July 26 is a significant day in rock history, marked by key events from legendary bands like The Rolling Stones, The Clash, and Led Zeppelin. Here’s a look at some memorable moments from this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Many iconic rock bands reached important milestones on July 26:
– 1968: The Jackson 5 signed a Motown contract, launching their journey to global fame.
– 1973: ZZ Top released their third album, *Tres Hombres*, featuring the hit “La Grange,” which became one of their biggest songs.
– 1975: The Eagles’ fourth album, *One of These Nights*, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed there for five weeks.
– 1979: The Clash released their self-titled album in the U.S., two years after its U.K. debut, with a different track listing.
– 1980: The Rolling Stones’ album *Emotional Rescue* entered the top 10 of the Billboard 200, and its title track spent 19 weeks on the Hot 100.
Cultural Milestones
This day also marks the birthdays of two rock legends:
– 1943: Mick Jagger, co-founder and lead singer of The Rolling Stones, was born. He became a key songwriter for the band.
– 1949: Roger Taylor, drummer of Queen, was born. He wrote hits like “A Kind of Magic” and “Radio Ga Ga.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
Not all events on July 26 were positive:
– 1977: Led Zeppelin canceled their U.S. tour after the tragic death of Robert Plant’s young son. They have not performed in the U.S. since.
– 2013: Guitarist and songwriter JJ Cale passed away at 74. His songs have been covered by many artists, including Eric Clapton and John Mayer.
From birthdays to heartbreaking moments, July 26 has seen its share of pivotal events in rock history. Stay tuned for more updates on the music world!
