Today in Rock History – 11th JUNE:

BIRTHDAYS
1948: Alan Skipper (The Pretty Things)
1949: Frank Beard (ZZ Top)

EVENTS
1966: “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones hit the No. 1 spot on the U.K. & U.S. singles charts.
1977: As Britain celebrated the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, The Sex Pistols reached No. 2 in the singles chart with “God Save the Queen”.
1994: Morphine played a concert at The Powerstation, Auckland ~ I was there!
1998: Terry Bozzio held a drum clinic at The Mandalay, Auckland ~ I was there!
2015: Death of Ornette Coleman [aged 85].
2017: Death of Nigel Grainge, founder of Ensign Records [aged 70].
2017: Tami Neilson & her Hot Rockin’ Band of Rhythm played a concert at the Napier Conference Centre ~ I was there!
2024: Death of singer / songwriter / actress / model, Françoise Hardy [aged 80].

Morphine was a most unusual band, fronted by the charismatic and skillful musician / singer, Mark Sandman. He died from a heart attack in 1999, aged only 46, literally dropping dead, live on stage at a concert in Italy. Mark’s unique slide work on his weird two-string bass laid down a very slinky groove for saxophonist, Dana Colley and drummer, Billy Conway. Cool sound ~ with no guitar!