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Today's newsletter celebrates legendary moments and exclusive updates from the icons who shaped rock music. From Beatles legends reflecting on reunions and iconic interviews with royalty, to Bruce Springsteen's cinematic deep dive and Elton John's golden anniversary celebration, we're diving into stories that remind us why these artists remain timeless. Don't miss what Rolling Stones insiders are saying about the future.

Today in Classic Rock History

1957
Buddy Holly and the Crickets released their second single "Oh, Boy!" backed with "Not Fade Away." The record, attributed to "The Crickets" rather than "Buddy Holly" due to contractual obligations with Decca, peaked at #10 on the US charts and #3 in the UK. This influential single would later inspire the Beatles to cover "That'll Be the Day" in 1958 and the Rolling Stones to make "Not Fade Away" their first top-ten UK hit in 1964.
Watch: Oh, Boy!

1960
Ben E. King recorded the timeless classic "Stand By Me" at Atlantic Records following his departure from the Drifters. Co-written with legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song was inspired by an old spiritual and recorded during leftover studio time after his "Spanish Harlem" session. It became one of the Songs of the Century and the fourth most performed song of the 20th century, with over 500 cover versions by artists ranging from John Lennon to Muhammad Ali.
Listen: Stand By Me

1964
Salvatore Philip "Sonny" Bono, 31, married Cherilyn Sarkisian (Cher), 18, in a private ceremony. For a time they performed together as Caesar and Cleo before changing their name to Sonny & Cher. Their union would last twelve years and produce the iconic 1965 hit "I Got You Babe," catapulting them to international fame as one of the most beloved duos in pop culture history.
Watch: Their Story

1969
Ringo Starr began recording his debut solo album "Sentimental Journey" at EMI Studios with producer George Martin. The album featured 12 pre-rock 'n' roll standards from his Liverpool childhood that his mother Elsie used to sing. Ringo recalled, "I was lost for a while after the Beatles... I just thought of all those songs I was brought up with," marking his first steps as a solo artist during the final months of the Beatles.
Watch: Sentimental Journey

1970
Black Sabbath made their live debut in the United States at Glassboro State College in New Jersey, launching their first American tour. The pioneering heavy metal band, featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, brought their dark, doom-laden sound to American audiences just as their second album "Paranoid" was being released, forever changing the landscape of rock music.
Watch: Early Performance

1972
Elton John released "Crocodile Rock" in the UK, a nostalgic tribute to early rock 'n' roll records of the 1960s. Recorded at the Château d'Hérouville studio in France and co-written with Bernie Taupin, the infectious single became Elton's first US number-one hit, staying at the top for three consecutive weeks in early 1973. The song captured the spirit of rock's golden age with its upbeat melody and memorable chorus.
Watch: Crocodile Rock Live

1975
Bruce Springsteen made rock history by becoming the first rock musician to simultaneously appear on the covers of both Time and Newsweek magazines in the same week. The unprecedented feat came just two months after the release of "Born to Run," the breakthrough album that finally launched "The Boss" into rock's stratosphere and cemented his status as one of music's most important voices.
Watch: The Story

Have a Rockin Day,
Hippy Pete