Today in Rock History – 17th JUNE:

BIRTHDAYS
1944: Peter Robinson a.k.a. Chris Spedding (Sharks / Bryan Ferry Band / Session guitarist for Eno, Paul McCartney, Rodriguez, Jeff Wayne, Mike Batt, Jack Bruce, John Cale, Roy Harper, Roxy Music, Elton John, Nick Mason, Art Garfunkel, Katie Melua, Ginger Baker, Roger Daltrey, Joan Armatrading, Nilsson, The Wombles, & many more)
1947: Greg Rolie (Santana)
1958: Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)
1962: Michael Monroe (Hanoi Rocks)

EVENTS
1972: The Rolling Stones album ‘Exile on Main Street’ was No.1 in the UK & US charts.

1976: Ian Dury played his last gig with Kilburn and the High Roads, before starting his solo career.
1977: UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker disappeared for six months.
1977: After soul singer, Jimmy Helms pulled out of a gig at Shoreditch College, the members of the social committee asked famous local, Elton John if he would perform. Elton agreed and did the gig for two bottles of wine!
2016: Guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore performed rock songs by his previous groups, Rainbow & Deep Purple for the first time in 19 years, at Monsters of Rock Festival, in Loreley, Germany.
2021: Death of artist / director / animator / author / songwriter / musician, Michael “Fane” Flaws of Blerta / Spats / The Crocodiles / The Bend / No Engine & many more projects [aged 70].

Happy 80th Birthday to Chris Spedding ~ a somewhat unheralded musician, who has been involved and given so much to the British music scene. Apart from the huge cross-section of famous musicians he has played with in the studio and live, Chris also produced the first demos by The Sex Pistols. Chris has reluctantly admitted he was one of The Wombles too, donning a furry costume to play his trademark Flying V Gibson. He also played most of the guitar parts on Jeff Wayne’s fantastic rock musical, ‘The War of the Worlds’. Check out his cool guitar sounds in this epic piece…