1968, Bee Gee Robin Gibb collapsed, as the group were about to set out on their first US tour. The singer was suffering from nervous exhaustion. 1968, The Steve Miller Band appeared at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan. 1968, Cass Elliot released her first solo single following the break up of The Mamas and […]
Today in Rock History – July 26
1968, The Jackson Five signed a one-year contract with Motown Records. 1968, Decca pulls the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet from its release schedule, citing problems with the sleeve. The design features a graffiti-covered toilet. It’s one of the first disagreements between the band and the label, with Mick Jagger angrily pointing out that Decca released […]
Today in Rock History – July 25
1964, The Beatles third album A Hard Day’s Night started a twenty-one week run at the top of the UK charts. This was the first Beatles album to be recorded entirely on four-track tape, allowing for good stereo mixes. 1965, Bob Dylan plugged in for his headlining set backed by the Butterfield Blues Band at […]
Today in Rock History – July 24
1965, The Byrds were at number one on the UK singles chart with their version of the Bob Dylan song “Mr Tambourine Man.” It was the first Bob Dylan song to reach the top of the charts. Across the Atlantic, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones began the third of it’s four […]
Today in Rock History – July 23
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 – July 22
1963, The Beatles’ first US album, Introducing The Beatles was pressed by Vee-Jay Records, who thought they had obtained the legal rights from EMI affiliate, Trans-Global Records. When it was finally released in January, 1964, Capitol Records would hit Vee Jay with an injunction against manufacturing, distributing, advertising, or otherwise disposing of records by the […]
Today in Rock History – July 21
1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience played the first of three nights at the Cafe-a-Go-Go in New York City. 1968, The Who appeared at Virginia Beach Dome in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 1969, The Beatles started work on the John Lennon song “Come Together” at Abbey Road studios in London. The track became the opening song on […]
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 – July 19
1965, The Who were recorded for broadcast on Radio Luxembourg’s Ready Steady Radio! 1967, Elvis Presley was working on his latest movie Speedway, co-starring Nancy Sinatra at the MGM Soundstage, Hollywood, California. It was Presley’s twenty-seventh film. 1967, The Who played at Patio Gardens in Farmington, Utah. 1967, The Beatles were at number one on […]
Today in Rock History – July 18
1968, Working at Abbey Road studios The Beatles continued with “Cry Baby Cry” adding new vocals, backing vocals, some harmonuim, tambourinnes, and sound effects. They recorded three takes of “Helter Skelter,” including one lasting 27:11, the longest of their career, before the song was redone two months later. 1968, The Grateful Dead release Anthem of […]
