Today in Rock History – 25th MARCH:

BIRTHDAYS
1938: Hoyt Axton
1942: Aretha Franklin
1942: Richard Smith a.k.a. Richard O’Brien (Rocky Horror Picture Show)
1947: Reginald Dwight a.k.a. Elton John
1949: Nick Lowe (Rockpile)
1954: Nathan Watts (Motown / Miles Davis Group)
1966: Jeff Healey
1971: Michael McKeegan (Therapy)
1974: Finley Quaye

EVENTS
1964: The Beatles made their debut on UK TV show ‘Top of the Pops’.
1967: The Who made their U.S. concert debut at RKO 58th Street Theatre, New York City.
1969: John & Yoko started their week long “bed-in” at The Amsterdam Hilton hotel.
1970: Jimi Hendrix released the ‘Band of Gypsys’ album, featuring his new band with bassist, Billy Cox and drummer, Buddy Miles. The live LP was recorded on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day, 1970.
1975: Aerosmith began their 63-date North American ‘Toys in the Attic’ tour in Fort Wayne.
1986: Guns N’ Roses signed a world-wide deal with Geffen Records.
1995: Pearl Jam played a concert at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland ~ I was there! Earlier in the day, Eddie Vedder had been rescued by a lifeguard, while surfing at Piha beach. Tim and Neil Finn joined Pearl Jam on stage for the encore of two Split Enz songs, “History Never Repeats” & “I Got You”.
1997: Death of keyboardist / singer, Kenny Moore [aged 45]. Kenny was also musical director for Tina Turner, whom he performed with for many years.
2006: Death of country singer / guitarist, Alvis “Buck” Owens Jr. [aged 76].
2017: Don Henley & his 15-piece band (with Jewel as support act) played a concert at TSB Stadium, Wellington ~ I was there!
2018: Death of Mike Harrison, lead singer of Spooky Tooth [aged 72].
2019: Death of singer / songwriter / producer, Scott Walker [aged 76].
2022: Death of drummer / singer / songwriter, Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters [aged 50].

Happy 77th Birthday to Sir Elton Hercules John! Named at birth as Reginald Dwight, the singer / songwriter / pianist has released over 30 albums since 1969 and sold in excess of 300 million records worldwide! My two favourites are ‘Madman Across the Water‘ & ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road‘.