Rock and Metal History, a day like today June 23

1966: The Beatles had their tenth consecutive UK No.1 single with 'Paperback Writer' / 'Rain.' The track is marked by the boosted bass guitar sound throughout, partly in response to John Lennon demanding to know why the bass on a certain Wilson Pickett record far exceeded the bass on any Beatles records. It was also cut louder than any other Beatles record, due to a new piece of equipment used in the mastering process.

-The Who performed at the Refectory at the University at Leeds as part of a University Rag Ball along with The Alan Price Set, The Swingin’ Blue Jeans, and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, without recently departed guitarist Eric Clapton, who left to form the new group Cream. 1973: 10cc were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Rubber Bullets', the first of three UK No.1's for the band, (who also had a No.1 as Hotlegs).

1974: The Grateful Dead performed at the Jai-Alai Fronton in Miami, Florida.

1975: During his 'Welcome To My Nightmare' tour in Vancouver, Canada, Alice Cooper fell from the stage and broke six ribs.

1984: The album Born in the U.S.A. debuted at # 9 on the Album chart, kickstarting Bruce Springsteen's career.

1995: Drummer Alan White made his live debut with Oasis at Glastonbury Festival. Also former Take That member Robbie Williams appeared on stage with the band during the show.

1996: Bryan Adams went to No.1 on the UK album chart with '18-Till I Die'. Metallica went to No.1 on the US album chart with their sixth studio album 'Load'. The album has now sold over five million copies in America alone.

2003: Metallica released the single "St. Anger" as the lead single from their eighth studio album of the same name. It won Best Metal Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards and was also nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park.

2008: Coldplay appeared at Madison Square Garden in New York City on the first night of the North American leg of their 161-date Viva la Vida world Tour.

2009: Dream Theater released their tenth studio album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" . It is the band's last album to feature drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy before his departure on September 8, 2010. The album's lyrics were written by John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy, and all except one concern personal experiences about disturbing or difficult moments of their lives.

Born on this day

1958: Chris Holmes former guitarist with W.A.S.P.

1961: Phil Soussan former bassist with Ozzy Osbourne, co-wrote ShotInTheDark

1962: Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth)

-Chuck Billy singer with Testament

1963: Lizzy Borden singer and founder of Lizzy Borden

1965: Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, guitar, Oasis (first single 'Supersonic' 1994 UK No.31, 1996 UK No.1 single 'Don't Look Back In Anger', 1994 UK No.1 album Definitely Maybe became the fastest selling UK debut album ever'). Arthurs, quit the band in Aug 1999.