Posts From Best Classic Bands Staff

The ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ U.S. Release

Capitol Records had resisted releasing their singles in America. When they finally agreed to issue this one, they had to rush it out

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Dylan, Byrds’ McGuinn, Hillman Say Farewell to Petty

Among Tom Petty’s major influences were the Byrds, whose Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman paid him tribute. Also, a short and sweet note from Dylan

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December 25, 2016: Singer George Michael Dies

The hugely successful pop singer got his start in the hitmaking 1980s duo Wham and went on to a phenomenal career as a solo artist with 8 U.S. #1 hits

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December 24, 1974: Rock Stars Go Caroling

Details are sketchy to say the least, but On This Day James Taylor, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell sang holiday carols to surprised LA crowds

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Tom Petty Tributes Pour In From Rock Stars, Fans

He is being mourned by his fellow musicians, each of whom was touched by the humanity expressed in his songwriting. A sampling of some of the best

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Dec 24, 2016: Rick Parfitt, Status Quo Guitarist—Obituary

The performer for the group best known in the U.S. for the 1968 hit “Pictures of Matchstick Men” had had several heart attacks, including one that year

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Dec 23, 1996: Nikki Sixx Marries 2nd Playmate

The Motley Crüe co-founder married the second of two Playboy Playmates. Both marriages ended in divorce and, sadly, both women have fallen on rough times

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Dec 22, 1967: ‘The Graduate’ Movie Release Date

A groundbreaking movie of its time catapulted Dustin Hoffman to stardom and earned 7 Academy Award nominations. Everybody say it together: “plastics”

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Dec 21, 1988: Music Stars and Pan Am Flight 103

We might well have lost Motown singing stars the Four Tops and punk rock provocateur John Lydon pka Johnny Rotten in the notorious Lockerbie bombing

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Dec 20, 2020: Chad Stuart, of Britain’s Chad & Jeremy—Obituary

The school friends formed as a folk duo in 1962 and enjoyed such British Invasion-era hits as “Yesterday’s Gone” and “A Summer Song”

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