The Dave Clark Five were at number one on the singles chart with “Glad All Over,” the group’s only chart topper. 1964, The Beatles played two shows at the Olympia Theatre, Paris, France, the first of an 18-night engagement. The first show was attended mostly by Paris’ top society members, all dressed in formal […]
Song Of The Day – “Saddle Up The Palomino” by Neil Young
“American Stars And Bars” was one of Neil Young’s most patchy albums, but that’s not because the material on the record is lacking. Quite the contrary, the songs are pretty much top notch throughout this “Whitman Sampler” of styles and sounds. However, the record does seem to get unfairly knocked for several reasons… For one, […]
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 20
1967, Strawberry Alarm Clock were at number one on the singles chart with “Incense And Peppermints.” 1967, The Beach Boys release the Smiley Smile, the follow-up to Pet Sounds. This avant-garde album fails was not warmly received by critics, and failed to chart, despite boasting the singles “Heroes and Villains” and “Good Vibrations.” It has […]
Today in Rock History – November 18
1963, The Beatles received silver LP discs for Please Please Me and With the Beatles at a ceremony held at EMI House in London. They also received a silver EP for Twist and Shout, and a silver single for “She Loves You.” The band then attend a cocktail party and a formal lunch in the […]
