Rock and Metal History, a day like today May 19

1967: The Beatles held a press party at manager's Brian Epstein's house in London for the launch of the Sgt. Pepper album. Linda Eastman was hired as the press photographer.

1973: Wizzard were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'See My Baby Jive,' Roy Wood's (from The Move), latest group spent four weeks at the top of the charts.

1976: Rolling Stone Keith Richards crashed his car near Newport Pagnell, Bucks, after falling asleep at the wheel; marijuana and cocaine were found by the police resulting in another fine for the guitarist.

1978: Dire Straits released their first major label single 'Sultans Of Swing', recorded on a £120 budget. The song was first recorded as a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, in July 1977, and quickly acquired a following after it was put on rotation at Radio London.

1981: Sting was named songwriter of the year at the 26th Ivor Novello Awards.

1992: KISS released the album "Revenge"

2008: Deep Purple release " Around the World - live "

2010: 'Stairway To Heaven' was named the UK's favourite rock song in a survey by listeners to radio station Absolute Classic Rock. Led Zeppelin had two other tracks in the top 10; ‘Whole Lotta Love’ was voted at No. 4 and ‘Rock 'n' Roll’, from the group’s fourth album, was at No. 7.

Born on this day

1945: Pete Townshend, guitar, vocals, The Who, (1965 UK No.2 single 'My Generation' 1967 US No.9 single 'I Can See For Miles' plus over 20 other UK Top 40 hit singles, 16 US Top 40 singles and rock opera albums 'Tommy' & 'Quadrophenia'). Townshend became known for his eccentric stage style during the band's early days, swinging his right arm against the guitar strings in his signature move; a windmill style, often smashing guitars on stage.

1949: Dusty Hill, bass, keyboardist, and co-vocalist with ZZ Top, (1984 US No.8 and 1985 UK No.16 single 'Legs'). ZZ Top has had global album sales in excess of 50 million as of 2014. Along with his brother Rocky Hill and future fellow ZZ Top member Frank Beard, Hill played in local Dallas bands the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues.

1952: Jeffrey Hyman, (Joey Ramone), vocals, the Ramones,1977 UK No.22 single 'Sheena Is A Punk Rocker'. He died on 15th April 2001 after losing a long battle with lymphatic cancer aged 49. On November 30, 2003, a block of East 2nd Street in New York City was officially renamed Joey Ramone Place.

1954: Phil Rudd, drums, AC/DC, from 1975 through 1983, and again from 1994 to 2015, (1980 UK No.36 single 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and 1980 UK No.1 & US No.14 album Back In Black sold over 49 million copies). On 6 November 2014 Rudd was arrested and charged with attempting to procure a murder, threatening to kill, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis, following a police raid on his home.