Les Cook's WAKY Week in Rock History!
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9/5/08
In 1956
Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" broke into pop singles chart.
In 1957
Elvis Presley was in the studio, working on "Treat Me Nice," "Don't, and songs for his upcoming holiday album including "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Santa Claus is Back in Town."
In 1962
Elvis Presley's movie "Kid Gallahad" was number nine for the week at the box office.
In 1960
Bobby Rydell's "Volare" peaked at number four on the pop singles chart.
In 1964
The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
Gerry and the Pacemakers' "How Do You Do It?" peaked at number nine on the pop singles chart.
The Beatles' "And I Love Her" peaked at number 12 on the pop singles chart.
Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Streets," Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman," and Gale Garnett's "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" broke into the Top 40.
Manfred Mann released "Do Wah Diddy Diddy."
In 1965
The Rolling Stones flew to Los Angeles for recording sessions. "Get Off My Cloud" was among the tracks the group worked on.
In 1966
John Lennon flew to West Germany to begin shooting the movie "How I Won The War."
In 1967
Englebert Humperdinck's "The Last Waltz" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.
In 1968
Tiny Tim sued Bouguet Records for a million dollars after the label released some of his early recordings without his permission.
In 1969
James Brown announced his retirement from live shows.
The Stooges played their first gig in New York, opening for the MC5 at The Pavilion.
In 1970
Free's "All Right Now" broke into the Top 40
In 1971
Five John Lennon and Yoko films -- "Cold Turkey," "The Ballad of John and Yoko," "Give Peace A Chance," "Instant Karma," and "Up Your Leg" -- were showcased at the London Art Spectrum.
In 1975
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Hoyt Axton, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Peter Frampton were among the guests on "The Midnight Special."
In 1976
Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington was badly injured in a car accident.
In 1978
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers' Joe Negroni died of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 37.
In 1981
The Tom Petty-Stevie Nicks duet "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" peaked at number three on the pop singles chart, while Foreigner's "Urgent" peaked at number four.
Foreigner's "Urgent" peaked at number four on the pop singles chart.
Bruce Springsteen joined the Pretenders on stage in Pasadena. They performed "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher."
In 1986
Dire Strait's song "Money For Nothing" won the Best Video Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.
In 1990
Blues legend B.B. King received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1992
John Mellencamp and model Elaine Irwin were married. It was Mellencamp's third marriage, Irwin's first.
In 1993
Fifteen fans were injured when the crowd rushed the stage at a Neil Young/Pearl Jam concert in George, Washington.
In 1994
Rod Stewart's wife Rachel Hunter gave birth to a baby boy, Liam McAllister. He was the couple's second child.
Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and John Hiatt were among the headliners at the 24th annual Bumpershoot festival in Seattle, Washington.
In 1995
New video releases included "The Beatles Anthology," featuring ten hours of footage including home movies, live material, and interviews; and The Grateful Dead's "Dead Ahead."
In 1998
Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
In 2001
Don Henley was among those who testified at a California state senate labor law hearing that focused on the "Seven Year Statute," limiting personal service contracts to seven years.
In 2003
Neil Young's movie "Greendale" had its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
In 2006
Aerosmith launched a collaborative tour with Motley Crue in Columbus, Ohio. The trek marked a return to the road for Aerosmith, who had to cancel numerous spring shows because frontman Steven Tyler had ruptured a blood vessel in his voice box. But the band was without bassist Tom Hamilton was forced to sit out the trek while he recovered from treatments for throat cancer. The Joe Perry Project's David Hull filled in.
Victor Willis, the cop in the original Village People, gave a no contest plea to gun and drug charges stemming from an arrest six months earlier, and was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to spend least seven months in rehab.
Paul McCartney was named the "GQ" Man of the Year, while Rod Stewart received the Outstanding Achievement honors at the London event.
9/4/08
In 1954
Elvis Presley made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was the only time he performed at the legendary venue.
In 1958
Jerry Butler and the Impressions made their TV debut, performing on "American Bandstand."
In 1959
Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" was banned by a New York radio station after some local stabbings were blamed on the song.
In 1961
Ral Donner's "You Don't Know What You've Got (Until You Lose It)" peaked at number four on the pop singles chart.
Gary "U.S." Bonds' "School is Out" peaked at number five on the pop singles chart.
In 1962
The Beatles, featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, recorded together for the first time at EMI's St. John Wood Studio. They cut "Love Me Do," "P.S. I Love You," "How Do You Do It," and three other songs.
