188 Classic Rock

April 20th 1968, Deep Purple made their live debut at a gig in Tastrup, Denmark. Formerly known as Roundabout, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore suggested a new name: Deep Purple, named after his grandmother's favourite song (which had been a hit for Peter...

20th April 1991, Steve Marriott leader of the Small Faces and Humble Pie, died in a fire at his home in Essex. His work became a major influence for many 90's bands. Small Faces had the 1967 UK No.3 & US No.16 single 'Itchycoo Park', plus 1968 No.1 UK...

Ruby Johnson (19 April 1936 – 4 July 1999) was an American soul singer, best known for her recordings on the Volt label in the late 1960s. She was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and was raised in the Jewish faith. She sang, with her eight brothers...

Happy birthday Mark Volman (born April 19, 1947) an American rock and roll guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Turtles. Volman became a stand-out figure upon joining the Mothers of Invention under the tutelage of...

Happy birthday Anthony Philip Harford (born 19 April 1957), better known by his stage name Tony Martin, is a heavy metal vocalist, best known for his time fronting Black Sabbath, initially from 1987 to 1991 and again from 1993 to 1997. Martin was the...

April 19th 1942, Born on this day, Alan Price, keyboards, The Animals, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'House Of The Rising Sun'). And solo, (1967 UK No.4 single 'Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Bear').

April 19th 1928, Born on this day, Alexis Korner, blues singer, musician. Major force behind the UK R&B scene, formed Blues Incorporated with Charlie Watts, had hits with CCS, (1971 UK No.5 single 'Tap Turns On The Water'). Writer and radio presenter....

18th April 2013, Storm Thorgerson, whose album cover artwork includes Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of The Moon died aged 69. A childhood friend of the founding members of the band, he became their designer-in-chief. His credits also include albums by Led...

April 18th 1935, Born on this day, Paul A. Rothchild, American record producer, worked with The Doors, ('Break on Through (To the Other Side)', 'Light My Fire', 'People Are Strange'), Janis Joplin, (No.1 album Pearl and her only No.1 single, 'Me and Bobby...

April 19th 1980, 32 year old English singer Brian Johnson joined Australian group AC/DC, replacing Bon Scott who had died after a drinks binge in February 1980. Johnson's first band was the Gobi Desert Canoe Club. He was also in a band called Fresh. From...