Tuesday, July 19, 2011

This Week In Rock History

1958—Julia Lennon, the mother of John Lennon, is struck and killed by an intoxicated off-duty police officer. John was only 17 at the time of his mother's death.

1962—The Rolling Stones played their first concert ever at the Marquee club in London.

1966—Cat Stevens records his first hit, "I Love My Dog" at Decca Studios in London. The melody of the song was taken from the song "Plum Blossom" by jazz saxophonist Yusef Lateef. Though Lateef sued for copyright infringement, the case was eventually decided in Stevens favor. After converting to Islam, Stevens would voluntarily pay restitution to Lateef out of his own pocket, and even change his name you Yusef in honor of Lateef.

1968—Black Sabbath play their first gig ever at a blues club in Birmingham, England.

1969—Brian Jones is laid to rest in Prestbury, England. All members of the Rolling Stones are in attendance, with the exception of Mick Jagger.

1970—Aretha Franklin
is arrested for disorderly conduct in Detroit. After posting $50 bail, Franklin mowed down a traffic sign out her way out of the police station parking lot.

1972—Harry Nilsson's
Son of Schmilsson is released. It features Geroge Harrios on guitar (billed as George Harrysong) and Ringo Starr (billed as Richie Snare) on drums.

1974—The Grateful Dead receive two gold records, for Workingman's Dead and American Beauty. The records were released within six month of each other and both would go on to make Rolling Stone Magazines top 500 albums (at #258 and #261 respectively)

1975—Cher
would petition Greg Allman for divorce just ten days after their wedding. Though she would change her mind, the marriage would end in divorce in 1979.

1981—Singer/songwriter Harry Chapin is killed when his VW Rabbit is struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. Chapin is best remembered for the top 20 hits "Taxi" and "Cats in the Cradle," which went to #1 in 1974.

2000—The Supremes reunion tour is canceled due to poor ticket sales. The group only featured one original member, Diana Ross. Neither of the other surviving members, Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong, would take place in the "reunion" due to the small amount of money they were offered.

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