Today in rock history: On this date in 1988, an unusual music-related copyright infringement court case began. John Fogerty — the former lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter for legendary American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival — was sued for allegedly plagiarizing himself. Saul Zaentz, the head of CCR’s former record label, Fantasy Records, owned all of the band’s publishing rights for all of its hit singles and albums. Fogerty’s 1985 solo album, the platinum-selling Centerfield, featured a single entitled “The Old Man Down the Road,” which featured the familiar CCR swamp-rock vibe. Zaentz felt that the song was nothing more than a rewrite of Creedence’s 1970 single, “Run Through The Jungle” and therefore, sued the artist for sounding too much like one of his previous hit songs. The case went to federal court and, at one point during the trial, Fogerty himself took the witness stand with guitar in hand to play both songs and point out their differences. It took a jury only two hours to deliberate in Fogerty’s favor and decide that the two songs were not completely identical.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1975, British art rock band Roxy Music released its fifth album, Siren. Critically acclaimed, the record was a huge hit in the band’s native England and fared well in the U.S. as well. Siren contained one of the band’s most infectious and well-known singles, “Love is the Drug” which was the band’s first charting single in America, peaking at No. 30. Pictured on the album’s front cover is model Jerry Hall who was dating Roxy Music lead singer at the time. Another single from this fine album, the rocking “Both Ends Burning” was a regularly performed song at Roxy Music concerts on tours supporting the album, which is still favorite of the band’s still loyal fan base.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1970, English progressive rock giant Pink Floyd scored the very first No. 1 album of its highly successful tenure. The band’s fifth album, Atom Heart Mother, although harshly criticized by rock journalists, became the first in a long line of chart-toppers the group would enjoy throughout the years. The album also marked the very first of the band’s releases to forgo words, text, or photos of the band’s four members on the album cover. Designed by Hipgnosis — a British design group that would create album covers for other acts like Led Zeppelin, 10cc and Bad Company to name a few — the striking image of a lone cow on the cover was intriguing, eye-catching and started the trend of artistic, engaging artwork the band would use for future titles. A Top 10 success throughout many European countries, the album climbed only as high as the Top 50 in America (although it would eventually achieve platinum status in the U.S.). Featuring only one single, “Summer ’68,” Atom Heart Mother is an album that the band’s chief songwriters — David Gilmour and Roger Waters — have expressed distaste for over the years.

Today in rock history: On this date in 2005, British blues-rock trio Cream played the first of three nights at New York City’s world famous concert arena, Madison Square Garden. The band, made up of drummer Ginger Baker, bassist Jack Bruce and guitar wiz Eric Clapton, hadn’t played together since calling it quits the late 1960s. Members had embarked on their own respective solo careers and projects over the years, but had another go together following Cream's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. The chemistry and the essence of Cream was evident when the group performed a three-song set at the hall of fame inductions, and the performance led the band to temporarily reform. Following a successful run of shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier in the year, the three –night stand at the Garden instantly sold out and became one of the hottest tickets of 2005.