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  • This Day in Rock History: February 26

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    In 1965, Feb. 26 was the day sales of 45 rpm singles outperformed sales of 78 rpm record version for the first time. The smaller 45s were introduced in 1949, and the interest continued to grow. Did the growing popularity of rock music have anything to do with this change in preference? We’d like to think so. Let’s discover more rock history trivia from Feb. 26 that has left its impact on the industry.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Several rock bands had breakthrough hits and milestones on Feb. 26, and these are a couple you might find interesting:

    • 1983: Michael Jackson’s Thriller album made it to No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart, mainly due to the success of the “Billie Jean” single. It spawned seven singles in total and spent an astonishing 37 non-consecutive weeks at the top spot.
    • 1966: “These Boots Are Made for Walkin‘” by Nancy Sinatra climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Since its release, the song has been covered by several bands and featured in many movies.
    • 1977: From their fifth studio album, Hotel California, the Eagles hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with “New Kid in Town.” This was the band’s third No. 1 hit in the U.S.

    Cultural Milestones

    Over the years, these cultural milestones that happened on Feb. 26 have influenced rock music:

    • 1928: Rock and roll pioneer Fats Domino was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His debut single, “The Fat Man,” is widely considered to be the first-ever rock and roll single to sell over a million copies.
    • 1932: Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas. He grew up listening to gospel music, and he started a stellar career in the mid-1950s, after serving in the Air Force for four years.
    • 1980: After watching U2 perform at Dublin’s National Boxing Stadium on Feb. 26, Rob Partridge and Bill Stewart from Island Records decided to offer the Irish rock band a contract. The group signed the contract within a month, released their first single by May, and debuted their first album in October.
    • 1987: For the first time, The Beatles released albums on CD. Four of their albums came out on Feb. 26 — Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, and Beatles for Sale — but the albums were only released in mono.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Your favorite music genre had these notable recordings and performances on Feb. 26:

    • 1965: Jimmy Page released his debut solo single, “She Just Satisfies” b/w “Keep Moving,” in the UK via Fontana Records. He sang on the track, played all instruments except drums, and was also its producer.
    • 1979: The Sex Pistols released their album The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle. It would later become the soundtrack to a movie of the same name about the band.
    • 1995: To promote their reunion album No Quarter, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin launched their world tour, playing the first show of the tour in Pensacola, Florida.

    Industry Changes and Challenges

    It took these rock industry changes and challenges occurring on Feb. 26 to get this popular genre to where it is today:

    • 1991: The nonfiction interview show Rockline premiered on MTV. The 30-minute show included interviews with a wide range of musicians and rock stars.
    • 1998: Just hours after Tommy Lee of Motley Crue was arrested on domestic abuse charges, his wife Pamela Anderson filed for divorce for the second time. She cited the reason for the divorce as having irreconcilable differences with Lee.

    As the rock music landscape continues to evolve, you can be sure that the past events of Feb. 26 played a part in shaping the genre’s future. Without the breakthrough hits, milestones, cultural changes, notable recordings, and challenges that occurred on this day in rock history, we wouldn’t know rock music as it is today.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening Announces 2026 North American Tour: 20 Shows Across Key Regions

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    Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening will perform 20 concerts throughout North America beginning in May. The spring tour starts May 8 at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Alabama. It ends June 7 at the Hershey Theatre in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

    The band will visit theaters, auditoriums, soundstages, resorts, and wineries. Shows are scheduled in Alabama, Tennessee, Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia.

    Jason Bonham’s father was John Bonham, the late drummer for Led Zeppelin. The tribute act includes vocalist James Dylan. Dorian Heartsong plays bass. Akio “Mr. Jimmy” Sakurai handles guitar work, and Alex Howland plays keyboards.

    “‘And…..if you…..feel…..’ that you can’t get enough of the bliss and light that the legacy of Led Zeppelin brings to all of our hearts, minds and souls, then look no further,” Ghost Cult Mag wrote in a review of a November 2025 concert.

    The tour opens with an appearance at the Welcome To Rockville Festival in Daytona Beach, Florida. This four-day event runs May 7-10 at the Daytona International Speedway. Guns N’ Roses will headline. So will Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Five Finger Death Punch, and Tom Morello.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: February 16

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    Feb. 16 is a special day in rock history. It’s when Bob Dylan got his first No. 1 on the albums chart, Led Zeppelin first played down under, and the Beatles returned to the place where US Beatlemania started; The Ed Sullivan Show. These are some of the most important moments that happened on this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Some of the most noteworthy breakthrough moments and milestones of the day include:

    • 1974: Bob Dylan got his first-ever No. 1 album in the US when Planet Waves, his fourteenth studio album, made it to the top of the Billboard 200. The album was a success with the critics and a moderate hit from a commercial standpoint, achieving Gold status in the US.
    • 1985: Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. got to No. 1 on the UK albums chart, his first-ever UK chart-topper. The album was Springsteen’s seventh studio work and was a phenomenal global success, selling over 30 million copies worldwide.
    • 2005: 3 Doors Down reached the top spot on the US Billboard 200 album chart with their third studio album, Seventeen Days. It went Platinum in the States, selling over a million copies.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Record-breaking feats and being No.1 in the charts are great, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the recordings and performances. These are the most memorable concerts and releases of the day:

    • 1964: The Beatles were invited to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show for a second time, after their era-defining first visit. They played at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, in front of 3,500 people, and performed some of their most popular hits at the time, including  “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
    • 1972: Led Zeppelin launched their first-ever Australian tour with a show at the Subiaco Oval in Perth. It was a chaotic start to the tour, as the police had to fight off over 500 fans who rushed the gates despite not having tickets.
    • 1993: The Faces had an impromptu reunion at the Brit Awards, where Rod Stewart was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award. Ex-Rolling Stones member Bill Wyman replaced Ronnie Lane in the band, who was fighting health issues.

