Dec. 17 has seen some major moments in rock history over the years. From Bob Dylan’s first trip to the U.K. to the rise of the MP3, this day has been packed with excitement. Let’s take a look at some highlights in rock ‘n’ roll history.
Cultural Milestones:
Some key events happened on Dec. 17:
1949: Paul Rodgers was born in Middlesbrough, England. He led several successful bands, including Free, Queen, and Bad Company, and was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
1962: Bob Dylan arrived in the U.K. for the first time after being invited by the BBC to act in a play. He played his first gig in Britain the next day at London’s Troubadour Club.
1963: A DJ at Washington, D.C.’s WWDC was the first to play a Beatles record on American radio. His girlfriend, a flight attendant, brought him the “I Want To Hold Your Hand” single from the U.K.
Notable Recordings and Performances:
Here are some memorable releases and shows from this day:
1968: The Who held their Christmas party at the Marquee Club in London, featuring a then-unknown band called Yes.
1971: David Bowie released his fourth album, Hunky Dory, through RCA Records. This album was more melodic and went on to sell nearly four million copies worldwide.
Industry Changes:
Dec. 17 has also seen events that changed the music industry:
1991: Gilbert O’Sullivan won a lawsuit against rapper Biz Markie for using a sample of his song without permission. This case set a precedent for requiring permission for all samples.
1997: The launch of MP3.com allowed unknown artists to share music. While it started well, it led to widespread illegal sharing, disrupting the music industry.
With highlights from The Who, David Bowie, and The Beatles, Dec. 17 is a significant day in rock history. Check back tomorrow for more important events in rock history!
