1965, Blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, Sonny Boy Williamson died in his sleep. Van Morrison, Aerosmith, The Who, The Animals, Yardbirds, and Moody Blues all covered his songs. According to the Led Zeppelin biography Hammer of the Gods, touring the UK in the 60’s, Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying […]
Today in Rock History – May 24
1966, Captain Beefheart appeared at the Whisky a Go Go. West Hollywood, California. Supported by Buffalo Springfield and The Doors. 1967, Jimi Hendrix played at Gröna Lund in Copenhagen, Denmark. 1968, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band appeared at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan. 1968, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull are arrested on charges of […]
Today in Rock History – May 21
1965, The Who’s second single, “Anyway Anyhow Anywhere” backed with “Daddy Rolling Stone” is released in the UK on Brunswick. Derek Johnson in New Musical Express calls is “a wild racer, with just about every conceivable gimmick…it commands attention and should do well.” 1967, Jimi Hendrix signed with Reprise Records on the US Warner Brothers […]
Today in Rock History – May 14
1964, Jan & Dean start recording “Little Old Lady (From Pasadena).” 1965, The Who appeared at Civic Hall in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. 1965, San Francisco radio station KYA hosts the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, Beau Brummels, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and the Vejtables at the Civic Auditorium. 1966, The Who played at Palais in […]
Today in Rock History – May 13
1967, The Monkees second album More Of The Monkees, went to No.1 on the charts. In 1967 only four albums reached No.1; The Sound Of Music which spent 17 weeks at No.1, The Beatles Sgt Pepper”s, 25 weeks at No.1 and The Monkees” first and second albums spent 9 weeks at No.1. 1967, The Who played at the […]
Today in Rock History – May 11
1967, Pink Floyd begin two days of recording with producer Joe Boyd, working on the tracks “Interstellar Overdrive,” “Arnold Layne,” “Let’s Roll Another One” and “Nick’s Boogie.” 1967, The Bee Gees made their Top Of The Pops debut performing “New York Mining Disaster” on the UK TV show. 1968, Jimi Hendrix moves into a London […]
Today in Rock History – May 8
1965, Shooting of the promotional film for Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” took place at the side of the Savoy Hotel in London. Actors in the background were Allen Ginsberg and Bob Neuwirth. The cards that Dylan held up to the camera were painted by Alan Price and Joan Baez. 1966, Pink Floyd appeared at […]
Today in Rock History – May 7
1966, The Mamas and the Papas started a three week run at number one on the singles chart with “Monday Monday.” The group was reported, as saying they all hated the song except for its writer John Phillips. The Mamas and the Papas won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or […]
Today in Rock History – May 6
1965, In their Clearwater, Florida hotel room, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards worked out the opening guitar riff of “Satisfaction,” following Richard’s purchase of a Gibson fuzz-box earlier that day. 1966, The Who appeared at the Top Hat Ballroom in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. 1966, Working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded overdubs […]
Today in Rock History – May 5
1966, The Who performed at Town Hall in Kidderminster, West Midlands, England. 1967 At a performance at the Sporthallen in Eskilstuna, The Who are forced to perform on a small stage meters above the heads of the audience. Pete Townshend cuts the set to five songs in protest. 1968, Buffalo Springfield split up. Richie Fury […]
