This Day in Rock History: October 7

This day in rock history features milestones from legendary bands such as KISS and The Rolling Stones. Keep reading to learn more about these events and other notable moments that occurred on Oct. 7 throughout the years in the rock world.

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

Some famous artists and bands got their big break on this day. They include:

• 1979: Joy Division released their debut single, “Transmission,” through Factory Records. It was the first in a series of hit songs that would establish the band as a cult classic among punk rock fans.
• 1995: Alanis Morissette’s third studio album, Jagged Little Pill, reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. It stayed there for 12 weeks and went on to sell over 33 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.
• 2007: Bruce Springsteen’s 15th studio album, Magic, climbed to the top of the UK album chart. It was his seventh UK No. 1 album and spent a single week at the top.

Notable Recordings and Performances

Oct. 7 also witnessed some memorable concerts and recordings throughout the years. Highlights include:

• 1963: The Rolling Stones recorded “I Wanna Be Your Man” at De Lane Lea Studios in London, England. The band’s second single, which they released on Nov. 1 that same year, was actually written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
• 1963: On the same day of the same year, The Beach Boys released their fourth studio album, Little Deuce Coupe, via Capitol Records. It’s considered to be one of the earliest examples of a concept album, peaked at No. 4 on the US charts, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.
• 1964: The Beatles appeared on a taped episode of the American Rock ‘n’ Roll TV show Shindig! They were filmed in London and performed three songs: “I’m a Loser,” “Boys,” and “Kansas City“.
• 2000: The original lineup of KISS played their final show together in North Charleston, South Carolina. The concert was the last stop on the U.S. leg of the band’s The Farewell Tour, after which drummer Peter Criss was replaced by Eric Singer.
• 2016: Desert Trip, a six-day music festival, began at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The event, which spanned two consecutive weekends, was nicknamed “Oldchella,” as it included a star-studded lineup of rock veterans, such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, Neil Young, and The Who.

From iconic debut singles to huge concerts, Oct. 7 has been a significant day for rock fans over the years. Visit us again tomorrow to learn about more memorable moments in rock history.