Rock History – August 25
1967, Brian Wilson returned to performing live with The Beach Boys in Honolulu after a two year hiatus. The group had just released “Heroes and Villains.”
1967, Bobbie Gentry started a four week run at number one on the US singles chart with “Ode To Billy Joe,” a number 13 hit in the UK. The song generated eight Grammy nominations, resulting in three wins for Gentry and one win for arranger Jimmie Haskell.
1968, Bluesman Albert King performs at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan.
1970, A party was held to celebrate the official opening of Electric Ladyland studios in New York City, New York. Artists who went on to record at the studio include: Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, AC/DC, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa and Guns N’ Roses.
1970, Elton John made his US live debut when he kicked off a 17-date tour at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. In the audience that night were Don Henley, Quincy Jones and Leon Russell. Elton’s latest single “Border Song” had just debuted at number 92 on the US chart.
1970, Emerson Lake and Palmer made their live debut at The Guildhall, Plymouth, England.
1971, During a North American tour, Led Zeppelin played at Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston, Texas.
1972, Deep Purple perform at the Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1973, Donny Osmond was at number one on the singles chart with “Young Love” his third and last chart topper. Tab Hunter also had a hit with the song in 1957.
1973, One-hit wonders, Stories started a two week run at number one on the singles chart with “Brother Louie”.
1973, Earth Wind and Fire appear at Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York.
1973, Bobby Darin performed his final concert, at the Las Vegas Hilton. He died at the age of 37 on December 20th 1973 following open-heart surgery.
1976, Epic Records releases Boston’s self-titled first album. The album becomes the fastest-selling debut ever.
1979, The Knack started a five week run at number one on the US singles chart with “My Sharona,” the group’s only chart topper. Lead singer Doug Fieger said he was inspired to write the tune by Sharrona Alperin, a 17 year old senior at Los Angeles’ Fairfax High.
1981, R.E.M. appeared at The Scorpio, Charlotte, North Carolina. This show was billed as “Charlotte’s First Gay New Wave Disco and Costume Party”, with the $3 tickets benefiting various gay-lesbian charities.
Born on August 25: Wayne Shorter, sax, Miles Davis, Weather Report (1933); Gene Simmons (1949); Rob Halford, singer, Judas Priest (1951); and Elvis Costello (1954)
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Bobby Darin, Brian Wilson, Deep Purple, Donny Osmond, Earth Wind and Fire, ELP, Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Stories, The Knack.
