On March 27, 1986, the city of Shreveport, Louisiana bore witness to the very first public performance of Van Halen MKII – otherwise nicknamed “Van Hagar,” in reference to the band’s new front man, Sammy Hagar, who had controversially replaced former loudmouth, David Lee Roth, a few months prior.
On Monday, March 25, 1968, at 7:30PM, the final episode of 'The Monkees' aired over the NBC airwaves. When the television show about a rock and roll band premiered on Monday, Sept. 12, 1966, no one could have guessed the phenomenon it would become. Over the 18 months that followed, the fictitious band became a real band, and their records not only topped the charts, but even outsold the Beatles.
On March 23, 1973, John Lennon was issued an order by US immigration authorities to leave the United States. He was given 60 days to do so. The reason given for the deportation stemmed from his conviction in 1968 in England for possession of marijuana; however, as we now know, it had more to do with the Nixon administration's general fear of Lennon, his political views and his influence. Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, was, however, granted permanent residence at the time.
The numbers attached to ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ are pretty impressive. More than 50 million copies sold worldwide. Fifteen straight years on Billboard’s album chart. Consistently ranked in the Top 10 of many best-albums-ever-made polls. But Pink Floyd’s achievements with their eighth LP go deeper than that. In a way, their 1973 epic changed the way people made and listened to albums. Forty years after its release, there’s still no better head trip -- legally at least -- available.
‘The Final Cut,’ Pink Floyd’s 12th album, last record with Roger Waters and sorta sequel to ‘The Wall’ is many things.
On March 20, 1968, a genuine rock and roll all star bust went down. At the home of then girlfriend of Stephen Stills, nestled in the legendary Topanga Canyon of California, members of Buffalo Springfield were getting a little out of hand.
The forthcoming 'Rainbow: Live in Munich 1977' offers fans a remastered -- and comprehensive -- glimpse of Ritchie Blackmore's band with Ronnie James Dio and Cozy Powell. In fact, the April 30 release is the only complete performance ever filmed from that era.
On March 11, 1997, at the age of 54, former Beatles and Wings member Paul McCartney received one of Britain's highest honors when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. The centuries-old ceremony, officially bestows the title of "Sir" upon all fortunate enough to receive the designation.
Quiet Riot took metal to the mainstream with the release of 'Metal Health' in March of 1983.
