Today in Rock History – 24th APRIL:

BIRTHDAYS
1941: John Williams (Sky)
1944: Tony Visconti (Legendary Producer / Musician, mainly associated with David Bowie)
1945: Doug “Cosmo” Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
1957: David Jay (Bauhaus)
1962: Peter “Pump” Rowley (Stark Raving)
1963: Billy Gould (Faith No More)
1964: Paul Ryder (Happy Mondays)
1974: Brian Marshall (Creed)

EVENTS
1968: The Beatles new company, Apple Records turned down the offer to sign new artist, David Bowie.
1975: Death of guitarist / singer / songwriter, Pete Ham of Badfinger [aged 27].
1976: Led Zeppelin scored their sixth UK No.1 album with ‘Presence‘, also No.1 in the US.

1976: Paul & Linda McCartney spent the evening with John Lennon at his New York apartment, making it the last time Lennon & McCartney were together.
1992: David Bowie married model Iman, in Switzerland.

2003: The first official UK download chart was compiled.
2013: My last day with Marbecks, after 25 years of service!
2016: Death of Congolese singer, Papa Wemba [aged 66].
2024: Death of keyboardist, Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues [aged 82].

One of the saddest true stories in rock, is the history of Badfinger. It was today in 1975, when Pete Ham took his own life, aged only 27. Tragically, eight years later, his band mate Tom Evans also hung himself. Both suicides were due to years of being ripped off by their unscrupulous manager. Badfinger sold millions of records, but were left in financial ruin. At least we have their brilliant songs still with us ~ including “Without You”, “Baby Blue”, “No Matter What”, and this one…

On this day in 1976, Led Zeppelin were at number 1 on the charts with their heaviest album, entitled ‘Presence’. I bought the LP the day it was released and it remains one of my all time favourite records. Jimmy Page was at the peak of his guitar playing ability and Robert Plant was singing with almighty power, despite being in a wheelchair, having been in a car accident in Greece. Bonham’s drums are thunderous and Jones holds it all together, as usual. This live version of the phenomenal “Achilles Last Stand” was recorded a year later… the sound quality is very raw, but the footage of vintage Zep is amazing! It would have taken weeks to piece this collage together…