July 28 is a big date in rock history with several memorable moments.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
1957: Jerry Lee Lewis made his TV debut on The Steve Allen Show. He played “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” and it boosted his career.
1960: Roy Orbison hit the U.K. charts with “Only the Lonely,” which reached No. 1. He and Joe Melson had tried to sell the song before Orbison recorded it himself.
1979: The Boomtown Rats scored their second U.K. No. 1 with “I Don’t Like Mondays.”
2014: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their album Hypnotic Eye in the U.K. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. a day later — the band’s first chart-topper.
Cultural Milestones
1943: Richard Wright of Pink Floyd was born. His keyboards shaped the band’s sound.
1949: Simon Kirke, drummer for Free and Bad Company, was born in Lambeth, London.
1954: Elvis Presley gave his first press interview in the Memphis Press-Scimitar while working as a truck driver.
1979: Joe Perry left Aerosmith temporarily during the Night in the Ruts sessions amid tensions and substance issues. He returned in 1984.
2021: Dusty Hill of ZZ Top died in his sleep at home in Houston while resting from touring.
Notable Recordings and Performances
1973: Several live shows and recordings from classic rock acts added to their legends on this date. These moments show how July 28 has mattered across rock’s history.
