MUSIC HISTORY'S BLOG

This day in 1978 - Dire Straits began recording their first album at Basing Street Studios, London. The whole project cost £12,500 ($21,250) to produce. The album which featured the group's breakthrough single 'Sultans of…

Born on this day in 1950: Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, who quit the band in 1977 for solo work. Hackett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis…

This day in 1964: The Beatles made their live concert debut in the US at the Washington Coliseum. Over 350 police surrounded the stage to keep the 8,000 plus screaming fans in control. One police…

This day in 1977: The Clash started recording their debut album at CBS studios in London, England. The album was recorded over three weekend sessions at CBS Studio 3 in February 1977. By the third…

This day in 1963 - The first Beatles single 'Please Please Me' was released in the US on the Vee Jay label. Capitol Records, EMI's United States label, were offered the right to release the…

This day in 1958 - George Harrison joined Liverpool group The Quarrymen. The group who were named after Lennon's school featured John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Len Garry, Eric Griffiths and John Lowe. The Quarrymen took…

Born on this day in 1929: Hal Blaine, American drummer and session musician. He is most known for his work with the Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles. Blaine played on numerous hits by Elvis Presley,…

Born on this day in 1948: Alice Cooper, (Vincent Furnier), who formed the Earwigs, and then the Alice Cooper Band, who had the 1972 UK No.1 & US No.7 single 'School's Out', the 1972 hit…

This day in 1959 - 22 year old Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, aged 17, died in a crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa, the pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft…

Born on this day in 1946 - Terry Kath, guitarist with Chicago who had the 1976 UK & US No.1 single 'If You Leave Me Now'. Kath accidentally shot himself dead on January 23rd 1978.…