Today in rock history: on this date in rock history, two radically different albums were released by The Beatles at the two opposite ends of the band's magnificent run as 1963 saw the release of the band’s second full-length release in the U.K., the hit-packed With The Beatles and five years later in 1968, the 2-LP self-titled masterwork (more commonly referred to by its unofficial title, “The White Album”) hit record store shelves. The two releases captured two almost entirely different bands but, nonetheless, both were incredible successes for the Fab Four. With The Beatles, with its solemn, striking black and white portrait of the band adorning its front cover featured a mixture of original tunes and some pretty impressive covers as well. The Lennon/McCartney classics “All My Loving” and “It Won’t Be Long” appeared on this fantastic album amidst the band’s readings of Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven,” Smokey Robinson’s “You Really Got A Hold On Me” as well as a killer version of “Money (That’s What I Want)” which had been a hit for Barrett Strong in 1959. As Beatlemania was kicking into high gear in the U.K. at the time of the album’s release, it’s no surprise that the record shot straight up to No. 1 on British sales charts.

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A different looking and sounding Beatles unleashed arguably its most experimental, most forthright and most ambitious album of its existence in 1968. The Beatles, packaged in a stark, blinding pure white sleeve showed just how far the legendary band had come in such a short period of time. Despite the fact that no singles were released from the 2-LP set, the record was still (and remains) an incredibly important piece of the Beatles story. Ranging in styles and genres, the album found the band delving into hard rock on “Helter Skelter,” experimenting with country and folk with “Rocky Raccoon” and with psychedelia of “Dear Prudence,” the record is the boldest and most varied statement the band ever made on vinyl and remains a beloved source of amazement and inspiration.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1997, one of the most charismatic and magnetic rock and roll front men of all time passed away. Michael Hutchence, the mesmerizing lead singer of world famous Australian rock and roll band INXS passed away on this date 20 years ago today leaving a massive void in the hearts of the band’s millions of fans around the globe. While much has been speculated about the details surrounding Hutchence’s death, the sad reality of his loss is that one of the most compelling and fascinating lead singers and rock and roll focal points would no longer be around to dazzle and entertain and fully enthrall audiences like this gifted singer did for so long. Leaving behind a dynamic body of work and racking up millions of album sales around the globe, the music world still mourns the loss of this amazing performer and artist.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1963, what’s probably the greatest rock and roll Christmas album of all time, A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector, was released. Collecting the talents of the singers and artists with whom Spector worked with at the time, this superb collection compiles the voices of greats like Darlene Love and The Ronettes, featuring then-wife of Phil Spector, Ronnie Spector. The record performed poorly upon its release and garnered very little interest. However, over the years, and via various reissues and re-releases (including one in the early 1970’s on Beatles-run record label, Apple Records), the album has achieved classic status and is still one of the most sought after holiday albums. Original pressings of the record in good condition still fetch several hundred dollars and the music on this fantastic record still sounds fresh and spirited. The album’s most famous track is undoubtedly Darlene Love’s powerhouse rendition of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," a song she performed annually in later years as a tradition on David Letterman’s nightly late night talk show, Late Show with David Letterman.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1977, one of the strongest and most influential bands to emerge from the late 1970s disco era released its debut album. Chic was the first outing for the stylish, sleek outfit featuring chief songwriters and ace musicians Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Basing its stylistic approach to album covers, clothing and style on the indelible mark British art-rock band Roxy Music left on them, Chic was by far the classiest and the most fashionable of all the disco acts. Bernard’s thumping, throbbing bass lines were the funkiest of the day and Nile’s distinctive guitar work helped create an identity and a sound that would become synonymous with the work of this amazing band. The debut album charted well on pop and R&B charts and produced two massive disco dancefloor classics: “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" and “Everybody Dance,” both which reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s dance club play charts.