Today in rock history Wednesday 1st February

1937 – Born on this day, Ray Sawyer, vocals, Dr Hook.

1938 – Born on this day, Jimmy Carl Black, drums, Frank Zappa.

1950 – Born on this day, Mike Campbell, guitar, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

1963 – 17 year-old Neil Young performed his first professional date at a country club in Winnipeg.

1967 – At Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles started work on a new song ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.

1968 – The Who kicked off their third North American tour at the Civic Auditorium San Jose, California

1969 – Born on this day, Patrick Wilson, Weezer

1971 – Ron Welty, drums, The Offspring is born today

1977 – The Sex Pistols began a European tour in Belgium.

1977 – The film “Genesis in Concert” premieres in London, with Princess Anne in attendance.

1980 – Uriah Heep kicked off their 19 date 10th Anniversary UK tour at Birmingham’s Odeon, supported by Girlschool.

1988 – The Cars announced they were breaking up after 12 years of working together.

1992 – Nirvana’s album, “Nevermind” goes to the No. 1 spot on the Chart Toppers Album chart for the second time.

1995, Richey James guitarist with the Manic Street Preachers vanished leaving no clues to his whereabouts. He left The Embassy Hotel in London at 7am, leaving behind his packed suitcase. His car was found on the Severn Bridge outside Bristol, England sixteen days later.

1999 – Four hundred people were injured after an Australian concert by Marilyn Manson when he stormed off stage after being bombarded with missiles and abuse at the show.

2002 – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club made their UK live debut when they appeared at Liverpool University.

2008 – US space agency Nasa announced that ‘Across the Universe’ by the Beatles was to become the first song ever to be beamed directly into space.

2009 – Bruce Springsteen started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Working on a Dream’ his 16th studio album.