Saturday 20 May 2017

Today in rock history 20th May

1944 – Joe Cocker (John Cocker) is born in Sheffield 1960 – The Silver Beetles consisting of John, Paul, George, Stu Stucliffe and Tommy Moore play their first tour 1966 – After waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to show for a gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England, Roger Daltrey and Pete grab the drummer and bassist from their opening act and proceed to play the night. Keith and John finally arrive in the middle of the set. Harsh words and a fight proceeded until it ended with Pete hit Keith with his guitar. 1967 - Jimi Hendrix signed a U.S. record deal with Reprise Records. 1968 - The Who’s guitarist Pete Townshend married Karen Astley, daughter of composer Ted Astley. They would later separate in 1994 & divorce in 2000. 1968 – On returning from India, The Beatles tape 23 new songs on George Harrison’s 4 track 1969 – Led Zeppelin begins a 3 day recording session at A&R Studios 1970 – The last Beatles film, “Let It Be,” premieres in London. 1977 – The stage show “Beatlemania” opens at the Winter Garden Theater, New York. 1979 – Elton John plays Leningrad and becomes the first Western solo pop star to tour the Soviet Union. 1995 – Don Henley married model Sharon Summerall. Guests included Billy Joel, Randy Newman, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen. 1997 – U2 caused traffic chaos in Kansas City, Missouri after they paid for traffic control to close down five lanes so they could shoot the video for ‘Last Night On Earth’. Apart form major traffic jams a passing Cadillac crashed into a plate glass window trying to avoid a cameraman. 1998 – Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward takes ill and is hospitalized in London. Ward was to join the band for its first European tour since 1978. 1998 – Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee is sentenced to six months in jail and three years’ probation for kicking his soon-to-be ex-wife, onetime “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson, as she holds their infant son. The verdict also specifies that Lee complete 200 hours of community service and donate $5,000 to a battered women’s shelter. 2001 – R.E.M. started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Reveal’. 2006 – Heavy metal monsters Lordi became Finland’s first ever Eurovision Song Contest winners after their song Hard Rock Hallelujah won in Athens. 2007 – Linkin Park went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Minutes To Midnight’ the bands fifth Top 20 UK album. Also a US No.1. 2007 - Rush singer & bassist Geddy Lee made an appearance on Bob and Doug McKenzie Two-Four Anniversary special which aired in Canada. A short film of Bob and Doug would be shown as an intro to a song on their tour that year. 2013 – Ray Manzarek of The Doors died on this day

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