The late ‘Doc’ Green (The Drifters – ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’) was born in 1934

The late Johnny Ramone (born John Cummings – guitarist with The Ramones – ‘Rock And Roll High School’) was born in 1948

Robert ‘Kool’ Bell (bass guitar with Kool & The Gang (‘Celebration’) is 64

Hamish Stuart (guitarist with Average White Band – ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ and a member of Paul McCartney’s band from 1989-1993) is 65

Tony Wilson (bass guitar with Hot Chocolate – ‘Emma’) is 67

Ray Royer (original guitarist with Procol Harum – ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’) is 69

George Bellamy (rhythm guitar with the Tornadoes – ‘Telstar’) is 74

Fred Cash (harmony vocalist with The Impressions – ‘Gypsy Woman’) is 74

Jerry Lee Lewis recorded ‘Great Balls Of Fire’ at Sun Studio in Memphis—1957

Little Richard began a gospel tour of England which slowly but surely marked his return to rock & roll—1962

Ringo Starr passed his driving test (after failing three times)—1964

The Beatles recorded ‘She’s A Woman’—1964

Cream drummer Ginger Baker collapsed during a gig at Sussex University, England after playing a 20-minute drum solo on ‘Toad’—1966

Cass Elliot collapsed on the opening night of her solo Caesar’s Palace engagement in Las Vegas—1968

The Beatles recorded ‘I’m So Tired’ and ‘The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill’ which featured the first – and only – female lead vocal on a Beatles recording. Yoko Ono’s appearance on the song reflected her increasing studio presence at the time (as well as her shaky grasp of melody)—1968

The Byrds recorded ‘Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man’—1968

The Kinks released ‘Arthur of The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire’—1969
Rock Factoid: The album marked the debut of John Dalton, who had replaced Pete Quaife on bass guitar after Quaife decided he had put up with enough of the bickering between band members Ray and Dave Davies.
Rock Factoid #2: “One of the most effective concept albums in rock history, as well as one of the best and most influential British pop records of its era.” … Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Allmusic

John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ album was released in England—1971

Billy Joel released ‘The Stranger’—1977

Chuck Berry’s documentary film (Hail! Hail Rock & Roll) premiered in New York City—1987

ZZ Top announced they had booked seats on the first passenger flight to the Moon. They’re still waiting—1987

Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ finally left Billboard’s Hot 200 Album Chart after a record breaking 741 weeks—1988

B.J. Wilson (drummer with Procol Harum – ‘Conquistador’ and Joe Cocker – ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’) died (after a long illness)—1990

The U.S. Postal Service announced the commemorative stamp booklet that would include Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Clyde McPhatter, Dinah Washington and Otis Redding—1992

Bradley ‘Gidget Stein’ Stewart (bass guitar with Marilyn Manson – ‘Misery Machine’) died (heroin overdose)—2008

Roger Williams (pianist – ‘Autumn Leaves’) died (pancreatic cancer)—2011>

David Hess (songwriter – ‘Speedy Gonzalez’ and ‘I Got Stung’) died (heart attack)—2011

Mikey Welsh (bass guitar with Weezer – ‘Island In The Sun’) died (overdose)—2011

Phil Chevron (guitarist with The Pogues – ‘Thousands Are Sailing’) died (cancer)—2013

Larry Verne (‘Mr. Custer’) died (heart failure and Alzheimer’s disease)—2013

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