1964, The Beatles were atop the UK singles chart with “A Hard Days Night,” the group’s fifth. They would be number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in August. 1964, The Beatles take part in the Night of a Hundred Stars at the London Palladium. 1965, The Kinks perform “You Really Got Me” on […]
Today in Rock History – May 15
1966, Pink Floyd played at The Marquee Club, Wardour Street, London. They were billed as the Pink Floyd Sound, as part of their “Spontaneous Underground” period. 1967, Paul McCartney is hanging out with Keith Moon and Eric Burdon at Georgie Fame concert at the Bag O’Nails club in London. The young American photographer of The […]
Today in Rock History – May 4
1967, Pink Floyd performed at the Locarno Ballroom in Coventry, West Midlands, England. 1968, Steppenwolf make their first appearance on American Bandstand. 1968, The Yardbirds played at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan. 1968, Mary Hopkin won her heat on the ITV talent show Opportunity Knocks. She later signed with The Beatles owned Apple Records, Paul […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “It Don’t Come Easy” by Bettye LaVette
Bettye LaVette had several deep soul hits back in the early 1960s including the 1962 top-ten “My Man, He’s A Lovin’ Man” and 1965’s “Let Me Down Easy.” She then sank into obscurity for nearly 40 years. She was rediscovered by European soul fans in 2000 resulting in several critically acclaimed comeback albums. Here she […]
Today in Rock History – April 29
April 29 1967, The 14-hour Technicolour Dream benefit party for The International Times was held at Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill in London. Seeing the event mentioned on TV, John Lennon called his driver and went to the show. Coincidentally, Yoko Ono was one of the performers. More than thirty acts appeared included The Move, The […]
Today in Rock History – April 27
1966, The Beatles began recording the new John Lennon song “I’m Only Sleeping” at Abbey Road studios London, England. Recording began at 11:30 PM. The band recorded 13 takes, concluding on May 6th. The song features the then-unique sound of a reversed guitar duet played by George Harrison, partly because the tape was played backwards […]
Today in Rock History – April 26
1965, Bob Dylan arrives in England for a tour promoting his new album, Bringing It All Back Home. D.A. Pennebaker films his performances and acerbic exchanges with the press for the documentary Don’t Look Back. 1965, The Who perform at Town Hall in Bridgwater, Summerset, England. They are paid £200 ($320). 1966, Dusty Springfield was […]
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “Dear Prudence” by The Beatles
Prudence was, of course, actress Mia Farrow’s sister. They were in attendance in India studying Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi along with The Beatles, Donovan and Mike Love of the Beach Boys. Prudence was very serious about TM and spent most of her time in her room meditating. Beatle John was concerned for her […]
Today in Rock History – April 17
1965, Bob Dylan”s debut album The Freewheelin” Bob Dylan was at No.1 on the album chart. 1965, Paul McCartney spent the day shopping for furniture in Portobello Road, London disguised in a cloth cap, moustache, glasses and overcoat. 1966, The Who performed at the Regal Cinema in London. 1967, Jimi Hendrix played in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. […]
Today in Rock History – April 2
1964, The Beach Boys recorded their next single “I Get Around,” which became their first US number one in the summer of ’64. 1965, The Who made their first radio appearance on the UK BBC’s Joe Loss Pop Show. 1966, a charity concert at The Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California, took place featuring, Jan and Dean, […]
