Today in 1968, Iron Butterfly’s “In-a-Gadda-da-Vita” reached the charts. It is said to be the first heavy metal song to chart. It charted at number 117.
At the other end of the charts was South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela:
Quite a selection of birthdays today, starting with T.G. Sheppard:
David Bowie might remember today for two reasons. In 1974, his “Diamond Dog” tour ended in New York City …
… six years before he appeared in Denver as the title character of “The Elephant Man.”
As far as I know, Deep Purple never performed Greg Kihn’s “The Breakup Song.” They could have, though, because today in 1976, they broke up.
Birthdays start with George Frayne. You might know him better as Commander Cody:
Alan Gorrie of the Average White Band:
Bernie Leadon, part of the first lineup of the Eagles …
… was born the same day as Brian May of Queen:
Keith Godchaux played keyboards for the Grateful Dead:
Allen Collins played guitar for Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Rossington–Collins Band:
The number one album today in 1980 was Billy Joel’s “Glass Houses”:
Birthdays start with a pioneer in the transition from blues to rock and roll, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins:
Dion DiMucci, better known by his first name:
Lonnie Mack:
Martha Reeves, who led the Vandellas (and is this first song appropriate this summer):
Danny McCullock of the Animals:
Cesar Zuiderwijk, drummer for Golden Earring:
Phil Harris, drummer for one-hit-wonder Ace:
Two Beatles anniversaries of note today: The movie “Yellow Submarine” premiered in London …
… six years before John Lennon was ordered to leave the U.S. within 60 days. (He didn’t.)
Birthdays today start with pianist Vince Guaraldi. Who? The creator of the Charlie Brown theme (correct name: “Linus and Lucy”):
This is a slow day in rock music, save for one particular birthday and one death.
It’s not Tony Jackson of the Searchers …
… or Tom Boggs, drummer for the Box Tops …
Today in 1963, Paul McCartney was fined 17 pounds for speeding. I’d suggest that that may have been the inspiration for his Wings song “Hell on Wheels,” except that the correct title is actually “Helen Wheels,” supposedly a song about his Land Rover:
Today in 1984, John Lennon released “I’m Stepping Out.” The fact that Lennon stepped out of planet Earth at the hands of assassin Mark David Chapman 3½ years before this song was released was immaterial.
Birthdays today start with David Pack of Ambrosia:
Guitarist Jeff Carlisi of .38 Special:
Guitarist Joe Satriani:
Today in 1967, the Who opened the U.S. tour of … Herman’s Hermits.
Today in 1986, Paul McCartney released his “Press” album:
Other than Woody Guthrie, who was not a member of the rock or pop music worlds, the only birthday of today is Jos Zoomer, drummer for Vandenberg:
Today in 1984, Philippe Wynne, former member of the Spinners, died of a heart attack while performing in Oakland:
The short list of birthdays begins with Roger McGuinn of the Byrds:
Stephen Jo Bladd was the drummer for the J. Geils Band:
Mark “Animal” Mendoza of Twisted Sister:
Bobby Rock was the drummer for the brothers Nelson:
Today is the anniversary of the Rolling Stones’ first public performance, at the Marquee Club in London in 1962. They were known then as the “Rollin’ Stones,” and they had not recorded a song yet.
If you’re going to record just one song that gets on the charts, ending at number one would be preferable, whether in 1969, or in the year 2525:
Today in 1979 was one of the most bizarre moments in baseball history and/or radio station history:
Today in 1969, David Bowie launched “Space Oddity” …
… and the Rolling Stones released “Honky Tonk Woman”:
The number one song, alone, today in 1987:
Steve Prestegard.com: The Presteblog 