Today in Rock History – 26th JANUARY:

BIRTHDAYS
1908: Stéphane Grappelli
1945: Ashley Hutchings (Fairport Convention)
1948: Laurence “Corky” Laing (Mountain)
1953: Lucinda Williams
1955: Edward Van Halen (Van Halen)
1958: Anita Baker
1961: Tom Keifer (Cinderella)

EVENTS
1970: John Lennon wrote, recorded & mixed his new single, “Instant Karma”, all in one day.
1973: Sweet were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with “Blockbuster”.
1977: Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, Peter Green was committed to a mental hospital.
1980: Bon Scott performed his last concert with AC/DC, in Southampton, UK. He died 23 days later.
1984: Robert Plant performed a concert at Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland ~ I was there!
2019: Roger Hodgson, Toni Childs & others performed a concert at Taupo Amphitheatre ~ I was there!
2024: Death of writer, promoter and photographer, Dick Waterman. He was inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame for all his work, greatly helping blues artists and their families.

Eddie Van Halen, would have been 69 today ~ Rest in Peace, Guitar God! When the debut VH LP exploded on the scene in early 1978, the world of guitar was changed forever. Eddie revolutionised how the instrument could be played, with his incredible technique and style. An Eruption indeed!