BIRTHDAYS
1954: Chris Difford (Squeeze)
1956: Dan Hartman
1956: Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater)
1957: James Honeyman-Scott (Pretenders)
1965: Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen Band / Journey)
EVENTS
1968: Cream played their final American show, in Long Island.
1969: The Allman Brothers band released their self-titled debut album.
1974: Sweet released their third album, ‘Desolation Boulevard’.
1974: Deep Purple released the ‘Stormbringer’ album, their second LP to feature singer, David Coverdale and bassist / singer, Glenn Hughes.
1977: Martin Scorsese’s movie of The Band’s final concert, ‘The Last Waltz’ premiered in New York.
1981: Black Sabbath released the ‘Mob Rules’ album, their second LP to feature singer, Ronnie James Dio.
1994: Death of guitarist, Fred “Sonic” Smith of MC5 [aged 44].
1997: Yes released their ‘Keys to Ascension 2’ double CD set.
2008: Chris Squire, Steve Howe & Alan White of Yes began their ‘In the Present’ tour with singer, Benoit David and Rick Wakeman’s son, Oliver on keyboards.
2016: Death of keyboard player, Eddie Harsch of The Black Crowes [aged 59].
Rest in Peace: Fred “Sonic” Smith, 25 years gone. This is very raw footage of the guitarist’s band, MC5 — but it was Detroit in 1969! MC5 were an explosive, unpredictable live act, who influenced The Stooges and were around long before Ramones and other punk rockers that followed suit. In 1980, Fred married Patti Smith (conveniently, she didn’t have to change her surname) and they remained together until his death in 1994. Kick out the jams, brothers and sisters!
