Today in rock history, on this date in 1966. Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention released its debut album, the ambitious double-LP set, Freak Out!. The record was one of the first rock and roll double albums and it holds the distinction of being the first double-record debut album ever released. A mixture of offbeat pop, doo-wop, blues and avant-garde creations, the record sold poorly at the time of its release but has nonetheless earned its well-deserved place in rock history as one of the boldest debut albums of all time. What a worthy introduction of the great Frank Zappa to record buyers across the world.
Today in rock history, on this date in 1981. British heavy metal trio Motörhead scored its only UK no. 1 album with their live record, No Sleep 'til Hammersmith. The album was recorded at a variety of live concert venues across England in early ‘81 but, interestingly enough, the Hammersmith Odeon (the London concert hall the album’s title references) was not included on this particular tour.
Just say Yes: Rick Wakeman talks to CL about Bowie, holy trinities and Jon Anderson
On this date in 2015. Extraordinary Yes bassist Chris Squire passed away after a battle with Leukemia. Squire was widely regarded as one of the absolute best rock and roll bass players and was one of the founding members of the legendary prog rock band. Through all the lineup changes and incarnations the band has endured throughout their long tenure, Squire was the sole Yes member to appear on 21 of the band’s studio albums released from 1969 through 2014. We talked to Yes's Rick Wakeman about Squire, and you can read that interview here.
Today in rock history, on this date in 1970. The Jackson 5 became the first group to ever have its first three singles consecutively hit the no. 1 spot on U.S. sales charts when “The Love You Save” reached the top spot after their two preceding single releases, “I Want You Back” and “ABC” each reached no. 1.