    From the Beatles cementing their legendary status in North America to The Faces reuniting for a one-off performance, these are the most consequential events that happened in the rock world on Feb. 16. Tune in tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: January 31

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    From breakthrough hits, unbelievable milestones, and cultural changes to killer recordings and performances, this day in rock history has had its share of momentous happenings. Led Zeppelin would perform for the first time in North America, and Blondie topped the Billboard 100 singles chart for the third time. Check out these other cool facts about what happened on Jan. 31 in rock music history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Have you heard any of these breakthrough hits or rock music milestones that occurred on Jan. 31:

    • 1970: The Jackson 5’s debut single, “I Want You Back,” got to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This began a streak of four consecutive chart-toppers for the band.
    • 1976: After spending nine weeks at the No. 1 spot on the U.K. singles chart, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was knocked back by ABBA’s “Mama Mia.” Interestingly, both songs use “Mama Mia” in the lyrics.
    • 1981: Making it to No.1 for the third time, Blondie topped the Billboard 100 singles chart with their song “The Tide is High.” The hit had a reggae style that blended sounds from horns and strings.
    • 1984: Queen’s iconic song “Radio Ga Ga” entered the UK charts at No. 4. Although the song reached No. 1 in 19 other countries, it only peaked at No. 2 in the UK singles charts.
    • 1987: Paul Simon’s Graceland album returned to No. 1 on the UK albums chart after initially reaching the top spot in late 1986. The album was a huge global success, eventually selling over 14 million copies worldwide.

    Cultural Milestones

    The culture of rock music was forever affected when these Jan. 31 events happened:

    • 1956: Sex Pistols’ frontman Johnny Rotten was born in Finsbury Park, London, England. He fronted the band since their inception in 1975 until 1978, and on various reunions since.
    • 1970: Blues pioneer Slim Harpo died at the age of only 45. Although he was never a full-time musician, he’s seen as one of the best swamp blues players ever and inspired many other artists, including the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, and Van Morrison.
    • 2001: During their farewell tour, founding member Peter Criss announced he would leave KISS. Eric Singer replaced him for the remaining tour dates.
    • 2010: Bruce Springsteen walked away from the GRAMMYs with the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance award for his song “Working on a Dream.” Kings of Leon got a Grammy for Best Rock Song for their hit “Use Somebody.”

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    From its beginnings, rock music has seen many notable recordings and performances, and here are a few from Jan. 31 you may or may not remember:

    • 1969: Playing at the Fillmore East in New York City, Led Zeppelin performed their first show on their North American Tour. They put on a show so powerful that the headlining band, Iron Butterfly, refused to follow them.
    • 1969: While Led Zeppelin was rocking it in North America, the Beatles were performing at Apple Studios in London. They were filming the Let It Be documentary and needed to capture the songs “Two Of Us,” “Let It Be,” “The Long And Winding Road,” and “Step Inside Love.”

    Industry Changes and Challenges

    Rock music wouldn’t be what it is today without these industry changes and challenges of the past Jan. 31st:

    • 1979: Saxophone player for Blood Sweat & Tears, Greg Herbert, died of an accidental drug overdose. He was a mere 30 years old at the time.
    • 2007: The spirit of Jim Morrison came back to fight in the Global Cool campaign 35 years after he died. A previously unreleased poem that The Doors singer wrote and recorded, titled “Woman in the Window,” was put to music and used to raise awareness about the event.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: January 3

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    Today’s rundown of the most important rock-related events throughout history features The Beatles right, left, and center. It was also a big day for Aretha Franklin and Led Zeppelin’s most underrated member. Keep reading to discover all the major events that happened on Jan. 3 in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Today’s milestones and breakthrough hits category is all about The Beatles:

    • 1963: The Beatles started their first tour of the year, a five-day trek through Scotland to support the release of their latest single at the time, “Love Me Do.” They were billed as the “Love Me Do” Boys, and the shows were a major milestone in the band’s history, as they exploded in popularity in Scotland before the global rise of Beatlemania.
    • 1964: A year later, The Beatles hit another milestone with their first-ever appearance on a U.S. TV show. It was “The Jack Paar Program,” and it featured a BBC clip from “The Mersey Sound” showing the band play “She Loves You.”
    • 1970: Fast-forward six years, and The Beatles scored another important moment in history as they recorded the song “I Me Mine,” their final new song recording. It happened at Abbey Road Studios and only included George, who wrote the song, Paul, and Ringo, as John was on vacation at the time.

