188 Classic Rock

9th Aug 1967, The Small Faces entered the singles chart with 'Itchycoo Park', the single peaked at No.3 in the UK chart. The song was one of the first pop singles to use flanging, an effect that can be heard in the bridge section after each chorus. Most...

August 9th 1963, The first ever edition of 'Ready Steady Go! was shown on UK TV. Introduced by Keith Fordyce and 19 year-old Cathy McGowan. The first show featured The Searchers, Jet Harris, Pat Boone, Billy Fury and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. The...

August 9th 1967, Scott McKenzie was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair).' The singers only UK Top 40 hit was written by John Philips of Mamas & Papas.

August 9th 1969, During a North American tour Led Zeppelin appeared at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Jethro Tull who opened for the band were at No.1 on the UK album chart with their second release 'Stand Up'.

August 9th 1995, Jerry Garcia guitarist and singer from The Grateful Dead died from a heart attack at the Serenity Knolls rehabilitation clinic in San Francisco aged 53. Garcia co-founded the New Riders of the Purple Sage and also released several solo...

August 9th 1944, Born on this day, Vic Prince, drummer, Pretty Things (1964 UK No.10 single 'Don't Bring Me Down').

‘Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 3,’ released in the summer of 1963, featured The King’s biggest hits of the decade so far, including “It’s Now Or Never,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” and “Stuck On You.” Hear it here:

August 8th 1970, Janis Joplin bought a headstone for the grave of her greatest influence Bessie Smith at the Mont Lawn Cemetery in Philadelphia. Blues singer Smith died in 1937 after being refused admission to a whites only hospital.

8th Aug 1969, The photo session for the cover of The Beatles Abbey Road album took place on the crossing outside Abbey Road studios. Photographer Iain McMillan, balanced on a step-ladder in the middle of the road took six shots of John, Ringo, Paul, and...

August 8th 1933, Born on this day, Joe Tex, US soul singer, (1965 US No.5 single 'Hold On To What You've Got', 1977 UK No.2 single 'Ain't Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman'). Tex died on 12th August 1982 aged 49.