188 Classic Rock

April 17th 1965, Bob Dylan's second studio album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was at No.1 on the UK chart. The album opens with 'Blowin' in the Wind', which became an anthem of the 1960s, and an international hit for folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary.

April 17th 1970, While performing at the White House at the invitation of President Richard Nixon, Johnny Cash was asked to perform "Okie From Muskogee". Cash declined because it was not his song, but had been a hit for Merle Haggard. Instead, Cash sang...

April 17th 1970, Santana began sessions for what would be their breakthrough album Abraxas at Wally Heider Recording Studio, San Francisco, California. When released in September of this year, Abraxas peaked at No.1 on the US chart

April 17th 1973, Pink Floyd's album The Dark Side of The Moon went gold in the US. The LP went on to stay in the US chart for more than ten years and became the longest charting rock record of all time.

April 17th 1982, Vangelis was at No.1 on the US album chart with Chariots Of Fire, he later also won an Oscar for the album for best original score.

April 17th 1983, Felix Pappalardi, producer and bass player with American rock band Mountain was shot dead by his wife Gail Collins during a jealous rage. Collins was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and sentenced to four years in prison. Pappalardi...

April 17th 1974, Vinnie Taylor guitarist with US rock 'n roll revival band Sha Na Na was found dead in a Holiday Inn hotel room in Charlottesville, Virginia from a drug overdose. Sha Na Na played at the Woodstock Festival, their 90-second appearance in...

April 17th 1994, Pink Floyd started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with The Division Bell, their fourth No.1 album.

April 17th 1934, Born on this day, Don Kirshner, who launched the careers of Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Harry Nilsson, The Monkees and The Archies. He died on January 17, 2011.

April 17th 1998, Linda McCartney died after a long battle against cancer. Married Paul McCartney in 1969 when she was working as a photographer. As well as a being a member of Wings, she became an animal rights campaigner and launched her own brand of...