On This Day
American arena rock scored a major chart benchmark in 1973 as Michigan power trio Grand Funk Railroad reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 with We’re an American Band. Produced by Todd Rundgren and sung by drummer Don Brewer, the rowdy, cowbell-driven anthem gave the group their first American chart-topper, transforming the hugely successful touring band into chart-topping radio stars.
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Studio Number Six stories exploring the making, legacy and impact of music.
4 mins readTwo Minutes of Profanity: How the Sex Pistols Ended Bill Grundy’s Career
On 1 December 1976, Thames Television’s tea-time news magazine show Today scrambled to fill a last-minute vacancy. Rock group Queen had cancelled their scheduled…
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4 mins readThe Flare Gun That Burned Down Montreux Casino and Created “Smoke on the Water”
In December 1971, British hard rock pioneers Deep Purple arrived in Montreux, a tranquil resort town on the edge of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.…
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2 mins readThe Day Led Zeppelin Were Banned for Having Long Hair
In February Nineteen Seventy-Two, Led Zeppelin flew into Singapore’s Paya Lebar Airport, fresh from a triumphant tour of Australia. They expected a standard layover…
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2 mins readThe Day Bon Scott Shocked Australian Television
In March Nineteen Seventy-Five, AC/DC were still fighting to establish themselves outside of the rough pub circuits of Melbourne and Sydney. Their breakthrough moment…
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On This Day
Historic moments connected to this story.
1973Oct15
Grateful DeadRock Stories
October 15th: The Grateful Dead Go Independent
In nineteen seventy-three, the Grateful Dead released Wake of the Flood, their first studio album on their own record label. Having parted company with…
October 15, 1973
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October 14th: Cyndi Lauper Unveils She’s So Unusual
In 1983, American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper released her debut solo studio album, She's So Unusual, on Portrait Records. Produced by Rick Chertoff and propelled…
October 14, 1983
Michael JacksonRock Stories
October 13th: Michael Jackson Conquers the Charts with a Dance Milestone
Michael Jackson's adult solo career reached a new level in 1979 as Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough reached number one on the US…
October 13, 1979
BonoEdgeU2Rock Stories
October 12th: U2 Deepens Their Sound with October
In 1981, Irish rock quartet U2 released their second studio album, October, through Island Records. Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with producer…
October 12, 1981Backstage Pass
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