December 4 is an important day in rock history, linked to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. It also marks the anniversary of Roy Orbison’s final performance. Here’s a look at some key events that happened on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
1971: Led Zeppelin’s fourth album, Led Zeppelin IV, hit No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart, where it stayed for two weeks. The album was released on November 8 and features the legendary song “Stairway to Heaven.”
1988: Roy Orbison played his last concert at the Front Row Theater in Highland Heights, Ohio. Tragically, he passed away just two days later from a heart attack.
Notable Recordings and Performances
December 4 has seen significant album releases and memorable performances.
1964: The Beatles released their fourth studio album, Beatles for Sale, in the U.K. It spent 46 weeks on the U.K. albums chart, including seven weeks at No. 1.
1971: Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention performed at the Montreux Casino in Switzerland. During the show, a fire broke out after a fan fired a flare gun. This inspired Deep Purple to write “Smoke on the Water.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
December 4 also marks the loss of rock legends.
1980: After the death of drummer John Bonham, Led Zeppelin announced they would disband. They canceled their North American tour and never toured again.
1993: Frank Zappa passed away at 52 after battling prostate cancer. His family announced his death, saying he left for his final tour.
December 4 is a bittersweet day for rock music, filled with iconic moments and significant losses. Stay tuned for more music history tomorrow!
