Today in Rock History – 3rd DECEMBER:

BIRTHDAYS
1940: John Cale (The Velvet Underground)
1944: Ralph McTell
1946: Vic Malcolm (Geordie)
1947: Percy Jones (Brand X / Eno / Soft Machine / Tunnels / Sessions)
1948: John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne
1949: Mickey Thomas (Jefferson Starship)
1952: Duane Roland (Molly Hatchet)
1957: Jerry Pearse-Smith (Rose Bayonet)

Geoff Dunn & Jerry Pearse-Smith, of Rose Bayonet. Happy Birthday, Jezza! 

EVENTS
1965: The Who released their debut album, ‘My Generation’.
1965: The Beatles released their ‘Rubber Soul’ album. It went to the top of the charts around the world, staying at No. 1 in UK for 8 weeks.
1965: The Beatles set out on what would be their last ever UK tour at Glasgow’s Odeon Cinema.
1969: The Rolling Stones recorded “Brown Sugar” at Muscle Shoals studios.
1972: Death of bassist, Bill Johnson, originator of the slap bass style [aged 98].
1976: An escaped giant 40ft inflatable pig could be seen floating above London, having been photographed for Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals’ album cover.
1980: Kiss played a concert at Western Springs, Auckland. It was the last time that Ace Frehley would perform with the group for many years.
1981: Rose Bayonet performed their first gig with new singer, Geoff Dunn! It was the first of three consecutive nights at The Terminus Tavern, in Wellington.
1985: George Thorogood & The Destroyers played a concert at Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland ~ I was there!
1986: Judas Priest were sued by two families, alleging that the band’s music was responsible for their sons shooting themselves. The case was eventually dismissed.
2001: Death of session guitarist, Grady Martin [aged 72].
2014: Death of keyboard player, Ian McLagan of The Faces [aged 69].
2015: Death of singer, Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots & Velvet Revolver [aged 48].
2016: Death of saxophonist / trumpeter, Herb Hardesty [aged 91].
2021: Death of drummer, Melvin Parker [aged 77]. Melvin was best known as part of James Brown’s band, playing on the hits “Out of Sight”, “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” & “I Got You (I Feel Good)”.
2023: Death of singer / guitarist / writer / producer, Myles Goodwin of April Wine [aged 75].

Happy Birthday, Ozzy Osbourne! He’ll be celebrating 76 years on Earth today. Let’s go back to where it all started for Ozzy, with Black Sabbath. Recorded live in Paris in ’70, here’s “War Pigs”!