    Cultural Milestones

    Jan. 3 is also a big day for rock culture. These are the most important events we celebrate today:

    • 1926: Legendary producer George Martin, the man behind The Beatles’ unique sound, was born in Coleshill, Oxfordshire, England. He’s often referred to as “the fifth Beatle,” and he’s responsible for 31 No. 1 singles in the U.K. and 23 in the U.S.
    • 1946: Led Zeppelin bass player and keyboardist John Paul Jones was born in Sidcup, Kent, England. He formed the band alongside Jimmy Page in the late 1960s, and he’s widely considered to be one of the best and most influential bassists of all time.
    • 1987: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was inducted by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, and her brother Cecil accepted the induction on her behalf.

    From a young band from Liverpool struggling to gain traction to the Queen of Soul getting her accolades, Jan. 3 was a pretty busy day for music fans. Visit this page again tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: December 26

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    Lots of interesting things happened in the world of rock on Dec. 26. It’s when Led Zeppelin began their quest to conquer America, George Harrison proved there’s life beyond The Beatles, and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich was born. Keep reading to discover more notable events that happened on this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Some of the milestone moments that happened on the second day of Christmas include:

    • 1970: George Harrison’s song “My Sweet Lord” from his All Things Must Pass solo album made it to the No. 1 spot of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, starting a four-week run. It also went to No. 1 in several other countries, including his native U.K. It’s a milestone moment for music in general, as it represents the first solo No. 1 for an ex-Beatle.
    • 1981: AC/DC’s eighth studio album and second with frontman Brian Johnson, For Those About to Rock (We Salute You), reached the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart, where it spent three weeks. It was their first-ever No. 1 album in the U.S. and the only one until 2008’s Black Ice.

    Cultural Milestones

    Some of the day’s most relevant cultural moments are:

    • 1939: Producer and songwriter Phil Spector was born in New York City. He produced many legendary albums, including The Beatles’ Let It Be, and created the famous Wall of Sound recording style, which involved layering multiple instrumental and vocal tracks in a way that created a dense sound.
    • 1963: Metallica co-founder and drummer Lars Ulrich was born in Gentofte, Denmark. The son of a tennis player, he was supposed to follow in his father’s footsteps until attending a 1973 Deep Purple concert made him want to be a musician.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Dec. 26 has also had its share of electrifying live performances over the years. A couple of them are:

    • 1968: Led Zeppelin played their first-ever concert on U.S. soil as part of their first North American tour. The first stop on the tour was Denver’s Auditorium Arena, where they opened for Vanilla Fudge.
    • 1979: The first performance in a series of benefit shows called Concerts for the People of Kampuchea was held at London’s Hammersmith Odeon to raise funds for Cambodia’s famine victims. The organizers were Paul McCartney and UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, and performers included Queen, The Pretenders, Wings, The Clash, and The Who.

    These are some of the most exciting rock-related events that happened on Dec. 26. Visit us again tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Top 10 Classic Rock Time Songs

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    Classic rock is filled with songs that wrestle with the idea of time, whether it’s slipping away, pushing forward, or reminding us of memories we can’t shake. Pink Floyd’s “Time’ is one of the most iconic examples of a classic rock time song, a brooding reflection on wasted years and the shock of realizing how fast life moves.

    “Too Much Time on My Hands” from Styx captures the restless energy of someone desperate for direction. Grand Fund Railroad’s “Bad Time” demonstrates how timing is everything. Meanwhile Boston’s “Foreplay/Long Time” blends incredible vocals with themes of change and personal growth. Each track uses the idea of time to tap into something universal, proving that even as decades pass, classic rock’s themes still feel… timely.

    Top 10 Classic Rock Time Songs

    1 – “Feels Like The First Time” – Foreigner

    “I have waited a lifetime… Spent my time so foolishly” Mick Jones wrote this song at a turning point in his own life. He was coming out of a divorce and had just come to America as Foreigner formed. This song was their first release.

    2 – “Where Have All The Good Times Gone” – Van Halen

    That is the question! Van Halen covered two Kinks songs during their career. This one and “You Really Got Me.” David Lee Roth had a Kinks compilation album. Ray Davies wrote the song, inspired by his dad and older relatives talking about how great life was before the war. Davies said of the song, “It’s got that hard edge The Kinks had, but at the same time, it’s got a reflective, poignant lyric.”

    3 – “Good Times, Bad Times” – Led Zeppelin

    “Good times, bad times, you know I’ve had my share” Making up and breaking up… Led Zeppelin telling the age-old story of coming of age.

    4 – “Nothin’ But a Good Time” – Poison

    “Ain’t lookin’ for nothin’ but a good time… And it don’t get better than this.” Bret Michaels sings about not having much money but still being able to enjoy life and have “good time.” Rikki Rockett talked about the song in an interview with AXS. He said, “It’s for the working class and the wish that you can have a good time among all that. Music is the way to escape.”

    5 – “Old Time Rock & Roll” – Bob Seger

    “In ten minutes I’ll be late for the door, I like that old time rock and roll!” It’s the song that Bob has referred to as the “Dumbest thing I ever did.”

    6 – “Too Much Time On My Hands” – Styx

    “Too much time on my hands, it’s ticking away with my sanity.” Tommy Shaw wrote this song on the fly. He was asked to write one more song for Paradise Theater, but he couldn’t think of anything to stay on theme. Instead he wrote “Too Much Time on My Hands” about a bar in Niles, Michigan where he was living at the time.

