188 Classic Rock

May 18th 1985, Simple Minds were at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Don't You Forget About Me', (a No. 7 hit in the UK). Written by Keith Forsey (who won an Oscar for "Flashdance... What a Feeling") and Steve Schiff (guitarist and songwriter from the...

May 18th 1942, Born on this day, Albert Hammond, Gibraltarian singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group the Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969. As a solo artist he scored...

May 17th 1948, Born on this day, Bill Bruford, English drummer. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968–1972, and then joined King Crimson. He worked as the touring drummer for Genesis in 1976 and U.K. in 1978.

May 17th 1942, Born on this day, Taj Mahal, US multi-instrumentalist, composer of film soundtracks. In the early 60's he formed The Rising Sons with Ry Cooder, one of the first interracial bands of the period. Mahal has worked with Howlin' Wolf, Buddy...

May 17th 2012, Donna Summer, the 1970s pop singer known as the Queen of Disco, died of lung cancer, an illness she believed she contracted from inhaling toxic particles released after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York. She won five Grammy...

May 17th 1996, US blues guitarist Johnny Guitar Watson died of a heart attack while on tour in Yokohama, Japan. According to eyewitness reports, he collapsed mid guitar solo. His last words were "ain't that a bitch."

May 17th 1975, Elton John was awarded a Platinum Record for sales of a million copies of the LP 'Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy', the first album ever to be certified Platinum on the day of its release.

17th May 1964, Bob Dylan made his first major concert UK appearance when he played at the Royal Festival Hall in London with an afternoon show listed as a ‘Folksong Concert’. Dylan's 18-song set included the live debut of Mr. Tambourine Man and took place...

May 16th 1951, Born on this day, Jonathan Richman, guitar, vocals, The Modern Lovers, (1977 UK No.5 single 'Egyptian Reggae' & 1977 UK No.11 'Roadrunner'). Appeared in the films Dumb & Dumber and There's Something About Mary.

May 16th 1947, Born on this day, Darrell Sweet, Nazareth, (1973 UK No.9 single 'Broken Down Angel' 1976 US No. 8 single 'Love Hurts'). Died on 30th April 1999 after suffering a fatal heart attack before a show in New Albany, Indiana.