Today in rock history: On this date in 1968, “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” one of the most popular and well-loved singles by Scottish folk singer Donovan entered the U.S. Billboard pop singles chart. Delving into more psychedelic musical territory, the single was written while the singer was hanging out with The Beatles in India studying Transcendental Meditation®. Incorporating the use of a tanpura, a stringed instrument used in traditional Indian music, Donovan expanded his sound, which helped make him one of the most unique and successful artists of the era. The single climbed all the way to No. 5 in America and No. 4 in England, making it one of Donovan’s most successful singles, and served as the title track of the singer’s sixth album, released in September of 1968.

COME BACK, COLIN
Concert review: Colin Hay at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater (with video)

Today in rock history: On this date in 1953, singer and songwriter Colin Hay was born in Saltcoats, Scotland. Hay became well known as the animated and highly talented lead singer of Australian new wave band Men at Work, which scored a pile of hits in the 1980s. Songs like “Who Can it Be Now?” and “Down Under,” both from the band’s highly successful debut album Business as Usual became international hits and received heavy airplay on MTV. Since the demise of the band, Hay has remained active as a solo artist and regularly tours the world.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1975, Tim Buckley, the famed folk music singer-songwriter who branched out into various styles of music throughout his short career, passed away at the age of 28. At the height of his career, Buckley, the late father of beloved singer Jeff Buckley (who passed away at the age of 30 in 1997), had just performed a sold-out concert in Dallas, Texas. Days later, he met up with a friend who happened to have a bag of heroin. Buckley indulged in the drug and had such a bad reaction to it that it led to his death. He was pronounced dead due to overdose but left behind a catalog of intriguing and influential music.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1981, British new wave singer Kim Wilde released her self-titled, debut album. The daughter of English 1950s rock and roll singer Marty Wilde, Kim’s famous dad and her brother Ricky wrote all the songs on the album, which wound up becoming a hit in the U.K. The record debuted in the top 10 on British sales charts and made it all the way to No. 3. The album featured the singles “Chequered Love,” “Water on Glass” and Kim’s most recognizable song of all, “Kids in America.” The accompanying music video for that single became an MTV staple and introduced the young, attractive singer to an audience in North America, which responded positively and made the song a hit on U.S. shores too. Wilde’s debut album topped charts in several European countries upon its release and was the first of a long string of hit albums Wilde would enjoy throughout the '80s.