Today in rock history: on this date in 1986, two independent filmmakers decided to take their cameras to the scene of a parking lot before a concert by heavy metal giants, Judas Priest. Filmed in Landover, Maryland outside the Capital Centre arena where Priest was appearing with hard rock band Dokken serving as openers, the now notorious and heavily quoted 17-minute film, Heavy Metal Parking Lot was created. Consisting of random interviews with eager male and female fans who are already enjoying the event before the concert has begun, the film is full of young women with heavily hair sprayed 80s coifs and dudes with an array of mullets singing the praises of metal music, beer and Judas Priest. The short, low budget film became a cultural phenomenon and an underground cult classic. In 2006, on the film's 20th anniversary, a deluxe version was issued on DVD with over two hours of bonus footage that didn't make it into the original, edited hilarious time capsule documentary.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1979, British ensemble Electric Light Orchestra released its eighth album, Discovery. Although the band, led by singer and songwriter Jeff Lynne, had previously relied more on melodic pop and rock and roll, Discovery found ELO leaning in more of a contemporary, disco-influenced sound. The musical shift paid off as the album became the band's very first to reach the No. 1 spot on British sales charts. Several singles emerged from the album including the radio hits "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Shine a Little Love." Discovery peaked at No. 5 on American sales charts and went on to sell over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.

TSP V. BBC
Today in rock history; The Sex Pistols get filthy on the BBC, AC/DC releases T.N.T. and more

Today in rock history: on this date in 1977, four days after its release, the British Broadcasting Corporation, more commonly referred to as the BBC, officially banned "God Save the Queen," the legendary and controversial single by punk rock trailblazers, Sex Pistols. Opposed to the single's cover artwork depicting a defaced image of Queen Elizabeth II as well as to the song's vitriolic assault on the queen and the monarchy, the single was denied airplay in all of England in response. The ban, of course, only helped the sales and the popularity of the ferocious punk anthem. The single climbed as high as No. 2 on British sales chart,s but many in the know claimed that the enormous sales the record generated were more than enough to guarantee the No. 1 spot. It's been alleged that the BBC refused to allow the song to claim the chart's top spot as it was viewed as disrespectful and in bad taste. Britain's Independent Broadcasting Authority launched a stern warning to all British radio stations alerting them that playing the single would result in a breach of a British broadcasting act. "God Save the Queen" was prevented from reaching No. 1 as Rod Stewart's ballad "I Don't Want To Talk About It" was firmly hanging on to the top spot at the time.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1989, David Bowie's dynamic side band, Tin Machine, made its live debut when it appeared at a live, televised awards show called the International Music Awards that took place in New York City. The show honored artists like Living Colour which took home an award for the best newcomers on the rock scene. Rolling Stones guitarist and songwriter Keith Richards was also honored with a living legend award. Tin Machine unleashed a fiery version of "Heaven's In Here," the opening cut from its incendiary, self-titled album that had been released just a week before this performance. Featuring ace guitarist Reeves Gabrels and brothers Tony Sales and Hunt Sales on bass and drums, respectively, the band released only two more albums after its debut (one more studio record and one live album). Tin Machine would embark on a short tour two weeks after this debut performance but it was on this program that Bowie's followers and fans got a taste of the exciting, powerful brand of rock and roll the band was capable of churning out.