Today's edition is packed with classic rock legends making headlines! The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Pink Floyd dominate today's storiesâplus exclusive coverage of Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and moreâŚ
Have a Rockin Day,
Hippy Pete
TODAY IN CLASSIC ROCK
1957
Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown in what became one of rock and roll's most notorious scandals. The controversial marriage, which occurred while Lewis was still legally married to another woman, devastated his career at the height of his fame following "Great Balls of Fire."
1960
Aretha Franklin made her New York stage debut, performing blues and pop standards at the legendary Village Vanguard nightclub, marking an early milestone in the Queen of Soul's remarkable career.
1961
Motown Records achieved their first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when The Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" topped the chart. The historic recording featured a 22-year-old Marvin Gaye on drums and would remain on the chart for 23 weeks.
1961
Elvis Presley's soundtrack album Blue Hawaii began an extraordinary 20-week run at number one on the Billboard chart, becoming his seventh chart-topping album.
1966
Elton John (then known as Reginald Dwight) had a pivotal moment when his group Bluesology opened for Little Richard at London's Saville Theatre. Watching Little Richard's electrifying performanceâstanding on top of the piano in lights and sequinsâinspired the young pianist to pursue rock and roll stardom.
1968
The Rolling Stones began filming their legendary Rock and Roll Circus at Intertel Studios in Wembley, England. The all-star spectacular featured The Who, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, and Marianne Faithfull. The supergroup The Dirty Macâfeaturing Lennon, Keith Richards, Clapton, and Mitch Mitchellâperformed together. The 15-hour marathon filming session would be Brian Jones' final appearance with the Stones. The BBC declined to broadcast it, and it remained unreleased until 1996.
1970
John Lennon released his groundbreaking debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. The raw, emotionally devastating recordâfeaturing Ringo Starr on drums and Klaus Voormann on bassâwas heavily influenced by Lennon's primal therapy sessions and included the powerful tracks "Mother," "Working Class Hero," and "God," where he famously sang "I don't believe in Beatles."
1972
Genesis played their first US concert at Brandeis University in Boston, a sparsely attended warm-up show before their official American debut two days later at New York's Philharmonic Hall.
1976
Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat" entered the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at number 8 the following March and becoming one of the era's most distinctive hits.
1979
The Cars released "Double Life," the third and final single from their second studio album Candy-O.
