Todayâs issue dives into ZZ Topâs millionâdollar beard gamble, a heartwarming Billy Joel comeback moment, a streaming revival for David Bowie, and fresh looks at Beatles, Pink Floyd, Supertramp classics, and more...
Have a Rockin Day,
Hippy Pete
TODAY IN CLASSIC ROCK
1956
Dean Martin's "Memories Are Made of This" hit #1 on the Billboard Top 100 for the first of six weeks, proving crooners still had a place in the emerging rock era.
1961
Johnny Tillotson held down the top spot on the UK singles chart with "Poetry In Motion." The song had peaked at #2 in America in November 1960.
1964
The Beatles recorded a historic seven-song session at the BBC, performing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and other classics that would help launch the British Invasion.
1969
The Scaffoldâthe comedy trio featuring Paul McCartney's younger brother Mikeâled the UK singles chart with the novelty hit "Lily The Pink." Elton John and Graham Nash contributed backing vocals, while Jack Bruce of Cream played bass.
1971
Black Sabbath released their landmark album Paranoid in America, solidifying heavy metal's place in rock history.
1978
The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack entered the Billboard 200, eventually hitting #1 and selling over 40 million copies worldwide.
1980
Led Zeppelin's "In Through the Out Door" was awarded Platinum certificationâthe last album released before drummer John Bonham's death in September of that year. Pink Floyd released "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" in the US, which became their only #1 hit in America.
1981
The album Eagles Live went Platinum, marking the final Eagles album until their 1994 comeback.
2020
Neil Peart, the legendary drummer and lyricist for progressive rock pioneers Rush, died at age 67 following a three-year battle with brain cancer. Peart was revered for his technical mastery and epic live solos featuring complex time signatures.â