    7 – Bad Time – Grand Funk Railroad

    “I’m in love but I sure picked a bad time… to be in love” Grand Funk Railroad” doesn’t have many ballads, but this is one of their more sentimental songs. Mark Farner had a rough patch with his first few, Cheryl. He said in a Songfacts intyerview, “My first wife was in the kitchen. I can remember sitting at the piano – I had a little spinet in the dining room – and she’s threatening to put a 12-inch cast-iron skillet through my forehead. And I’m in there writing ‘bad time for being in love.’”

    8 – “Foreplay/Longtime” – Boston

    “Well, I’m takin’ my time, I’m just movin’ on.. You’ll forget about me after I’ve been gone..” This was the first song Tom Scholz recorded for the band that would become Boston. Radio always plays these two tracks together. Confession I’m one of those people who didn’t know the UFOs were upside guitars until well into the 2000s.

    9 – “Time” – Pink Floyd

    “Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day, Fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way.” The age-old conundrum. Many of us don’t realize that we’re in the prime of our life until it has passed us by. The song starts with clock sounds that were put together by Pink Floyd’s engineer, Alan Parsons. Alan recorded the clocks in an antique shop, transferred them to multitrack and synchronized their ticks and chimes.

    10 – “Good Times Roll” – The Cars

    “Let the good times roll. Let them knock you around.” Ric Ocasek took satirical jab at the “good times” in rock music on this one. According lpm.org Ocasek said, “That was my song about what the good times in rock ‘n’ roll really mean, instead of what they’re supposed to be. It was kind of a parody of good times, really. It was kinda like not about good times at all.”

    Honorable Mention Songs About Time/Reflecting

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    Donielle Flynn

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  • This Day in Rock History: November 26

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    Nov. 26 has been an eventful day in rock history, when legendary names such as The Beatles, Cream, and Led Zeppelin achieved major milestones. Keep reading to discover all the noteworthy rock music events that happened on this day.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    On Nov. 26, a new punk rock anthem was released, and heavy metal fully broke into the mainstream. These are the main milestones and breakthrough moments from this day:

    • 1976: The Sex Pistols dropped their debut single, “Anarchy in the U.K.,” through Electric and Musical Industries Records. This release was seen as a pivotal moment in punk rock history. The song was later included on the band’s sole album, Never Mind the B******s, Here’s the Sex Pistols.
    • 1983: Quiet Riot’s third studio album, Metal Health, climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and replaced The Police’s Synchronicity. This was the first-ever heavy metal album to top the charts, and it paved the way for many other metal acts.

    Cultural Milestones

    Two iconic figures in rock history share a birthday on Nov. 26:

    • 1939: Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tina Turner was born in Brownsville, Tennessee. She became famous in the 1960s as part of the duo Ike and Tina Turner and had a successful solo career that earned her 12 GRAMMY Awards and many other accolades.
    • 1945: British bass guitarist John McVie was born in Ealing, Middlesex, England. He began his music career as a member of John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers and then joined Fleetwood Mac in 1967.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Some memorable performances and recordings took place on Nov. 26, such as:

    • 1962: The Beatles recorded the songs “Please Please Me” and “Ask Me Why” at London’s EMI Recording Studios, now called Abbey Road Studios. The resulting single, with “Please Please Me” on the A-side and “Ask Me Why” on the B-side, reached No. 1 on the New Musical Express singles chart, giving the band a taste of chart-topping success.
    • 1968: Cream played their final concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It was the last show of their farewell tour, which included 22 stops across the U.S. and two final shows in London.
    • 1982: Led Zeppelin released their ninth and final studio album, Coda, which is also their first compilation album. It includes eight tracks from various recording sessions throughout the band’s 12-year history and was praised by critics and the general public. The album has been certified Platinum in the U.S.

    From the birth of punk rock to Led Zeppelin’s final release, these are the most important rock music events associated with Nov. 26. Visit this website tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Full interview: Robert Plant

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    Rock and roll legend Robert Plant, the former frontman for Led Zeppelin, sits down with Robert Costa to talk about his latest album, “Saving Grace.”

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  • Former Led Zepplin frontman Robert Plant reinterprets traditional folk in his latest album

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    Rock and roll legend Robert Plant, the former frontman for Led Zepplin, is reinterpreting traditional folk music in his latest album, “Saving Grace.” Plant is touring the U.S. with his band to support the album and caught up with “CBS Saturday Morning” ahead of recent performance.

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  • This Day in Rock History: November 8

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    On this day in rock history, Led Zeppelin released their most successful album, David Bowie made his TV debut in the U.S., and a couple of legends were born. Here are the most relevant rock music events that took place on Nov. 8.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Nov. 8 is a day to remember for two of the biggest names in music, David Bowie and Metallica. These are the milestones they achieved on this day:

    • 1975: David Bowie made his first U.S. TV appearance on The Cher Show. He performed his hit song “Fame,” sang a few songs alongside his host, Cher, and concluded with a medley of covers.
    • 1986: Metallica performed their first show with new bass player, Jason Newsted, at the Country Club in Reseda, California. The band lost their original bassist, Cliff Burton, six weeks earlier, after a tragic bus crash.

