Rebellious and full of emotion, rock ‘n’ roll has given us many unforgettable moments. From classic songs to major cultural shifts, rock music tells a powerful story. Here are some highlights from June 14 in rock history.
1970: Grand Funk Railroad put up a huge billboard in Times Square to promote their album *Closer to Home*. They spent $100,000, and it paid off when the album hit No. 6 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
1980: Billy Joel’s seventh album, *Glass Houses*, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed there for six weeks. This album features “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” which became his first single to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Several key events also took place on June 14.
1963: Chris DeGarmo, guitarist and main songwriter for Queensryche, was born in Wenatchee, Washington. He played a big role in the band’s success, helping them sell over 20 million albums before retiring to become a business jet pilot.
1967: The first Monterey International Pop Festival kicked off in Monterey, California, featuring legends like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. This festival is considered the first commercial American rock festival and was a key moment in the Summer of Love.
1986: U2’s song “Pride (In the Name of Love)” peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a staple in their live shows.
1995: Legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher passed away at 47 after a liver transplant. Many famous guitarists, like Slash and Brian May, have cited him as an influence.
June 14 has also seen memorable recordings.
1965: The Beatles recorded “Yesterday,” one of their most famous songs, along with “I’ve Just Seen a Face.”
1967: The Monkees recorded “Daydream Believer,” which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in December.
