188 Classic Rock

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.

August 8th 1961, Born on this day, The Edge (Dave Evans), guitar, U2, (1984 UK No.3 single 'Pride, In The Name Of Love' plus over 25 other UK Top singles, 1987 UK and worldwide No.1 album The Joshua Tree spent 156 weeks on the UK chart. Scored five consecutive...

August 7th 1954, Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto at St Ann's Catholic Church in Memphis. Cash had plans of becoming a Memphis appliance salesman, he instead formed a band with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant, and was signed to Sun Records a year...

August 7th 1957, The Quarry Men played at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, (without Paul McCartney who was away at Boy Scout summer camp). The Cavern was still a jazz club, but skiffle was tolerated, but when John Lennon dared to play ‘Hound Dog’ and ‘Blue...