August 15 is a significant day in rock history. It marks the opening of one of the most famous festivals ever, but it wasn’t the most attended event on this date. Here’s a look at some key rock moments that happened on August 15 over the years.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several albums hit big on August 15:
1969: Three Dog Night’s self-titled album earned Gold certification from the RIAA.
1997: Ozzy Osbourne & Randy Rhoads Tribute went 2x Platinum, and Ozzy’s album No Rest For The Wicked also reached 2x Platinum.
2017: Jay-Z and Linkin Park’s Collision Course was certified 2x Platinum.
Notable Recordings and Performances
August 15 is also known for legendary performances:
1965: The Beatles played at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York, in front of nearly 56,000 fans, setting a record for concert attendance at the time.
1969: The Woodstock Music and Art Festival kicked off in Bethel, New York. Over four days, artists like Santana, Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, The Who, and Jimi Hendrix made history.
1991: Paul Simon held a free concert in Central Park, drawing an estimated 750,000 people, even with it being broadcast live.
1991: During a show in Los Angeles, Nirvana invited fans to join the filming of their first music video, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
August 15 is a day filled with unforgettable rock moments, from Woodstock to iconic performances by The Beatles and Paul Simon.
