Rock an Metal History, a day like today April 19
1965: The Beatles single 'Ticket to Ride' was released on Capitol records in the US. The single's label stated that the song was from the upcoming movie 'Eight Arms to Hold You' (the original name for the movie 'Help!').
1967: Jimi Hendrix The Walker Brothers, Engelbert Humperdink and Cat Stevens, played two shows at The Odeon, Birmingham, England.
1968: Pink Floyd released their fourth UK single 'It Would Be So Nice', written by Richard Wright, with Roger Waters' 'Julia Dream' on the B-side. Pink Floyd were on tour in Europe on this day, and played their second night at the Piper Club, in Rome, Italy.
1969; Smile (later to be known as Queen ) appeared at the Revolution Club in London, England.
1974: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band appeared at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The gig was unadvertised by its promoter, who gambled that word-of-mouth would be enough to fill the 550-seat venue, only 250 people attended. Tickets cost $4.50 and $5.50 in advance.
1980: Blondie went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Call Me', featured in the Richard Gere movie 'American Gigolo', the track was also a No.1 in the UK.
1980: 32 year old English singer Brian Johnson joined Australian group AC/DC, replacing Bon Scott who had died after a drinks binge in February 1980. Johnson's first band was the Gobi Desert Canoe Club. He was also in a band called Fresh. From 1970, Johnson played with cabaret/club band The Jasper Hart Band, performing songs from the musical Hair. He and other members of the band went on to form Geordie.
1980: R.E.M. played their first gig as R.E.M. at the 11:11 Koffee Club, Athens, Georgia to 150 people. The show ended at 2am when police closed it down due to the venue being unlicensed.
1995: The Stone Roses played their first gig in five years when the appeared at The Rockefeller Club, Oslo, Norway.
Born on this day
1942: Born on this day, Alan Price, keyboards, The Animals, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'House Of The Rising Sun'). And solo, (1967 UK No.4 single 'Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Bear').
