On this day in rock history, Elvis ruled the charts, The Rolling Stones started filming their Rock and Roll Circus, and John Lennon launched his solo career. Here are some key events that happened on December 11 over the years.
In 1961, the soundtrack for Elvis Presley’s movie *Blue Hawaii* hit No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart, where it stayed for 20 weeks. This was his seventh No. 1 album, and it remained in the top 10 for another 19 weeks.
In 1968, The Rolling Stones began filming *The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus*. The film featured performances from artists like Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, John Lennon, and The Who, but it wasn’t released until years later because the band felt their performance wasn’t good enough.
December 11 also marks important cultural moments. In 1958, Nikki Sixx, the bassist for Mötley Crüe, was born in San Jose, California. He co-founded the band in 1981 and has been its constant member ever since. Sadly, in 1964, soul legend Sam Cooke passed away at just 33. He was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice.
Two significant debuts happened on this day as well. In 1970, John Lennon released his first solo album, *John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band*, under Apple Records. It received mixed reviews initially but gained appreciation over time. In 1972, Genesis played their first show in the U.S. at Cholmondeley’s Coffeehouse in Massachusetts, warming up for a performance in New York City.
With milestones from Elvis, John Lennon, and Genesis, December 11 is a notable day in rock history. Check back tomorrow for more music news!
