On this day in rock history, The Rolling Stones made their debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, and Led Zeppelin performed for the first time under their iconic name. Here are some key moments from October 25 over the years.
In 1964, The Rolling Stones arrived in New York City for their second North American tour and took the stage on The Ed Sullivan Show. They played “Around And Around” and “Time Is On My Side,” marking a big step in their U.S. career.
In 1968, Led Zeppelin performed for the first time at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England. This show came after their Scandinavian tour, where they were known as “The New Yardbirds.” The name Led Zeppelin was inspired by The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon, who joked that the band would go down like a lead balloon.
October 25 also saw some important birthdays. In 1944, Yes co-founder and singer Jon Anderson was born in Accrington, England. He formed the band in 1968, blending rock, blues, pop, and jazz. In 1947, Glenn Tipton, lead guitarist for Judas Priest, was born in Blackheath, England. He joined the band in 1974 and is one of its longest-serving members.
The day has also hosted memorable performances. In 1996, the first Ozzfest took place in Phoenix, Arizona, founded by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. In 2009, U2 played to a record crowd of 97,014 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, during their U2 360 Tour.
From The Stones making their U.S. debut to Ozzy launching a major metal festival, October 25 is packed with rock history. Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the world of music!
