Gonna Buy Five Copies for My Mother...

Today in rock history, in 1973, Dr. Hook gets on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine largely by singing about wanting to be there. Rolling Stone’s credibility never really recovers. Man, this would be a great song to cover (ha ha get it?) so I’ll let you know how that goes! Thanks to http://www.rockintown.com/today-in-rock.html for the info; you can see the cover here at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:131hook32973.jpg; keep on rockin’!

Wiggle like an eel, waddle like a duck…

That's the way you do it when you do the Hucklebuck… On this day in rock and roll history, in 1952, a rather auspicious beginning, it’s the first Rock n’ Roll concert. Put on by Cleveland DJ Alan Freed, it was a five-act show called "The Moondog Coronation Ball" held at the Cleveland Arena. This event is known as the first rock and roll concert. Crowds attended in numbers far beyond the arena's capacity, and the concert was shut down early due to overcrowding, a near-riot and vandalism after only one song played (“The Hucklebuck,” a then-popular local dance craze, by Paul Williams and the Hucklebuckers). Everybody has a great time. Thanks to http://www.rockintown.com/today-in-rock.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Freed for the info; check out the poster at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Moondog_poster.jpg, and keep on rockin’!

When You Touch Down…

… you’ll find it’s stranger than known…Today in rock history, in 1966 the Byrds release "Eight Miles High." Way ahead of the curve, the song’s psychedelic overtones plus a radio ban (due to “drug references”) cause it to stall at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Check out what looks to me to be the drummer’s bored sigh at about 1:08 (either that or he’s in pain). Well, Mr. Clarke, if you didn’t want to be there, I’d have gladly changed places with you! Also check out bass player Hillman’s bass chords at about 3:10 - a truly great underrated bassist! Thanks to http://www.rockintown.com/today-in-rock.html for the info, and keep on rockin’!

It May Give You Warts…

Today in rock history, in 1968, the definitive (and lengthy – 16:51) version of “Toad” is recorded at Fillmore West in San Francisco (2nd show). The original studio-take appears on Cream’s debut “Fresh Cream.” This version is found on the studio/live “Wheels Of Fire,” the first double-album to go platinum. One time, in that same year, I was playing this solo with my band at a gig at the Music Box Ballroom in Omaha, and I was into it so much I broke a bass drum head. Extreme, yes, and, ultimately expensive; it hadn’t happened before or since. Here’s a vid of ol’ Ginger at his 70th birthday party showing that the Master has still got it! Thanks to http://www.rockintown.com/today-in-rock.html for the info, and keep on rockin’ – but gently!