This week we are celebrating the 44th anniversary of “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music” which took place August 15-18th 1969 on Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, N.Y. Of course, everyone knows the festival by its more common name, Woodstock.. While most people are familiar with Santana’s blazing performance of “Soul Sacrifice” that […]
Today in Rock History – August 15
1965, The Beatles set a new world record for the largest attendance at a pop concert when they played in front of 55,600 fans at Shea Stadium in New York City. Also on the bill were Brenda Holloway, The King Curtis Band, The Young Rascals and Sounds Incorporated. The Beatles were paid $160,000 for the […]
Today in Rock History – August 1
1964, “A Hard Day’s Night” went to the top of the charts giving The Beatles their fifth US number one single in seven months. 1964, Billboard Magazine reported that the harmonica was making a comeback in a big way thanks to its use by Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Bob Dylan. 1965, […]
Today in Rock History – July 20
1965, Bob Dylan releases “Like a Rolling Stone.” The single becomes his first major hit, reaching number two on the US charts. The song remained on the charts for twelve weeks. It was recorded on June 15th and 16th at Columbia Studio A, on Seventh Avenue in New York. Then session musician Al Kooper improvised […]
Today in Rock History – June 16
1965, Bob Dylan recorded “Like A Rolling Stone” at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City, during sessions for the forthcoming Highway 61 Revisited album. Session musicians included Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper, whose Hammond organ on “Like A Rolling Stone” became one of rock’s most recognizable sounds. 1965, The Who’s manager Chris Stamp goes […]
Today in Rock History- April 18
1968, During a European tour, Pink Floyd played two shows at the Piper Club, in Rome, Italy. 1969, Lulu married Bee Gee Maurice Gibb, Brother Barry was the best man. The couple split in 1973. 1969, Jimi Hendrix performed at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, Tennessee. 1970, Santana, Taj Mahal and It”s A Beautiful Day all […]
Today in Rock History – March 18
1965, Excerpts from six numbers performed by The Who at The Marquee Club in February appear on a French Television programme called Seize Millions de Jeunes on ORTF TV 2. It is part of documentary about Mods shot by two French acquaintances of the band’s co-manager Chris Stamp. A scheduled appearance that day at the […]
Today in Rock History – March 8
1964, On The Ed Sullivan Show, the Dave Clark Five perform “Glad All Over.” Comparing them to the Rolling Stones, Sullivan declares the Five “nice, neat boys.” They would perform more times on his show than any other rock act. 1965, Bob Dylan’s single “Subterranean Homesick Blues” was released in the US. The lead track […]
Today in Rock History – February 16
1964, The Beatles made their second live appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, exactly one week after the first. Before an audience of 3,500 at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. 1965, The Who perform at the Marquee Club where they are filmed for French television performing “Heatwave,” “Tell Me More,” “Shout and Shimmy,” […]
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, […]
