On this day in 1965, Keith Richards procures a Gibson fuzzbox guitar effect in Clearwater, Florida. In his hotel room later that evening, Richards and Mick Jagger come up with the guitar lick to "Satisfaction".
In 1973, Paul Simon plays the first date of his first large-scale tour without Art Garfunkel, covering the US and Europe. Many of the dates from this tour would be recorded for what would eventually become the "Live Rhymin'" album.On this date in 1984, Spinal Tap play CBGB's to a standing-room-only crowd.
In 2002, Otis Blackwell, writer of such classics as "Don't Be Cruel", "All Shook Up", "Fever", and "Great Balls Of Fire" (to name just a few) dies of a heart attack. In an interview on "Late Night With David Letterman" years earlier, Blackwell admitted that he'd never met Elvis Presley, with whom he shares writing credit on "Don't Be Cruel".
On this date in 2006, Go-Betweens singer Grant McLennan dies in his sleep of a heart attack. He'd been preparing for a party to celebrate his recent engagement, but complained of not feeling well and retired to take a nap. He was found dead a few hours later. His funeral was attended by over 1,000 people, including many Australian rock luminaries.
BORN ON THIS DAY
Bob Seger, 1945
John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, 1960
Chris Shiflett, guitarist for Foo Fighters, 1971