April 6 has been a significant day in rock history, filled with important events for fans and bands alike. Queen, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd are just a few of the rock legends that marked milestones on this day. Let’s take a look at some of the key happenings.
In 1968, the soundtrack for the movie *The Graduate*, featuring Simon & Garfunkel, hit No. 1 on the US Billboard 200. It stayed there for seven weeks and sold over 2 million copies, thanks to hits like “The Sound of Silence” and “Mrs. Robinson.” That same year, Pink Floyd announced that their founder, Syd Barrett, had left the band due to mental health issues, with David Gilmour stepping in as the new lead guitarist.
Queen made a big move in 1973 by signing their first major recording contract with EMI Records. This led to the release of their self-titled debut album just two months later. In 1971, The Rolling Stones launched their own label, Rolling Stones Records, gaining control over their music and introducing their iconic lips and tongue logo.
In 1987, Roger Waters claimed he was the main creative force in Pink Floyd and threatened legal action against his former bandmates if they continued using the band’s name. The matter was eventually settled out of court.
Notable recordings also took place on this day. In 1965, The Beach Boys recorded the backing track for “California Girls.” The Beatles began working on their groundbreaking album *Revolver* in 1966. The California Jam festival drew around 250,000 fans in 1974, featuring performances from Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and more. Finally, in 2000, an all-star tribute to Joni Mitchell took place in New York City, with performances by Elton John, James Taylor, and Bryan Adams.
