Test your knowledge and see how much you know about rock music! Discover the hit songs, milestones, performances, and challenges that shaped the music you love on April 30. Here are some key moments in rock history.
1960: The Everly Brothers scored a No. 1 hit in the UK with “Cathy’s Clown,” which stayed at the top for seven weeks. It became their best-selling single, with 8 million copies sold worldwide, and was Warner Bros. Records’ first chart-topper.
1966: The Rolling Stones released their album *Aftermath*, which hit No. 1 in the UK. This was their first album with entirely original songs and was a turning point for both the band and the rock genre.
1983: Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” topped the Billboard Hot 100, knocking “Come On Eileen” out of the top spot. The song held the No. 1 position for three weeks and is one of the best-selling songs ever, with over 10 million copies sold.
In the rock community, several significant events took place on April 30. In 1991, Nirvana signed a major deal with DGC Records, leading to their groundbreaking album *Nevermind*. In 2006, Madonna made her festival debut at Coachella, performing for one of the largest crowds in the event’s history. In 2008, John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to “Give Peace a Chance” were set to be auctioned by Christie’s.
Notable performances also happened on this day. In 1957, Elvis Presley began recording “Jailhouse Rock,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. In 1977, Led Zeppelin set a world record with a concert attended by 76,229 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan.
On the darker side, in 1970, Twiggs Lyndon, the tour manager for the Allman Brothers, was arrested for murder but was acquitted due to temporary insanity. These events show how rock music has evolved and faced challenges over the years.
