Today in rock history 15th January

1928 – According to bluesman Howlin’ Wolf, today was the day he bought his first guitar. “Cost me only five dollars,” he claimed. 1941 – Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) is born in Glendale, Calif. 1948 – Born on this day, Ronnie Van Zant, vocalist with Lynyrd Skynyrd 1952 – Born on this day, Melvyn Gale, cello, Electric Light Orchestra 1959 – Pete Trewavas, bassist with English ’80s prog rockers Marillion, is born in Middlesborough. 1965 – The Who release their single “I Can’t Explain” in the U.K., where it goes to No. 8. 1965 – Bob Dylan completes the recording of Bringing It All Back Home. His magnum opus (so far) was laid down in two days. 1965 – Born on this day, Adam Jones, guitarist, Tool. 1966 – The Beatles remain at No. 1 this week in the United States with “We Can Work It Out.” 1967 – Donovan appeared at The Royal Albert Hall, London, Paul McCartney and George Harrison both attended the show. 1970 – Bag One, an exhibition of John Lennon’s lithographs, opens at the London Art Gallery. 1972 – Manager Peter Grant turns down an invitation for “Led Zeppelin and his musicians” to play in Cannes, France, by publishing the request in today’s issue of Record Retailer. 1973 – The Rolling Stones announce a benefit concert for Managua, Nicaragua. The hometown of Bianca Jagger was recently devastated by an earthquake. 1977 – The Eagles went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Hotel California’ the group’s third US No.1 album. 1980 – The Ramones appeared live on UK BBC TV music show The Old Grey Whistle Test. 1984 – Bette Midler films the video for her cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden” with Mick Jagger. 1991 – Sean Lennon’s updated version of his father John’s ‘Give Peace A Chance’ was released to coincide with the United Nation’s midnight deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. 1992 – Elton John’s bassist Dee Murray dies of cancer in Nashville. 1994 – Harry Nilsson, a pal of John Lennon’s whose golden pipes appeared on classics like “Everybody’s Talkin'” and “Without You,” dies from heart disease in Agoura Hills, Calif. 1998 - Harmonica player Junior Wells, who played with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison & Buddy Guy died of lymphoma. He was 63 years old. 2001 – The Brit awards committee announces that U2 will receive an Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the February 26 ceremony in London, despite actually coming from Ireland. 2008 – Ronnie Wood was recovering following an operation for a hernia after he sustained the injury during the band’s recent Bigger Bang tour. The 60-year-old Rolling Stones guitarist was told to rest for two months after the procedure