July 10th is packed with big moments in rock history. Bands like The Rolling Stones, Cream, and Slash all show up in today’s highlights.
Breakthrough hits and milestones
1965: The Rolling Stones hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” It stayed at the top for four weeks and was their first U.S. No. 1.
2007: The Smashing Pumpkins released their seventh album, Zeitgeist, marking their return after a seven-year breakup.
Cultural moments
1942: Ronnie James Dio, who fronted Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
1954: New York radio station WINS hired Alan Freed, who helped popularize the term “rock ’n’ roll.”
1964: The Beatles returned to Liverpool for the northern premiere of A Hard Day’s Night. Roughly 200,000 fans showed up, and they received the keys to the city.
1974: David Bowie began five shows at Philadelphia’s Tower Theater. Recordings became the live album David Live.
1979: Chuck Berry started a four-month prison term for tax evasion.
2009: Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant was made a Commander of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace.
2012: Slash got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Industry shifts
1968: Eric Clapton announced Cream would break up after their current tour.
1972: Harry Nilsson released Son of Schmilsson with help from musicians like Peter Frampton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. It reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200.
1987: Influential producer John Hammond died at 76. He helped launch careers for artists like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.
2000: Coldplay released their debut album, Parachutes, on Parlophone. It became a big success.
