Today in rock history: on this date in 1973, Raw Power, the third album by legendary Michigan rock band The Stooges was released. Credited to Iggy and the Stooges, the album was released by Columbia Records in the hopes of bringing the band some well-deserved attention and generate record sales. It was a hope that, sadly, didn't really materialize. Album sales were lukewarm but nonetheless, the record is highly regarded as being one of the integral stepping stones of the creation of punk rock. Co-produced by David Bowie and lead singer Iggy Pop, the album features raucous classics like "Search and Destroy" and the title track, which both rank among the greatest and most powerful rock and roll songs to emerge from this integral and essential band.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1964, the Beatles landed on American soil for the very first time. As Beatlemania was already breaking out all over the country, the band boarded a plane in London and landed at New York City's JFK Airport where the Beatles were scheduled to hold a press conference upon landing. Word got out regarding the band's arrival time, and the airport was instantly swarmed with thousands of screaming teenagers ready to greet the Fab Four. The band spoke to the press from inside the Pan Am Airlines lounge in the airport, and reporters got wind of the good nature and the sense of humor the four band members possessed. The band would make its debut on the weekly variety program The Ed Sullivan Show two days later, an event that would be seen by millions and inspire many to take up playing music as their chosen career path.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1979, renowned British punk band The Clash played its very first concert in America. The band appeared at Community Theater in Berkeley, California just outside of San Francisco. The band was supported by rock legend Bo Diddley (who it hand-picked to appear on the bill) and local new wave band Pearl Harbor & The Explosions. The band played a short, but razor sharp set, and gave Americans their first taste of the dynamic and exciting live performances the band had become known for in its native England.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1980, Pink Floyd began its elaborate concert tour in support of its landmark album, The Wall. The tour opened at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California where multiple shows took place at the same venue. The limited tour than moved to Uniondale, New York where it also began a short residency. The production that saw a wall being erected during the first set and then being torn down during the second set took a lot of preparation and planning and therefore was not taken to more cities and locations as more conventional rock tours are. A short stint in Europe (in England and Germany only) capped off this massive undertaking that saw the legendary band performing its milestone 2-LP set in its entirety. Read our view of Roger Waters' latest Tampa stop by clicking here.
