December 30, 1968: Led Zeppelin’s First Known Live Recording

Within a year, they’d be big. Within two, they’d be huge. And within three, they’d be the biggest band in the world. But on December 30, 1968, the quartet of British rockers preparing for their fifth-ever gig in the United States were using propane heaters to keep themselves and their equipment warm while they waited to go on as the opening act for Vanilla Fudge at a concert in a frigid college gymnasium in western Washington State. A few serious rock fans in attendance had at least heard about the new band formed around the former guitarist from the now-defunct Yardbirds, but if those fans even knew the name of this new group, they might not have recognized it in the ads that ran in the local newspaper. The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, ran an advertisement on this day in 1968 for a concert at Gonzaga University featuring “The Vanilla Fudge, with Len Zefflin”—a concert of which a bootleg recording would later emerge that represents the first-ever live Led Zeppelin performance captured on tape.


Dec 26, 1966: Jimi Hendrix writes “Purple Haze” After a stint in the U.S. Army and a creatively unfulfilling stretch as a session musician and sideman to acts like Little Richard and The Isley Brothers, 21-year-old Jimi Hendrix moved to New York City in 1964 to set about building a solo career. “Discovered” two years later by the British manager/producer Chas Chandler, a former member of the The Animals, Hendrix moved to England in 1966 and teamed up with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell to form The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The group scored an almost immediate UK hit with “Hey Joe,” which was released in mid-December. It was 10 days later, however, on December 26, 1966, that Hendrix wrote “Purple Haze”—the song that would not only give him his breakthrough hit in the United States, but also go on to define an entire musical era. Hendrix had been fooling around with the guitar riffs that became “Purple Haze” for several months, but it was on the afternoon of this day in 1966, while in a backstage dressing room at the Uppercut Club in London, that he wrote the song’s famous lyrics. And while critics and fans alike rightly hail Jimi Hendrix for having revolutionized the very sound of rock’s most important instrument, his status as arguably the greatest electric guitarist who ever lived sometimes overshadows his talents as a songwriter. “Purple Haze” was a song that instantly grabbed listeners’ attention with its famous opening riff—”a ferocious two-note guitar march scarred with fuzz,” in the words of Rolling Stone—and didn’t let go through a little more than three minutes of tightly constructed instrumental chaos. But its lyrics—“Scuse me while I kiss the sky”—sounded just as revolutionary in 1967 as they do today.

Dec 26, 1966: Jimi Hendrix writes “Purple Haze”

After a stint in the U.S. Army and a creatively unfulfilling stretch as a session musician and sideman to acts like Little Richard and The Isley Brothers, 21-year-old Jimi Hendrix moved to New York City in 1964 to set about building a solo career. “Discovered” two years later by the British manager/producer Chas Chandler, a former member of the The Animals, Hendrix moved to England in 1966 and teamed up with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell to form The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The group scored an almost immediate UK hit with “Hey Joe,” which was released in mid-December. It was 10 days later, however, on December 26, 1966, that Hendrix wrote “Purple Haze”—the song that would not only give him his breakthrough hit in the United States, but also go on to define an entire musical era.

Hendrix had been fooling around with the guitar riffs that became “Purple Haze” for several months, but it was on the afternoon of this day in 1966, while in a backstage dressing room at the Uppercut Club in London, that he wrote the song’s famous lyrics. And while critics and fans alike rightly hail Jimi Hendrix for having revolutionized the very sound of rock’s most important instrument, his status as arguably the greatest electric guitarist who ever lived sometimes overshadows his talents as a songwriter. “Purple Haze” was a song that instantly grabbed listeners’ attention with its famous opening riff—”a ferocious two-note guitar march scarred with fuzz,” in the words of Rolling Stone—and didn’t let go through a little more than three minutes of tightly constructed instrumental chaos. But its lyrics—“Scuse me while I kiss the sky”—sounded just as revolutionary in 1967 as they do today.



James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix (November 27, 1942 - ∞)

On this day sixty-nine years ago, the greatest electric guitarist to ever live, Jimi Hendrix, was born. Jimi Hendrix expanded the range and vocabulary of the electric guitar into areas no musician had ever ventured before. His boundless drive, technical ability and creative application of such effects as wah-wah and distortion forever transformed the sound of rock and roll. Hendrix helped usher in the age of psychedelia with his 1967 debut, Are You Experienced?, and the impact of his brief but meteoric career on popular music continues to be felt.


Happy Birthday Allen Ginsberg (June 3, 1926 – April 5, 1997) I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix.. Allen Ginsberg helped launch a literary revolution in the United States during the mid-20th century. His poem “Howl” landed him in court for obscenity, and his victory helped expand the boundaries of what constituted acceptable.

Happy Birthday Allen Ginsberg (June 3, 1926 – April 5, 1997)

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by
madness, starving hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn
looking for an angry fix..

Allen Ginsberg helped launch a literary revolution in the United States during the mid-20th century. His poem “Howl” landed him in court for obscenity, and his victory helped expand the boundaries of what constituted acceptable.


On This Day: Jun 1, 1967The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band In the spring of 1967 Paul McCartney brought the album by Bob Dylan’s London hotel room for a quick listen. While it may not be the most thoughtful analysis, it still hit the nail on the head. “Oh I get it” Dylan said.

On This Day: Jun 1, 1967
The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

In the spring of 1967 Paul McCartney brought the album by Bob Dylan’s London hotel room for a quick listen. While it may not be the most thoughtful analysis, it still hit the nail on the head. “Oh I get it” Dylan said.


“Bob Dylan Influenced Everything” - John Lennon Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, the man who wrote Forever Young is now 70 years old. Regarded as the most influential musician of all time, his influence on music and culture alike is immense. Known as “The man with a message”, he brought folk music to the masses. When Dylan released “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” in 1963 people knew that they were hearing lyrics of a different kind. He was the voice of his generation and all generations to follow. His musical influence is still found in many artist today. Thank you for a half-century of great music.Happy Birthday Bobby   may you stay forever young

“Bob Dylan Influenced Everything” - John Lennon

Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, the man who wrote Forever Young is now 70 years old. Regarded as the most influential musician of all time, his influence on music and culture alike is immense. Known as “The man with a message”, he brought folk music to the masses. When Dylan released “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” in 1963 people knew that they were hearing lyrics of a different kind. He was the voice of his generation and all generations to follow. His musical influence is still found in many artist today. Thank you for a half-century of great music.
Happy Birthday Bobby
   may you stay forever young


Most famously known for his role as Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird Gregory Peck was born this day 95 years ago.

Most famously known for his role as Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird Gregory Peck was born this day 95 years ago.


On this day 47 years ago April 4, 1964 The Beatles became the first and only band to hold the top five spots on the Billboard Top 100.

On this day 47 years ago April 4, 1964 The Beatles became the first and only band to hold the top five spots on the Billboard Top 100.


The British Invasion: The Beatles arrive in New York on Feb. 7, 1964 for their first U.S. appearance. 

The British Invasion: The Beatles arrive in New York on Feb. 7, 1964 for their first U.S. appearance.