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Today in rock history: On this date in 2016, the most current edition of the Guinness World Book of Records featured an astounding Beatles-related item. It’s reported that the highest dollar amount ever paid for a single record went to an extremely rare Fab Four collectible that actually belonged to the band’s drummer, Ringo Starr, himself. As the first pressing of the band’s self-titled 1968 two-LP set (often referred to as the “White Album”) was numbered, Starr was the owner of the very first copy ever pressed, as evidenced by the number 0000001 imprinted on its front cover. The record had been kept in storage for more than three decades and was considered to be in perfect condition when it surfaced at a Los Angeles auction house in 2015. This highly sought-after first-ever copy of the classic album fetched several bids and, in the end, sold for the whopping amount of $790,000 making it, by far, the most expensive album to ever be sold at an auction.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1992, Great Britain’s annual Reading Festival staged the most memorable and notorious festival of its existence. The final day of the three-day festival was headlined by Nirvana, which had already skyrocketed to international fame via its second album, the trailblazing success Nevermind. The band’s appearance wound up being the band’s last-ever performance in England as lead singer Kurt Cobain would die within a few short years of this appearance. But the real controversy came when one of the day’s support acts, all-female punk rock band L7, made jaws drop and elicited gasps of shock and horror throughout the audience. The band wasn’t going over particularly well during its set and was being berated by the audience, but co-lead singer Donita Sparks wasn’t going to take that kind of treatment lightly. Mud was hurled at the band as a result of the unruly crowd’s displeasure at the technical difficulties the band was experiencing onstage. During the group’s performance, and while she had a guitar strapped on her, Sparks went behind one of the stage amplifiers and removed her tampon. Holding it up and flinging it around, Donita baited the crowd by screaming “Eat my used tampon, fuckers!” before throwing it into the swarming crowd. The band made headlines instantly and gained a reputation overnight for what was referred to as a vile, disgusting act. The performance is still referenced in the British press from time to time, even to this day; this was certainly a performance those in attendance will probably never forget.
YO, YOKO
John Lennon's security blanket: Creative Loafing interviews Yoko Ono
Today in rock history: On this date in 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono played Madison Square Garden to raise money for the “One to One” charity which was created to benefit disabled children. Stevie Wonder, Sha Na Na, Roberta Flack and Melanie also appeared on the bill for the event, which included a daytime matinee show as well as a performance later the same evening. Lennon personally bought $60,000 worth of tickets which were given to volunteer fundraisers to attend the show. Several of the performances from these shows were later included on Lennon’s “Live in New York City” album which was released in 1986.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1963, world renowned writer, producer, remixer and DJ Paul Oakenfold was born in London, England. Often credited with being the most famous and recognizable trance DJ, Oakenfold has expanded his musical palette throughout the years. Besides creating his own record label and releasing several albums of his own, he’s also scored films, appeared as an actor in films and has become known as one of the most sought-after remixers. Paul Oakenfold’s resume includes dance remixes he’s created for artists like U2, Madonna, The Cure, New Order and the Rolling Stones among dozens of others. A three-time Grammy Award-winner, Oakenfold was also named the world’s best DJ two years in a row at the end of the 1990s.
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