    Cultural Milestones

    The rock music world celebrates a couple of famous birthdays on Nov. 8:

    • 1946: English musician Roy Wood was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was a member of several bands, including Electric Light Orchestra, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
    • 1949: Blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter Bonnie Raitt was born in Burbank, California. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and has won 13 GRAMMY Awards throughout her career.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Two iconic rock bands, Led Zeppelin and Queen, released unforgettable albums on this day:

    • 1971: Led Zeppelin released Led Zeppelin IV through Atlantic Records. It’s their most popular album, having sold over 37 million copies worldwide, and it includes arguably their most famous song, “Stairway to Heaven.”
    • 1974: Queen released their third studio album, Sheer Heart Attack, via EMI Records in the U.K. and Elektra Records in the U.S. It includes “Killer Queen,” which was the band’s first hit song outside the U.K.

    From promising debuts to notable album releases, Nov. 8 has been an eventful day for rock music fans. Come back tomorrow to discover the major events that happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: October 25

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    On this day in rock history, The Rolling Stones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, and Led Zeppelin performed for the first time under their legendary name. These are just some of the major rock-related events that happened on Oct. 25 over the years.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Two of the biggest names in rock celebrated major career milestones on this day:

    • 1964: The Rolling Stones made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show shortly after arriving in New York City to start their second North American tour. They performed “Around And Around” and “Time Is On My Side,” taking a major step toward establishing themselves in the United States.
    • 1968: Led Zeppelin performed for the first time under this name at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England. This concert followed their Scandinavian tour the previous month, where they played as “The New Yardbirds.” The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon, is said to have inspired the name Led Zeppelin, reportedly commenting that the group would go down like a lead balloon.

    Cultural Milestones

    While the music is obviously the main attraction, rock’s stories and characters are almost as interesting. Significant rock events on Oct. 25 included:

    • 1944: Yes co-founder, singer, and songwriter, Jon Anderson, was born in Accrington, Lancashire, England. He formed the band in 1968 and created a unique style that blended multiple genres, including rock, blues, pop, and jazz.
    • 1947: Glenn Tipton, lead guitarist for Judas Priest, was born in Blackheath, England. He joined the band in 1974 and is the second-longest serving member after bass player Ian Hill.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Oct. 25 witnessed some electric performances throughout the years, as well as the founding of one of the biggest and most influential heavy metal festivals in history:

    • 1996: The inaugural Ozzfest took place at the Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. The event, founded by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, was a success and launched the annual festival, which ran almost every year until 2018.
    • 2009: U2 played in front of 97,014 people at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, as part of the band’s U2 360 Tour, which set a record for a US performance attendance for a single headline act. The show was live-streamed over the internet and was later released via Blu-ray and DVD.

    From The Stones introducing themselves to the American public to Ozzy and his wife Sharon creating one of the biggest metal festivals ever, plenty of things happened on Oct. 25 in the rock world. Visit us again to discover more important events in rock music history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Robert Plant Drops New Album After Six-Year Journey

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    The voice behind Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, released Saving Grace this September. His first work in six years marks an unexpected return to the studio. Starting on December 8, he’ll play ten shows across the UK.

    “This day was never going to come because, originally, it wasn’t going to come,” Plant said in an interview with Rockonteurs at his home, according to Far Out Magazine. “No more records, that’s it!”

    Work on the album started in 2019, stretching through lockdowns and isolation. Plant described the studio work as precise and calculated, shifting his view on recording.

    Plant added, “I never thought this was ever as a starter in my being. I just didn’t want to make … It wasn’t the end, it’s just like, that’s enough. “I liked the idea of just willy-nilly playing, and I could play anywhere.”

    The tracks breathe new life into music that shaped Plant’s past. “You know, there are a myriad of songs that we know very well now as part of contemporary popular music canons that returned to 50 or 60 years ago,” he said, according to VOI. “If you think about ‘House of the Rising Sun,’ when The Animals come from Newcastle, enter Mickie’s studio, and do it, they don’t even listen to the playback. They go straight to Brighton to play, or something like that.” 

    His winter tour starts in Portsmouth. The shows go through London’s Royal Festival Hall, then to Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Middlesbrough, and Newcastle. York hosts the final show on Dec. 23. You can find all of his upcoming stops and get tickets on his official website.

    Critics at Far Out Magazine awarded Saving Grace four stars, saying that his approach was similar to Neil Young’s. This marks Plant’s first album since choosing smaller venues over studio time.

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    Laura Adkins

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  • This Day in Rock History: October 20

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    Oct. 20 is marked by tragedy, as we commemorate the plane crash that altered Lynyrd Skynyrd’s trajectory. It’s also a day when we celebrate beginnings, such as Tom Petty being born and U2 releasing their debut album. Keep reading to learn more about these events and other notable ones that happened on this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Many legendary bands and artists celebrate major career milestones on Oct. 20. Some of them include the following:

    • 1960: Roy Orbison scored his first No. 1 on the U.K. singles charts with “Only the Lonely.” It was his first major hit, despite being previously turned down by Elvis and the Everly Brothers. The song also reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts.
    • 1973: The Rolling Stones climbed to the top spot of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with “Angie,” the lead single from their album Goats Head Soup. It was their seventh U.S. No. 1 and also topped the charts in several other countries, including Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and France.
    • 1978: The Police made their debut on U.S. soil with a show at New York City’s CBGB. They were relatively unknown at the time and had to fly from England on a budget airline, using their carry-on luggage space for their instruments.
    • 1980: U2 released their debut album, Boy, via Island Records. It was recorded at the Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland, and peaked at No. 63 on the U.S. charts.

