188 Classic Rock

28th July 1960, Roy Orbison entered the UK chart with 'Only The Lonely', which went on to give Roy his first of 3 UK chart toppers. As an operatic rock ballad, it was a sound unheard of at the time, and is seen as a seminal event in the evolution of Rock...

July 28th 1956, Gene Vincent made his first appearance on national TV in the US on The Perry Como Show. Vincent had released ‘Woman Love’ the previous month, but it was the B-side, ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula,’ that eventually made the top 10. The song had been purchased...

July 28th 1962, Born on this day, Rachel Sweet, singer, (1978 UK No.35 single 'B-A-B-Y').

July 28th 1949, Born on this day, Simon Kirke, drums, Free, (1971 UK No.2 & US No.4 single 'All Right Now'). Bad Company (1974 UK No.15 single 'Can't Get Enough').

27th July 1974, Wings started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Band On The Run', featuring the title-track, 'Jet' and the US hit 'Helen Wheels'. The album sold over 6 million copies world-wide. Band On The Run.

July 27th 1974, John Denver started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Annie's Song', the singers second US No.1. The song was a tribute to his wife and was written in 10 minutes while he was on a ski lift.

July 27th 1985, Paul Young went to No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of the Daryl Hall song 'Every Time You Go Away'.

July 27th 1986, Queen became the first western act since Louis Armstrong in 1964 to perform in Easten Europe when they played at Budapest's Nepstadion, Hungary, the gig was filmed and released as 'Queen Magic in Budapest'.

July 27th 1944, Born on this day, Bobbie Gentry, US singer, songwriter, notable as one of the first female country artists to compose and produce her own material. Gentry rose to international fame with her intriguing Southern Gothic narrative 'Ode to...

27th July 1968, Cass Elliot released her first solo single following the break up of The Mamas and Papas. ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ had been around since 1931 and had been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine and many others. Cass' version would...