Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s August 12th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
Starting off with releases and it’s a killer day as we got The Black Album from Metallica in 1991!
We also got Sacred Heart from DIO in 1985, Paul Simon’s One Trick Pony in 1980, Cheap Thrills from Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1968, and two debuts! One being Eric Clapton’s solo debut in 1970 and the other being Motorhead’s in ’77!
It’s Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits’ birthday today
We lost the influential Les Paul in 2009. Obviously known for his guitars, Paul also helped create many different recording techniques that are still in use today, including overdubbing, delays, and multitrack recording! The video below shows Paul’s entire recording process and it’s fascinating!
We also lost stuntman Ronnie Rondell Jr. in 2025 at the age of 88. Who? Well, you may know Ronnie best for his fiery appearance on the cover of this album:
In 1989, the Moscow Music Peace Festival began. The two-day festival, held in Russia’s Lenin Stadium, featured performers included Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Motley Crue and Ozzy Osbourne. The event was also the first time that a Soviet-era crowd were allowed to stand up and dance, as they were previously required to remain seated.
In 2012, the London Olympics’ closing ceremony took place, featuring a multi-generational lineup of British stars. Among them during the 3-and-a-half hour show included performances from The Who and Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen. Queen frontman Freddie Mercury also made a posthumous appearance in video form.
And finally in 1968, The New Yardbirds began their first rehearsal beneath a record store in Westminster, London. The band would later change their name to Led Zeppelin and the rest is rock history!
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