    Cultural Milestones

    Some important rock culture moments happened on Oct. 20, but sadly, not all of them were positive. Some notable milestones include the following:

    • 1950: Tom Petty was born in Gainesville, Florida. He sold over 80 million records throughout his career and was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 along with his band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
    • 1976: Led Zeppelin’s film, The Song Remains the Same, premiered at Cinema I in New York City. It had been filmed three years earlier and followed the band during their three-night series of performances at Madison Square Garden.
    • 1977: A plane that was carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd’s members crashed near Gillsburg, Mississippi, after running out of fuel. The accident killed lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, who was also Steve’s sister.

    Oct. 20 was a day of promising debuts and sad endings. Check back tomorrow to discover more important events in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: October 10

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    On this day in rock history, the world said a tragically early goodbye to one of the most talented and innovative drummers of all time. It’s also David Lee Roth’s birthday, as well as the anniversary of an album release that introduced fans to progressive rock. These are the most era-defining moments in rock that happened on Oct. 10.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Rock music took two huge steps forward, just one year apart from each other, with these two landmark albums:

    • 1969: King Crimson released In the Court of the Crimson King via Island Records. The record was an important milestone for rock music, as it’s widely regarded as the first authentic progressive rock album, blending traditional rock sounds with a wide variety of other genres, such as jazz and symphonic music.
    • 1970: Paranoid, Black Sabbath’s second studio album, reached the top spot on the UK albums chart. It’s considered one of the best and most influential heavy metal albums of all time, powered by songs such as “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and title track “Paranoid.”

    Cultural Milestones

    Rock’s characters and their stories are part of its enduring appeal. These are the most important cultural moments that happened in rock on Oct. 10:

    • 1954: Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth was born in Bloomington, Indiana. After fronting the band from 1974 until 1985, he went on to have a successful solo career before rejoining his bandmates in 2006.
    • 1959: Following an argument, Ken Brown left The Quarrymen, which now consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. The remaining trio did pretty well for themselves, though, with the band they formed the following year, called The Beatles.
    • 1980: The funeral for Led Zeppelin drummer John “Bonzo” Bonham took place in Worcestershire, England. Alongside Bonham’s three bandmates, other notable attendees included Moody Blues and Wings guitarist Denny Laine and Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood.

    Oct. 10 is a day to celebrate genre-defining albums and legendary rock superstars. Come back tomorrow to discover what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: October 5

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    Oct. 5 is a day of iconic firsts in rock music history. It’s when The Beatles released their first-ever single, AC/DC played their first show with Bon Scott, and a bunch of legendary albums were released. Read about all that and more on today’s recap of major events in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Huge bands, such as The Who and AC/DC, have milestones to celebrate on this day. These are:

    • 1974: AC/DC played their first concert with new lead singer Bon Scott at the Masonic Hall in Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia. Scott replaced Dave Evans, who was their initial singer, and the show marked the beginning of the band’s classic era, which lasted until Scott’s untimely death in 1980.
    • 1999: Roger Daltrey announced that The Who were reuniting for a Las Vegas show on Oct. 29, after breaking up 16 years earlier. It was a major milestone in the band’s career, as it led them to reunite and release new material, even after the passing of John Entwistle, who was their bassist, in 2002.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Few calendar dates have seen so many major album and single releases as Oct. 5. These are some of them:

    • 1962: The Beatles released their first-ever recording together, the “Love Me Do” single. It initially reached No. 17 on the U.K. charts, which was impressive given that the band from Liverpool was relatively unknown at the time.
    • 1970: Led Zeppelin released their third studio album, Led Zeppelin III, in the United States via Atlantic Records. It signaled a slight shift toward a more folksy acoustic sound, without neglecting the band’s blues-based roots.
    • 1973: Elton John released his seventh studio album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, on DJM Records. It was recorded at the Château d’Hérouville in France and included several hit singles, including “Bennie and the Jets,” “Candle in the Wind,” and the title track.
    • 1979: The Police released their second studio album, Reggatta de Blanc, via A&M Records. It included songs such as “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon,” and it popularized the band’s unique fusion of rock, reggae, pop, and new wave.

    Oct. 5 is an important day for legends such as The Beatles, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin, along with their legions of fans. Check out this page tomorrow to discover what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: October 4

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    Oct. 4 is overshadowed by the death of one of rock’s greatest voices, Janis Joplin. However, many other notable events took place on this day in rock history. These are some of the most important.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Several iconic acts, such as Queen and The Beatles, had important career milestones on this day. These are some of the most significant breakthroughs and pivotal moments in rock that happened on Oct. 4:

    • 1969: The Beatles’ eleventh and final studio album, Abbey Road, reached the top spot of the U.K. singles chart, where it spent an unprecedented 17 weeks in total. It returned to the top spot half a century later, in 2019, with its 50th-anniversary expanded edition, marking the longest gap between No. 1 album runs.
    • 1969: On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Creedence Clearwater Revival reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart with their third studio album Green River. It was their first U.S. No. 1 album and stayed there for four weeks.
    • 1980: Queen started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with their hit song “Another One Bites the Dust.” Written by bass player John Deacon, it became the band’s most successful single ever.