In 1964
The Honeycombs' "Have I The Right" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.
The Animals made their U.S. concert debut with a show at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. Jan & Dean, The Dixie Cups, Del Shannon, Chuck Berry, Dee Dee Sharp, and Bobby Rydell were also on the bill.
In 1965
While Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey were looking to adopting a guard dog, their van was stolen. Several thousand dollars worth of equipment was in the vehicle.
The Beatles' "Help" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" peaked at number two on the pop singles chart.
James Brown's "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag Part 1" peaked at number eight on the pop singles chart.
The Miracles' "The Tracks of My Tears" peaked at number 16 on the pop singles chart.
Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour" peaked at number 21 on the pop singles chart.
The Dave Clark Five's "Catch Us If You Can" and The McCoys' "Hang On Sloopy" broke into the Top 40.
In 1968
The Bee Gees' "I've Got To Get A Message To You" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.
In 1970
New releases included George Harrison's single "My Sweet Lord" and The Rolling Stones' album "Get Yer Ya-Yas Out."
In 1971
Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
Undisputed Truth's "Smiling Faces Sometimes" peaked at number three on the pop singles chart.
The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" peaked at number 14 on the pop singles chart.
Stevie Wonder's "If You Really Love Me" and Lee Michaels' "Do You Know What I Mean" broke into the Top 40.
In 1976
Fleetwood Mac's self-titled album was the top selling album in the country.
Heart's "Magic Man" and Steve Miller Band's "Rock 'n Me" broke into the Top 40.
Kiss released the single "Beth."
In 1980
A new Yes, featuring Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, and Trevor Horn played a sold-out three night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden.
In 1982
Steve Miler Band's "Abracadabra" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
Survivor's song "Eye Of The Tiger" hit number one on the British pop singles chart.
In 1986
Gregg Allman was arrested for drunk driving. The incident occurred just after the keyboardist got his license back after a five year suspension.
In 1987
Pink Floyd released the album " A Momentary Lapse Of Reason."
In 1990
Rush released the album "Chronicles."
In 1994
Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman became the father to a daughter, Katharine Noelle.
In 1997
Bruce Springsteen joined the Wallflowers on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards for a performance of the Wallflowers' "One Headlight."
In 2003
Aretha Franklin and Aerosmith were among those who took part in the "NFL Kickoff Live 2003" concert at the National Mall in Washington, DC in advance of the first game of the National Football League's 2003-2004 season.
In 2004
Ozzfest organizers cancelled the trek's final show, in West Palm Beach, Florida, over concerns about Hurricane Frances, which was approaching the Florida coast.
In 2007
New CD releases included Patti Scialfa's "Play It As It Lays."
9/3/08
In 1955
Bill Haley and His Comets turned down a tour of Australia paying two-thousand-dollars-a-day because the group was afraid to fly.
Elvis Presley performed as part of the "Big D Jamboree" event in Dallas.
In 1957
Elvis Presley's "Loving You," the soundtrack to his movie, was the number one selling album.
In 1966
John Lennon accepted a part in the movie "How I Won the War."
Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
Lee Dorsey's "Working in a Coal Mine" peaked at number eight on the pop singles chart.
Stevie Wonder's "Blowin' in the Wind" peaked at number nine on the pop singles chart.
The Association's "Cherish" broke into the Top 40.
The Four Tops released the single "Reach Out, I'll Be There."
In 1967
Woody Guthrie died of Huntington's Chorea at the age of 52. Guthrie was Arlo Guthrie's dad and a major influence on many rock and pop artists, including Bob Dylan.
In 1968
The Rolling Stones' song "Street Fighting Man" was banned in Chicago after the Democratic National Convention riots.
In 1969
Elvis Presley was cast in the film "The Trouble with Girls."
In 1970
Arthur Brown was arrested at the Palermo Pop '70 Festival in Italy after he set fire to his helmet and stripped naked during his performance. He was put in solitary confinement for four days, and received a message from members of the community telling him to leave the country.
The Dave Clark Five broke up.
Canned Heat guitarist Al "Blind Owl" Wilson died of a heroin overdose. He was 27.
Bobby Sherman's single "Julie, Do You Love Me" was certified Gold.
In 1971
The Jefferson Airplane's album "Bark" was certified Gold.
In 1973
The Rolling Stones released the single "Angie."
