1964, The Beatles scored their first number one album with Meet The Beatles! The album stayed at the top of the charts for eleven weeks. 1964, The Dave Clark Five appeared on the UK TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars. 1965, American singer and pianist Nat King Cole died of lung cancer. His first hit was the […]
Today in Rock History – January 25
1963, Janis Joplin performs in San Francisco for the first time, singing at the North Beach coffeehouse. In lieu of money, Janis passes the hat for beers. She often sings a cappella at the Coffee Confusion and the Coffee Gallery, occasionally accompanied by Jorma Kaukonen (future guitarist with Jefferson Airplane). Joplin sings Bessie Smith and […]
Today in Rock History – January 18
1964, The Beatles made their US chart debut when “I Want To Hold Your Hand” entered the chart at number 45 just ten days after its release, making it the fastest-breaking and the fastest selling single in Capitol Records history. It went on to spend seven weeks at the number one position. 1965, The Rolling […]
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 – December 2
1967, The Monkees album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd went to number one on the album chart. It was their fourth album to sell over a million copies, following The Monkees, More Of The Monkees and Headquarters. 1967, Pink Floyd play at The Dome in Brighton, England 1969, George Harrison joins Delaney & Bonnie […]
Today in Rock History – November 26
1967, This was the 10th date on a 16-date UK package tour that Pink Floyd played alongside The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move, The Nice, The Eire Apparent, The Outer Limits and Amen Corner. Tonight’s date was at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, and as with all of the dates, there were two shows per night. […]
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 14
1967, a 16 date UK package tour with Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Move, The Nice, and Amen Corner kicked off at the Royal Albert Hall, London. All acts played two shows per night. 1969, The Allman Brothers Band performed on the Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts. 1969, “Sugar Sugar” by The Archies was at […]
Today in Rock History – November 7
1967, The Beatles finished recording “Blue Jay Way,” “Flying,” and “Magical Mystery Tour.” The Beatles have only six songs, not enough for an album so decided to issue a double-EP. Capitol Records didn’t think the double-EP format would be acceptable for the US market, so they decide to put out an album instead. The album […]
Today in Rock History – October 24
1964, The Rolling Stones kicked off an 11-date North American tour playing two shows at The New York Academy of Music. 1966, The Who performed at Folkparken, Halmstad, Sweden. 1967, The Who record an acoustic version of “Mary Anne With The Shaky Hands” at De Lane Lea Studios in London. 1969, Yes performed at Nottingham […]
