Today in Rock History – 19th MAY:

BIRTHDAYS
1938: Brian “Herbie” Flowers (Blue Mink, Rumplestiltskin, CCS, T. Rex, The Daisies, Sky, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Elton John, Camel, Roy Harper, David Essex, Al Kooper, Bryan Ferry, Harry Nilsson, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jeff Wayne & more)

1945: Pete Townshend (The Who)
1949: Joe “Dusty” Hill (ZZ Top)
1950: Mike Wedgwood (Curved Air)
1951: Jeffrey Hyman a.k.a. Joey Ramone (Ramones)

1952: Grace Jones
1954: Philip Rudd (AC/DC)
1968: Paul Hartnoll (Orbital)
1970: Stuart Cable (Stereophonics)

EVENTS
1967: The Beatles held a press party in London for the launch of the ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ album.
1969: Death of jazz saxophonist, Coleman Hawkins [aged 64].
1972: Uriah Heep released their breakthrough fourth album, ‘Demons and Wizards‘.
1976: Keith Richards crashed his car near Newport Pagnell, Bucks, after falling asleep at the wheel.
1979: Supertramp went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Breakfast in America’.
1986: Peter Gabriel released his fifth album, ‘So’.
2015: Yesworld made the shock announceement that Billy Sherwood would be standing in for Chris Squire on the upcoming Yes tour, due to Chris being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. ☹
2018: Death of guitarist / songwriter / producer, Reggie Lucas (Miles Davis / Madonna etc.) [aged 65].
2023: Death of lyricist / songwriter / poet / singer, Pete Brown [aged 82]. Pete was best known as the 4th member of Cream, having written the lyrics for many of their best songs, including “I Feel Free”, “White Room”, “SWLABR”, “Politician”, “Deserted Cities of the Heart” & “Sunshine of Your Love”.
2023: Yes released their 23rd studio album, ‘Mirror to the Sky’.

Pete Townshend ~ genius songwriter / guitarist / multi-instrumentalist / singer is 80 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PETE!!! (Have to yell it, as he’s a bit deaf these days). Here is one of the greatest songs ever, performed by The Who.