June 24 may not be the first date that pops into your head when you think of rock history, but it’s full of important moments, major releases, and unforgettable performances. Artists like Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have made this day special, impacting many lives along the way.
1965: The Hollies scored their first No. 1 single in the UK with “I’m Alive.” It topped the charts for three weeks and was one of their two UK No. 1s, the other being a 1988 re-release of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”
1967: Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 83 and eventually peaked at No. 5, becoming one of the most covered songs in music history.
1980: Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Coming Up (Live At Glasgow)” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after spending nine weeks at No. 2.
1999: The Red Hot Chili Peppers released their multi-Platinum album Californication, featuring hits like “Around the World” and “Scar Tissue.”
2000: Kid Rock’s album The History of Rock dropped to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 but stayed in the top 10 for six weeks.
2007: The White Stripes released their final studio album, Icky Thump, which debuted at No. 1 in the UK and peaked at No. 2 in the US.
Culturally, June 24 has also seen some memorable moments. 1944: Guitar legend Jeff Beck was born. 1947: Mick Fleetwood, drummer of Fleetwood Mac, was born. 1999: Eric Clapton auctioned 100 guitars to support his foundation. 2000: KISS sold memorabilia at an auction. 2005: Lou Reed left his handprint on Hollywood’s RockWalk, celebrating his legendary status.
