August 13 has been a significant date in rock history, marked by memorable debuts and milestones. Let’s take a look at some of the standout moments from this day.
1952: Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton recorded the original version of “Hound Dog,” written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. This song became a worldwide hit when Elvis Presley covered it in 1956.
1965: The Beatles released their album, Help!, in the U.S. through Capitol Records. This was their fifth record and helped shift them from a teenage pop group to a more experimental rock band.
1966: “Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It became the band’s most famous song and has been covered by artists like B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, and Joe Cocker.
Notable performances also took place on August 13:
1965: Jefferson Airplane played their first show at the Matrix club in San Francisco. They became pioneers of psychedelic rock with hits like “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.”
1967: Fleetwood Mac made their live debut at the Windsor Jazz & Blues Festival. The band name came from drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie, created by legendary guitarist Peter Green.
1982: Don Henley, the drummer and singer of The Eagles, released his debut solo album, “I Can’t Stand Still,” through Asylum Records. It featured the hit single “Dirty Laundry” and peaked at No. 24 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
These events on August 13 have shaped rock music and inspired countless artists and fans. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more iconic performances and milestones!
