Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s October 20th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
Starting the day on a sad note, as in 1977, a passenger plane carrying southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from South Carolina to Louisiana crashed in a wooded area in Mississippi. Six people were killed in the violent crash including: Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, Guitarist Steve Gaines, Steve’s sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and the band’s assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, as well as the plane’s pilots Captain Walter McCreary and First Officer William Gray. Other members of the group survived, which they would discuss in the band’s documentary If I Leave Here Tomorrow.
We lost Cory Wells of Three Dog Night in 2015
Switching gears from the depressing now, in 2002, a man claiming to be Kid Rock’s personal assistant was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop of Rock’s tour bus on the Florida Turnpike. Cops found cocaine, weed, and drug paraphernalia on the guy and in his luggage. He was released from jail on $16,000 bond.
We got Get Close from The Pretenders in 1986!
Other releases include Ace of Spades from Motorhead in 1980, Zoot Allures from Frank Zappa in 1976, U2’s Boy in 1980, Black Ice from AC/DC in 2008, The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds in 2023 and Nine Inch Nails’ debut Pretty Hate Machine in 1989!
And in 1976, the Led Zeppelin concert film, The Song Remains The Same, premiered in New York City
It’s Tom Petty’s birthday!
Other birthdays include Ricky Byrd of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Al Greenwood of Foreigner and Daniel Tichenor of Cage the Elephant!
Going a little old school now, as in 1962, this classic hit #1 on the charts:
Why not let’s play the Ted clip
And finally in 1978, The Police performed their first US concert at CBGBs in New York City. A year prior, while in Paris for a Police gig, Sting walked the city’s red-light district. Watching the ladies of the night do their thing inspired him to write the band’s first hit, Roxanne.
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
