Today In Rock History...May 24th...

1962

Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the singles chart with 'Good Luck Charm' his 11th No.1 single.

1963

Elmore James US blues guitarist, singer, died of a heart attack aged 45. Wrote 'Shake Your Money Maker', Covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Known as "The King of the Slide Guitar", James influenced Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Keith Richards.

1963

The Beatles recorded the first of their very own BBC radio program, "Pop Go the Beatles". The theme song for the program was a version of "Pop Goes the Weasel". The Beatles' guests for this first show were the Lorne Gibson Trio.

(Lorne Gibson Trio)

1965

John Lennon publishes his second volume of prose, A Spaniard in the Works, in England.

1966

Captain Beefheart appeared at the Whisky a Go Go. West Hollywood, California. Supported by Buffalo Springfield and The Doors.

 

(the whiskey-a-go-go in 1966)

1968

Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull are arrested on charges of marijuana possession. The same day the Stones release "Jumpin' Jack Flash," generally seen as a comeback record following the flop of Their Satanic 

Majesties Request. It goes to No. 3.

1969

 Bob Dylan scored his fourth No.1 album with 'Nashville Skyline'.

1969

The Beatles with Billy Preston started a five week run at No.1 on the singles chart with 'Get Back', the group's 17th No.1.

(The Beatles with Billy Preston in the recording studio, 1969)

1970

 Peter Green played his last gig with Fleetwood Mac when they appeared at the Bath Festival, Somerset, England.

1971

Bob Dylan's 30th birthday is commemorated with a Peanuts cartoon commenting on the event. Dylan himself spends the day visiting the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

1974

American composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington, died of lung cancer and pneumonia aged 75. Worked with Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday. Awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966. In 2009 the United States Mint launched a new coin featuring Duke Ellington on the reverse side of the coin.

1975

Earth Wind and Fire went to No.1 on the singles chart with 'Shining Star', the group's first and only No.1.

1980

Genesis fans turning up at the Roxy Club box office in Los Angeles to buy tickets for a forthcoming gig were surprised to find the band members Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford selling the tickets themselves.

1982

The Clash kicked off a 12-date UK tour at Leeds University.

1991

Founding member of The Byrds Gene Clark died of a heart attack aged 49. He Wrote The Byrds hits 'I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better', and 'Eight Miles High', member of McGuinn, Clark and Hillman and solo.

1999

An online audience watches David Bowie write and record the song "What's Really Happening" in a Webcast. The Webcast implements a 360-degree FullView camera. The song turns up on Bowie's hours... album.

2003 

Paul McCartney has tea with Russian premier Vladimir Putin, then plays a show for 20,000 fans in Moscow's Red Square.

2004

Bruce Springsteen's lawyers shut down an online auction of what reports to be the Boss' birth certificate.

2005

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne put the Beverly Hills house that featured in their reality hit The Osbournes up for sale.

-Yeahbabytunes.com