Dec. 28 marks the anniversary of some key moments in rock history, featuring bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. However, it’s also a day to remember two influential figures we lost.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Two major milestones happened on Dec. 28 in 1968. First, The Beatles released their self-titled ninth studio album, known as The White Album. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed there for nine weeks. It also topped the charts in the U.K., making it a huge success for a double album. On the same day, Led Zeppelin played their first-ever show in Canada at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum. Their North American tour in 1968-1969 helped boost their popularity in both the U.S. and Canada.
Cultural Milestones
Dec. 28 is also a day of remembrance. In 1983, Dennis Wilson, the singer and drummer of The Beach Boys, passed away at just 39 due to accidental drowning. Ironically, he was the only member of the band who surfed. In 2015, Lemmy Kilmister, the founder and frontman of Motörhead, died at 70 from prostate cancer. He gained fame with Hawkwind in the early ’70s before starting Motörhead in 1975.
Notable Recordings and Performances
On this day, we celebrate some iconic music moments. In 1965, The Zombies released the hit single “Tell Her No,” which helped establish them in the U.S. In 1968, the Miami Pop Festival kicked off at Gulfstream Park in Florida, featuring performances by Chuck Berry, Canned Heat, Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, and Joni Mitchell.
These are the highlights from rock history on Dec. 28. Check back tomorrow for more music news!
