Today in rock history 23rd May

Saturday May 23rd

1934 – Robert Moog, inventor of the synthesiser, is born

1946 – Born on this day, Daniel Klein, bass, J Geils Band,

1947 – Born on this day, Bill Hunt, Electric Light Orchestra,

1963 – The Beatles, touring with Roy Orbison, performed at the Odeon Cinema, Nottingham, England.

1967 – Pink Floyd went into the studio and recorded ‘See Emily Play’, the group’s second single and written by original frontman Syd Barrett.

1970 – Paul McCartney’s debut solo album, ‘McCartney’, started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.

1970 – The Beatles album ‘Let It Be’ started a three week run at No.1 on the UK chart,

1970 – The Grateful Dead gives its first performance outside the U.S., a four-hour set at the Hollywood Rock Festival in the U.K.

1971 – Iron Butterfly breaks up.

1973 – Jefferson Airplane were prevented from giving a free concert in Golden Gate Park when San Francisco authorities passed a resolution banning electronic instruments. The group later wrote ‘We Built this City’ about the ban.

1974 – George Harrison announced the launch of his own record label, ‘Dark Horse

1975 – Led Zeppelin started a three night run at Earl’s Court, London, England. Tickets cost £1 ($1.70) – £2.50 ($4.25).

1978 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their 117 show Darkness Tour at Shea’s Buffalo in Buffalo, New York.

1979 – Tom Petty files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing is partly the result of a dispute with Petty’s record label, which had been purchased by MCA.

1980 – Saxon and Tygers Of Pan Tang kicked off a 22-date UK tour at Bristol Coliston Hall. Tickets, £2.00-£3.00.

1987 – The Beastie Boys and Run DMC opened their UK tour in London.

1991 – photographer Michael Lavine took what would be the publicity shots for Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ album at Jay Aaron Studios in Los Angeles.

1992 – a statement issued by Freddie Mercury’s attorneys stated that Mercury had bequeathed the majority of his estate (£10 million/$17 million) to his long-time friend Mary Austin.

2000 – “Binaural,” Pearl Jam’s long-awaited sixth studio album hits U.S. store shelves.

2000 – Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins announces that the Seattle-based rock group will officially break up at year’s end.

2010 – The Rolling Stones re-release, “Exile On Main Street”,