In 1974
Elton John released the single "The Bitch is Back."
In 1977
Elvis Presley's "Way Down" was number one on the UK pop singles chart, while his album "40 Greatest Hits" was number one on the albums chart.
Heart's "Barracuda" peaked at number eleven on the U.S. pop singles chart.
Styx's album "The Grand Illusion" broke into the U.S. albums chart.
In 1982
Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, The Grateful Dead, and Santana were among the artists who performed at the "US Festival" in San Bernardino, California.
In 1983
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's album "Texas Flood" broke into the albums chart.
In 1992
The Los Angeles coroner announced that Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, who had passed away a month earlier, died from heart disease brought on by long-term cocaine use, not pesticide poisoning, which was what his manager had initially reported.
David Bowie became the first person in four years to be featured on the cover of "Architectural Digest."
In 1994
John Mellencamp and Me'Shell NdegeOcello's cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night" peaked at number three on the pop singles chart.
Crosby, Stills, and Nash released the album "After The Storm."
In 2002
The Rolling Stones began their "Licks" tour with a show in Boston.
In 2003
Ozzy Osbourne postponed his UK tour as he recovered from foot surgery. He'd injured his foot during the Ozzfest tour.
One of the late George Harrison's guitars was put on display at the Fender Museum in Corona, California. Ten days later the instrument was sold at an auction.
In 2006
Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Parliament-Funkadelic's George Clinton were among the performers at the 41st annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
9/2/08
In 1965
The Beatles released the single "Yesterday," and the band's single "Help" was certified Gold.
The Rolling Stones appeared on the British TV show "Ready Steady Go!"
In 1966
The Supremes began a tour of the Far East.
In 1967
Peter, Paul, and Mary's "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" and Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher" broke into the Top 40.
In 1970
Phil Collins answered an ad in the paper placed by Genesis looking for a new drummer.
In 1971
The Grateful Dead finally tracked down former manager Lenny Hart, who had embezzled 70-thousand-dollars from the group, leaving the band broke.
Members of the Rolling Stones filed a lawsuit against former managers Andrew Loog Oldham and Eric Easton over royalties stemming from the group's first record deal.
In 1972
Rod Stewart's "You Wear It Well" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
The Hollies' "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" peaked at number two on the pop singles chart.
Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" peaked at number eight on the pop singles chart.
The Main Ingredient's "Everybody Plays the Fool" broke into the Top 40.
In 1975
Syracuse, New York's Great American Music Fair, featuring performances from Jefferson Starship and the Doobie Brothers, ended in a melee when 500 fans crashed the gate. Sixty arrests were made.
In 1978
George Harrison married Olivia Trinidad Arias, who was working as a secretary at his Dark Horse record label.
Boston's album "Don't Look Back" broke into the albums chart.
In 1979
Bill Wyman, Ringo Starr, Dave Mason, Todd Rundgren, and Kiki Dee played a set together on Jerry Lewis' Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.
In 1982
Keith Richards' home in Surrey, England, was badly damaged by fire.
In 1988
Amnesty International's "Human Rights Now" tour, including Bruce Springsteen and Peter Gabriel, kicked off at Wembley Stadium in London.
In 1993
Neil Young performed "Rockin' in the Free World" with Pearl Jam at the "MTV Video Music Awards."
In 1995
Chuck Berry and Bruce Springsteen were among the rockers performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opening concert in Cleveland.
In 1997
Linda McCartney had a photographic exhibition at the Museum of the City of San Francisco.
In 1998
The Temptations put their dance steps in cement at the Motown Cafe in New York.
In 2003
The three-disc "Sesame Street" album set "Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music," featuring a variety of artists including, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Stevie Wonder, was released.
In 2005
Aaron Neville and Harry Connick Jr. were among the participants in the NBC fundraiser "A Concert for Hurricane Relief" in response to Hurricane Katrina.
Journey returned to the road with the first of two shows in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was the band's first performance following keyboardist Jonathan Cain's appendectomy several days earlier, and consequently the group only played for about 90 minutes instead of playing its more typical three-hour sets.
In 2007
Moby Grape, Country Joe McDonald, Canned Heat, The Chambers Brothers' Lester Chambers, and The Youngblood's Jesse Colin Young were among the performers at San Francisco's Summer of Love 40th anniversary concert.
Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Tony Orlando, the Commodores, and Maureen McGovern were among the numerous entertainers who took part in the 42nd annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
