This Week In Rock History June 17 – June 23
The Answer to this Week’s Question – Bruce Springsteen plays his longest gig ever! The epic show was played at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. It lasted 3 hours and 48 minutes and spanned 32 songs. The second encore featured the rock and roll classic “Twist and Shout.” June 17, 2012 Be sure to check out other cool things that happened this week on “This Week In Rock!”
BORN THIS WEEK IN ROCK HISTORY – June 17 – June 23
Gregg Rolie – June 17, 1947 (keyboards, Santana and Journey)
Carl Radle – June 17, 1942 (bass, Derek and the Dominos)
Jerry “boogie” McCain – June 18, 1930 (Blues Harmonica Player)
Paul McCartney – June 18, 1942 (bass, The Beatles)
Rod De’Ath – June 18,1950 (drummer, Rory Gallagher)
Peter Bardens – June 19, 1944 (keyboards, Camel)
Ann Wilson – June 19, 1950 (vocals, Heart)
Simon Wright – June 19, 1963 (drums, AC/DC)
Chet Atkins – June 20, 1924
Eric Dolphy – June 20, 1928 (Jazz Saxophone)
Brian Wilson – June 20, 1942 (vocals, The Beach Boys)
Joey Kramer – June 21, 1950 (drums, Aerosmith)
Don Airey: June 21, 1948 (keyboards, Deep Purple)
Nils Lofgren – June 21, 1951 (The E Street Band, Crazy Horse, guitar)
Kris Kristofferson – June 22, 1936
Larry Junstrom: June 22, 1949 (bass, .38 Special)
Todd Rundgren – June 22, 1948
Helen Humes – June 23, 1913 (Jazz/Blues Singer)
June Carter Cash – June 23, 1929
Stuart Sutcliffe – June 23, 1940 (original bassist for the Beatles)
Died this Week in Rock History – June 17 – June 23
Clarence Clemons-June 18, 2011 (sax, The E Street Band)
Duane Roland – June 19, 2006 (guitar, Molly Hatchet)
Slim Whitman – June 19, 2013 (Country Singer)
Billy Preston – June 20, 2006 (Musician, Songwriter, Producer)
Angus Maclise June 21, 1979 (drums, The Velvet Underground)
John Lee Hooker June 21, 2001 (blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist)
Bobby “Blue” Bland – June 23, 2013
Vinnie Paul – June 22, 2018 (Drummer and co-founder of Pantera)
Bobby “Blue” Bland June 23, 2013
Pete Quaife – June 23, 2010 (bass, The Kinks)
Music releases and the top of the charts
Rolling Stones released first UK single June 17, 1963
The Rolling Stones’ LP Exile On Main Street hits #1 June 17, 1972
Steve Winwood’s debut solo album is released June 17, 1977
Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” hits #1: June 18, 1977
Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” goes gold June 19. 1973
Foreigner releases Double Vision: June 20, 1978
Bob Dylan / The Band, Before The Flood is released June 20, 1974
Blind Faith, Blind Faith was released June 22, 1969
This Week in Rock History
Led Zeppelin embark on what will become their last tour – June 17, 1980
Bruce Springsteen plays his longest gig ever! The epic show was played at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. It lasted 3 hours and 48 minutes and spanned 32 songs. The second encore featured the rock and roll classic “Twist and Shout.” June 17, 2012
After wrestling the coveted closing spot from the Who, Jimi Hendrix goes to wow concertgoers at the Monterey Pop music festival by closing his set with a rousing rendition of “Wild Thing” and then setting his guitar on fire during his set. He also smashed the flaming instrument and sent its remains flying into the audience – June 18, 1967
For the first time, Ringo Starr uses his new Ludwig drum kit, complete with the famous “Beatles” logo, onstage as the group performs at London’s Playhouse Theatre. The set included the classic “From Me To You”- June 19, 1963
David Bowie records “Space Oddity” in London at Trident Studios. The song is the first of three David Bowie tunes to feature the character of “Major Tom.” David Bowie had asked George Martin to produce the track, but he declined; it was ultimately produced by Gus Dudgeon June 20, 1969
The Rolling Stones sue fourteen New York City hotels who have refused to admit the band during their North American tour, disingenuously accusing them of “discrimination on account of national origin” June 21, 1966
San Francisco’s beautiful Golden Gate Park celebrates the Summer Solstice with a free concert, featuring entertainment by The Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Quicksilver Messenger Service June 21, 1967
Who guitarist Pete Townshend is waiting for his flight at the airport in Memphis, likens the band’s latest album, Tommy, to the atomic bomb, causing officials who misheard the remark to search the facilities for a real bomb June 21, 1970
Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore quits Deep Purple. After thinking about recording a solo band, he goes on to start another band called Rainbow. June 21, 1975
Elton John surprises crowds by appearing at a Doobie Brothers/ Eagles concert June 21, 1975
Eric Clapton joins the Rolling Stones for a version of “Sympathy For The Devil” during the band’s Madison Square Garden concert June 22, 1975
Billy Joel performs a concert at Yankee Stadium, the first rocker ever to do so. During the set, Joel played hits like Allentown and Only the Good Die Young, plus some deeper cuts such as Prelude/Angry Young Man and That’s Not Her Style, closing the encore with the sing-along anthem “Piano Man.” June 22, 1990
Who drummer Keith Moon joins Led Zeppelin onstage in Los Angeles June 23, 1977
That’s it for “This Week In Rock!” Be sure to check back next week for more Week In Rock tidbits!