Todayâs lineup digs into Beatles memories and tributes, Beach Boys drama, rare Led Zeppelin gear, a heartfelt Billy Joel return, and fresh chapters from Peter Gabriel, Van Halen, Neil Young, Black Sabbath, DEVO, and moreâŚ
Have a Rockin Day,
Hippy Pete
TODAY IN CLASSIC ROCK
1926
George Martin is born in London. Often referred to as the "Fifth Beatle," the legendary producer would shape the sound of The Beatles and popular music forever.
1955. Elvis Presley kicked off a three-date tour in San Angelo, Texas, backed by Scotty Moore and Bill Black, performing as a backing act for headliner Billy Walker. The trio earned $150 for the nightâhumble beginnings for the King of Rock and Roll.
1959. Buddy Holly's last record before his tragic death was released. Coral Records issued "It Doesn't Matter Anymore," penned by Paul Anka, which peaked at #13 just two months after Holly was killed in a plane crash.
1961. The Beatles played at Litherland Town Hall in Liverpool, an important early show. In the audience were two members of Rory Storm & the HurricanesâJohnny Guitar and a young drummer named Ringo Starr, freshly returned from Hamburg, Germany.
1965. The Supremes recorded "Stop! In the Name of Love" at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. studios in Detroit. Written and produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 when released the following month and was later ranked #254 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
1968. Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits achieved Gold status just nine months after release. The album, containing every Dylan Top 40 single through 1967, has since been certified 5X Platinum, peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200, and reached #3 on the UK charts.
1969. Led Zeppelin played the last of four nights at the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, with Alice Cooper as the opening act. The band was billed as "Led Zeppelin featuring Jimmy Page, formerly of the Yardbirds."
1973. Bruce Springsteen released his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., recorded in just a single week. Though it sold only 25,000 copies initially, critics recognized its artistry, and it's now ranked among the greatest debuts of all time.
1973. Aerosmith released their self-titled debut album on Columbia Records, featuring the classic track "Dream On." The album peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200 in 1976.
1974. The Carpenters' compilation The Singles 1969-1973 topped the Billboard 200 chart. Richard Carpenter titled it that way because he disliked the term "greatest hits." The album has since earned 7X Platinum certification in the US and spent 17 non-consecutive weeks at #1 in the UK.
1976. Mal Evans, the beloved Beatles roadie and bodyguard, was shot and killed by police at his Los Angeles apartment at age 40. He was found upset and holding an unloaded rifle; after he pointed it at police, they opened fire.
1979. Prince made his live debut at the Capri Theatre in Minneapolis at just 20 years old, following his signing to Warner Bros. Records. Though executives attended, they felt he needed more development before a major tour.â
