1964, During a US tour Beach Boy Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown during a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. Wilson left the band to concentrate on writing and producing. Glen Campbell replaced Wilson for the bands live shows. 1964, Radio London, one of England’s first offshore “pirate” radio stations, begins broadcasting. Ella Fitzgerald’s […]
Today in Rock History – November 30
1963, The Beatles second album With The Beatles became the first million selling album by a group in the UK. 1968, Glen Campbell started a five-week run at number one on the album chart with “Wichita Lineman.” The song was written by Jimmy Webb, who’s inspiration for the lyrics came while driving through Washita County […]
Today in Rock History – June 21
1967, Jimi Hendrix and the Jefferson Airplane perform at San Francisco’s Fillmore. 1968, The Who appeared at Durham University, Durham, England. 1969, Young David Bowie signs with Mercury Records. The label has to wait three years for him to produce a successful follow-up to “Space Oddity.” 1969, Jimi Hendrix plays the Newport Jazz Festival for […]
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 12
1965, The Rolling Stones recorded “(I Can’t Get No), Satisfaction” at RCA Hollywood studios. Keith Richards had come up with the guitar riff in the middle of the night a week earlier. It gave the band their first number one single in the US. 1967, Pink Floyd play London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, one of their […]
Today in Rock History – March 2
1967, The ninth annual Grammy Awards are held. Frank Sinatra’s Sinatra, A Man and His Music wins Album of the Year, while “Strangers in the Night” is named Record of the Year. John Lennon and Paul McCartney win the Song of the Year Grammy for “Michelle.” 1967, Engelbert Humperdinck was at number one on the […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Watcher Of The Skies” by Genesis
The story of Genesis was a tale of two bands. One was led by Peter Gabriel, and created some of the finest and most challenging progressive rock of the early seventies. Once Gabriel left after their 1974 magnum opus The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, drummer Phil Collins stepped up to front the band leading […]