    Cultural Milestones

    Oct. 4 marks Janis Joplin’s lost battle with addiction but also celebrates the beginnings of one of rock’s most legendary acts. These are the most relevant rock culture moments of the day:

    • 1968: Led Zeppelin, then called The New Yardbirds and featuring Jimmy Page, played their first concert in the U.K. at the Mayfair Ballroom in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It followed their Scandinavian tour and would prove to be a pivotal moment in rock history, including future legendary songs such as “Dazed and Confused,” “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” “Communication Breakdown,” and “How Many More Times.”
    • 1970: Janis Joplin died of an alleged heroin overdose at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood, California. She had been working on her Pearl album, which was released posthumously and spent nine weeks at the top spot of the Billboard 200 chart.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Some memorable live performances and album releases took place on Oct. 4. These are some of them:

    • 1982: The Smiths played their first-ever show at The Ritz in Manchester, England. They opened for a band called Blue Rondo à la Turk as part of a student music and fashion show called An Evening of Pure Pleasure.
    • 1999: Paul McCartney released his eleventh solo studio album, Run Devil Run, via Parlophone Records. It mostly consisted of 1950s rock and roll song covers, alongside three McCartney original compositions.

    Despite the tragedy that happened on this day 55 years ago, Oct. 4 still offered rock fans and performers plenty of reasons to celebrate throughout the years. Come back tomorrow to discover the most era-defining moments that happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti Anniversary Set Lands at No. 6 on Billboard Vinyl Chart

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    The new Led Zeppelin Live EP shot to No. 6 on Billboard’s Vinyl Albums chart while claiming the No. 9 spot on Top Album Sales. With 9,500 units moved, this marks their first top 10 record in a decade, according to Forbes.

    Released to mark Physical Graffiti‘s golden anniversary, the four-track EP captures raw power from two historic performances. Fans can hear thundering versions of “In My Time of Dying” and “Trampled Underfoot” from Earls Court in 1975, plus blistering takes of “Sick Again” and “Kashmir” recorded at Knebworth in 1979.

    Swan Song Records dropped a three-LP special edition of Physical Graffiti with the EP. This expanded package serves up the classic double album with crisp new sound, plus a bonus record stuffed with early versions and alternate takes.

    The EP made its mark across five Billboard lists. Past the top 10 showings, it struck No. 12 on Top Hard Rock Albums, hit No. 38 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums, and cracked the Billboard 200 at No. 150.

    “From time to time, the group manages to appear on a lucky few tallies with older collections, but thanks to a major anniversary, the pioneering rock troupe debuts its new Live EP on multiple tallies,” said Hugh McIntyre through Forbes.

    The band’s Billboard success spans generations. They’ve scored eleven top 10s on the Vinyl Albums chart, with four reaching No. 1. Physical Graffiti, Led Zeppelin IV, their first album, and Celebration Day stand at the peak.

    Fans can snag both the anniversary Physical Graffiti and Live EP in stores or straight from the band’s website. On Led Zeppelin’s Facebook page, Jimmy Page wrote, “We had enough material for one-and-a-half LPs, so I figured, ‘Let’s put out a double and use some of the material we’d done previously but never released’.” 

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    Laura Adkins

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  • Houston Concert Watch 8/20: Flaming Lips, The Offspring and More [UPDATED]

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    Since I have been in the broadcasting business for a number of years, I sometimes have folks ask me, “Why do radio stations keep playing the same songs over and over?” There are a number of correct answers to this question, but the primary reason is (no surprise here) “money.” At some point, many years ago, when research began driving programming decisions, many program directors sought to play songs that would keep listeners from switching to another station.

    Among PD’s (particularly those of the classic rock variety), the message was clear: don’t risk driving a single listener away by playing a song that might not be totally familiar. You’re not going to get a raise for playing more “deep cuts.”

    Which brings us to a recent survey published on the Ultimate Classic Rock website listing the top classic rock songs based on radio airplay in 2025 (so far). There were a few surprises. Number one? Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” which just edged out Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” for the top spot on the list. However, GNR can take some solace in the fact that “Sweet Child O’ Mine” was ranked at number three.

    Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith both had 15 songs in the top 500, but neither band cracked the top 10. Hell, “Black Dog” was Zep’s highest finisher at number 31. Interestingly, though, “Stairway to Heaven” came in at number 168, indicating that some songs can, in fact, be played to the point of listener fatigue.

    In the “what the hell?” category: “Carry On Wayward Son” (number 12, thanks to the “South Park” Guitar Hero episode, no doubt, or was it because it was the unofficial anthem and fan favorite for the 15 seasons of Supernatural?), “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (number 13, but it does have a strong base of support among strippers, evidently), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (number 19 – I blame you, Tony Soprano) and “Summer of ‘69” (number 24, a stinker to be sure).  In the interest of being remotely positive about Adams and his output, I suppose that “Cuts Like a Knife” isn’t so bad, but guess what?  That song didn’t even make the damn list!

    Ticket Alert
    Sue Foley, the lady with the pink paisley Telecaster, has been considered one of the best guitarists in Texas since landing in Austin during the late ‘80s. She has won a bunch of awards and released some acclaimed records, including last year’s One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, which was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Traditional Blues Album. Tickets are on sale now for her show at the Heights Theater on Friday, November 21.

