Today’s issue checks in on Phil Collins, celebrates Led Zeppelin on the big screen, remembers an Elvis Presley co-star, and dives into deeply personal stories from Stevie Nicks, Elton John, David Bowie, Robert Plant, Rolling Stones, Megadeth, Eagles, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and more…
Have a Rockin Day,
Hippy Pete
TODAY IN CLASSIC ROCK
1957 – Elvis Presley recorded "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" at Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood. Written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe specifically for Elvis, the song became a massive #1 hit, staying at the top for seven weeks and appearing in his movie Loving You.
1962 – The Beatles signed their first management contract with Brian Epstein at his NEMS office in Liverpool. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best all signed, giving Epstein 25% of their earnings. In a remarkable show of faith, Epstein deliberately didn't sign the contract himself—he wanted to prove he could deliver a recording deal first. He finally added his signature on October 1, 1962, just days before "Love Me Do" was released.
1969 – Jethro Tull performed their first concert in the United States at the legendary Fillmore East in New York City, opening for Blood, Sweat & Tears. The venue was managed by iconic promoter Bill Graham, and this debut kicked off a transformative American tour for the British progressive rock band.
1970 – Tragedy struck when James "Shep" Sheppard, lead singer of Shep and the Limelites and The Heartbeats, was found murdered in his car on the Long Island Expressway at age 34. The Limelites had scored a #2 hit in 1961 with "Daddy's Home."
1975 – Pink Floyd recorded tracks for their iconic album Wish You Were Here at Abbey Road Studios in London, continuing work on what would become one of the most beloved albums in rock history.
1976 – Bob Dylan's album Desire began a five-week run at #1 on the US Billboard 200. The album, featuring the hit single "Hurricane" about boxer Rubin Carter, followed Dylan's previous chart-topper Blood on the Tracks and became one of his best-selling studio albums.
1980 – A mysterious billboard promoting Pink Floyd's new album The Wall appeared on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The innovative marketing featured a blank wall, with one brick removed each day to slowly reveal the album title and artwork inside. The Wall had been released on November 30, 1979, and began a 15-week run at #1 on January 19, 1980.
1941 – Neil Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York. The legendary singer-songwriter went on to create timeless hits like "Sweet Caroline," "Cracklin' Rosie," and "Song Sung Blue." He also wrote "I'm a Believer" for The Monkees and penned songs for Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and many others. Neil was a school classmate of Barbra Streisand, and the two sang together in the choir.
1947 – Warren Zevon was born, later becoming famous for "Werewolves of London" and other darkly witty rock classics.
1949 – John Belushi was born in Chicago. The actor and singer formed The Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd on Saturday Night Live, becoming a major figure in the late 1970s rock and blues revival.​​​​​
