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Today in Rock History is a music orientated segment where we would like to encourage readers to share their thoughts and tastes in music and discuss the various aspects of any music topic. This post is not limited to rock music. You are encouraged to bring anything music-related along that you would like to share, either by typing the name of a song and artist into the comments section or by sharing a Youtube, Vimeo, Spotify or SoundCloud link. If you are unsure how to add a link, simply write the name of the song and the composer and someone may very well do it for you.

Music is a huge part of peoples lives even if we aren’t all music enthusiasts. Music is all around us in advertising, background noise in shops and on the streets. It’s inescapable when you have teenagers but for most of us, it is a huge part (if not a ritual) of our lives that we feel close to.

Today in Rock History:

Born today in 1937, songwriter, singer, pianist and guitarist Wanda Jackson.

Born today in 1945, Richard “Ric” Lee drummer with Ten Years After.

Born today in 1950 Tom Petty, singer, songwriter and guitarist with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, solo and The Travelling Wilburys.

Born today in 1951, Al Greenwood keyboardist with Foreigner.

Today in 1960, Roy Orbison went to number one in the UK with “Only The Lonely”.

https://youtu.be/kjq4wYuwgxs?si=KD0MzJk93g1LqVY1

Today in 1962, Bobby "Boris" Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers went to number 1 in the US with “The Monster Mash”.


Today in 1973, The Rolling Stones went to number 1 in the US with "Angie".

Today in 1976, the Led Zeppelin film “The Song Remains The Same” a mixture of live concert footage and fantasy sequences premiered in New York.

Today in 1977, the plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd to their next gig ran out of fuel and crashed. Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and Dean Kilpatrick were killed. Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Billy Powell and Leon Wilkeson were seriously injured, but recovered.

Died today in 1997, Henry Vestine songwriter and guitarist with Canned Heat aged 52. 

Died today in 2015, Cory Wells (Emil Lewandowski) singer with Three Dog Night aged 74. 

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