    I’m not a fan of most Christmas music, but I will keep an open mind regarding Tower of Power and the band’s “Holiday and Hits” tour, which will stop at the House of Blues on Tuesday, December 9. If I can hear a funked-up “Jingle Bells” and “What Is Hip?” during the same show, I just might be on board with that sleigh ride. Presales are up now, and the general sale begins on Friday.

    Want more live Christmas music? Well, the Pentatonix show at Toyota Center on Saturday, December 20, might get you to ho-ho-ho-ing. The a cappella quintet will bring its “Christmas in the City” tour to H-Town during the week before holiday, and presales are now in progress, with the general sale on Friday. In the holiday spirit of giving (and because the group hails from Arlington), $1 from the price of each ticket sold will be contributed to Texas flood relief efforts.
    Randy Rogers began his musical career playing joints around central Texas, soon building a regional and then a national following while he and his band began racking up hit albums and singles. You can get the password for the presale (now in progress) through the band’s website and beat the rush before the Friday ticket sale for Rogers’ show at the 713 Music Hall on Saturday, December 13.

    Herb Alpert. Is he still alive? Not an unreasonable question, but the answer is a definite “yes.” The 90-year-old trumpet player still has his chops, and he is going on the road early next year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his album Whipped Cream and Other Delights, which sported not only some incredibly catchy instrumentals but also a nude-but-not album cover. The presale for Alpert’s show on Saturday, January 17, at the Smart Financial Centre begins today, and the general sale is set for Friday.

    Concerts This Week
    Editor’s Note: Flaming Lips’ Houston performance was canceled because of a family emergency.

    Original story: A documentary tracking the history of the Flaming Lips called The Fearless Freaks was released some years back, and seldom has a title been more on-the-nose. Based on the early ’90 success of the single “She Don’t Use Jelly,” the band has been classified as “alternative rock,” but “alternative everything” might be a more accurate bit of nomenclature.

    Musically, these guys are like no one else, incorporating a number of diverse influences along with a preponderance of psychedelia. In terms of stage craft, the Flaming Lips have utilized all sorts of fanciful gimmicks over the years, including encasing lead singer Wayne Coyne in a large plastic bubble which allowed him to walk over audience members’ outstretched hands. The band’s current tour reunites the Lips with former touring mates Modest Mouse. Catch all the trippiness tonight at the 713 Music Hall.
    Whipping a quick 180, let’s consider Dale Watson, who is about as hardcore country as a guy can get. After spending his early years in North Carolina, in 1977 Watson’s family moved to Pasadena, where he began playing in honky-tonks as a teenager. He soon relocated to Los Angeles, where he secured a spot in the house band at the Palomino Club, which became ground zero for alt-country. Since then, Watson has been a torchbearer for traditional country music, with songs like “Nashville Rash” and a multi-volume series of albums called The Truckin’ Sessions which contains nothing but truck-driving songs. You can hear the real deal on Saturday at the Heights Theater.
    The Offspring hit it big by figuring out a way to put a sheen on punk rock while not totally depriving the form of its energy and rebellion. “Come Out and Play,” “Self Esteem” and “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” were all hits, showing a keen sense of satire while rocking hard enough to keep heads bobbing. Catch The Offspring on Saturday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on a bill with fellow poppy punkers Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory.

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    Tom Richards

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  • Reporter’s notebook: Walz, Vance continue orange bowling tradition with traveling press corps

    Reporter’s notebook: Walz, Vance continue orange bowling tradition with traveling press corps

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    “We need to roll an orange this weekend,” I texted the group chat of reporters that pack their lives into a suitcase and embeds with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, traveling across the country with the Democratic vice presidential candidate. 

    It’s a decades-old tradition stemming back to the days of late President Ronald Reagan. The press corps traveling with a candidate rolls an orange up the aisle of the campaign jet with a question written on it. An answer is written on the orange and then rolled back to reporters.

    Continuing the tradition with an almost-out-of-ink Sharpie, reporters on Sunday embedded with Walz asked him who his dream dinner guest was. 

    I attempted to bowl the orange up the aisle of the Boeing 757-200, but it made it about halfway up the aisle and hit another passenger’s seat. I motioned for the passenger to roll the orange up further, and once he did, it was lost. Or so we thought. 

    On Monday night, the orange was returned to us in the press motorcade with Walz’s answer: “Bruce Springsteen.”

    Words written on an orange by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz aboard a campaign flight on Oct. 7, 2024, in response to a question, also written on the orange, from press corps reporters about who is dream dinner guest would be. 

    CBS News


    Walz has been open about his love of Springsteen’s music. In March 2023, he declared “Bruce Springsteen Day” in Minnesota. 

    Springsteen, a 20-time Grammy-winner, endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket last week in a video. 

    “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are committed to a vision of this country that respects and includes everyone, regardless of class, religion, race, political point of view or sexual identity,” Springsteen said. “That’s the vision of America that I’ve been consistently writing about for 55 years.”

    Reporters embedded with Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, former President Donald Trump’s running mate, did their own orange roll Tuesday.

    “To Vance: Fave song?” they wrote. 

    “Led Zeppelin Ten Years Gone,” the orange read when it was swiftly returned, according to pool reports. 

    In what has been an intense presidential campaign, this was a tradition that gave reporters and candidates a chance to lighten things up. 

    Shawna Mizelle

    Shawna Mizelle is a 2024 campaign reporter for CBS News.

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