1963, The Rolling Stones released their debut single, ‘Come On’. Recorded the previous month, the track was originally written and released by Chuck Berry in 1961. The B-side was also a cover version, Willie Dixon’s ‘I Want to Be Loved’. The single reached No.21 in the UK chart.
1964, During their first ever US tour The Rolling Stones were booed off stage at a gig in San Antonio, Texas. Some performing Monkeys who had been the act on before the Stones were brought back on stage for another performance.
1964, During a world tour, The Beatles flew from Amsterdam to Hong Kong. When the plane stopped to refuel in Beirut, police turned firefighting foam on hundreds of fans who had invaded the runway at the airport.
1969, British supergroup Blind Faith, featuring Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Rick Grech and Steve Winwood made their live debut at a free concert in London’s Hyde Park. Their only album release provoked controversy because the cover featured a topless pubescent girl, holding a silver space ship which some perceived as a phallic symbol. The US record company issued it with an alternative cover which showed a photograph of the band on the front. Rumours about the girl’s relationship to the band fuelled the controversy; among them were that she was a groupie kept as a slave by the band members.
1969, The Who’s fourth album, ‘Tommy’ album entered the UK chart, peaking at No.2. One of two full-scale rock operas from The Who (the other being the
1973 ‘Quadrophenia’). The double album tell’s a loose story about a “deaf, dumb and blind boy” who becomes the leader of a messianic movement, Tommy was the first musical work to be billed overtly as a rock opera.
1969, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell both appeared on the first ABC TV Johnny Cash Show from Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Dylan sang I Threw It All Away and Living The Blues and duetted with Johnny Cash on Girl From The North Country.
1975, Elton John’s ninth studio album ‘Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboys’, went to No.1 on the US album chart, the first album ever to enter the US chart at No.1. (where it stayed for seven weeks). Captain Fantastic’ is a concept album that gives an autobiographical glimpse at the struggles John (Captain Fantastic) and Taupin (the Brown Dirt Cowboy) had in the early years of their musical careers in London.
1977, Led Zeppelin played the first of six sold out nights at Madison Square Garden, in New York City during their 11th and final North American tour. Playing a 3 hour set, tickets cost $8.50 – $10.50.
1987, David Bowie played a concert in West Berlin in front of the Reichstag with the speakers pointing towards the nearby Berlin Wall where thousands of young East Berliners stood and listened.
1995, Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood was admitted to hospital after his ear was leaking blood. The problem was diagnosed as his arm movement from continuous guitar playing.
1997, Hanson started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘MMMbop’. Originally called The Hanson Brothers, lead singer Zak Hanson was just 13-years-old at the time of the hit. One of the biggest debut singles of all time; reaching No.1 in 27 countries.
1997, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher played a five-song set at the Tibet Freedom Concert, Downing Stadium in New York City. U2, Patti Smith and Radiohead also appeared at the concert.
1998, Songwriter Wally Gold died in a New Jersey hospital aged 70. Wrote ‘It’s My Party’ hit for Lesley Gore and ‘It’s Now or Never’, hit for Elvis Presley. Member of late 50s group The Four Esquires, produced Kansas & Gene Pitney.
2002, Virgin Records announced they had dropped Victoria Beckham after her debut solo album, which cost over £3 million ($5.1 million) to make, had sold only 50,000 copies.
2007, The funeral of guitarist, singer Bo Diddley took place in Gainesville, Florida. Many in attendance chanted “Hey Bo Diddley” shortly after family members had passed by his coffin as a gospel band played Bo Diddley’s music. At the service, they presented a floral tribute in form of his trademark square guitar.
2010, Former Stereophonics drummer and BBC Radio Wales presenter Stuart Cable, was found dead at him home near Aberdare in Wales aged 40. His new band Killing for Company had been due to appear at the Download rock festival at Donington Park in a few days time. Cable had also been presenting a Rock show on BBC Radio Wales.
2010, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh was granted a restraining order against an elderly neighbor who allegedly threatened to kill him. The man was also ordered to pay more than $1,500 in legal fees.
2012, Bob Welch, an early member of Fleetwood Mac who enjoyed a successful solo career with hits such as ‘Ebony Eyes,’ was found dead after an apparent suicide at home in Nashville. He was 66. Police said Welch’s body was found by his wife Wendy with a single gunshot wound to the chest, and he had left a suicide note. Welch was part of Fleetwood Mac in their early years from 1971 to 1974 and worked on such albums as Future Games and Bare Trees.
2015, Sir Elton John lost his cool during a performance at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium in England after he likened a steward to Hitler as she tried to stop crowds from surging forward during a gig. In an expletive-laden rant, John went on to say it was “not China” and he picked out a female steward, telling her: “You put a uniform on and you think you’re Hitler – well you’re not.”
