Today in Rock History – 2nd MARCH:

BIRTHDAYS
1942: Lewis “Lou” Reed
1948: Larry Carlton
1948: Rory Gallagher
1950: Karen Carpenter
1954: Hunt Sales (Iggy Pop Band / Tin Machine)
1955: Dale Bozzio (Frank Zappa Band / Missing Persons)
1956: Mark Evans (AC/DC)
1962: John Bonjiovi a.k.a. Jon Bon Jovi
1977: Chris Martin (Coldplay)

EVENTS
1942: Death of jazz guitarist / singer, Charlie Christian [aged 24].
1964: The Beatles began filming ‘A Hard Days Night’ movie, at Marylebone train station in London.
1973: Jon Anderson is given a copy of ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Jamie Muir at Bill Bruford’s wedding. Later that month, Jon becomes fascinated by a footnote on page 83 and begins writing ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’. Nine months later, Yes release the epic double album.
1983: Sony, Philips & Polygram launched the compact disc player.
1991: Death of French singer, Serge Gainsbourgh [aged 62].
1999: Death of singer, Dusty Springfield [aged 59].
2008: Death of blind guitarist, Jeff Healey [aged 41].
2021: Death of singer / songwriter / percussionist, Bunny Wailer of Bob Marley & The Wailers [aged 73].
2023: Death of bassist / producer, Steve Mackey of Pulp [aged 56].
2023: Death of saxophonist, Wayne Shorter of Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis Group, Weather Report & Mega Nova [aged 89]. Shorter played on many albums, including well known releases by Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Santana, Herbie Hancock & Don Henley.
2024: Death of keyboard player, Jim Beard [aged 63]. Jim played for Steely Dan, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Wayne Shorter and many others.

Birthday thoughts today for Rory Gallagher, who would have been 76 today! When Jimi Hendrix was asked how it felt to be the greatest guitarist in the world, his reply was “Go ask Rory Gallagher!” I witnessed him live in Dunedin in 1980 and I still have the giant tour poster too. It was a brilliant concert, with Rory giving his heart and soul for the blues, acoustic and electric. Super energised rhythm section Gerry McAvoy and Ted McKenna ripped it up on the harder rock numbers, such as this… Miss ya, Rory!