On This Day
We take you back into classic rock’s history and legacy to note important events that happened on this date as well as celebrate the birthdays of major musical artists and mourn their passing.
May 18, 1980: Joy Division’s Ian Curtis Dies
Those close to the singer cite a number of factors that may have fed into his decision to take his own life at just 23. Do you know which band the remaining members formed?
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May 17, 1966: Bob Dylan Called ‘Judas’ in Manchester
Less than a year after Dylan had “gone electric” at the Newport Folk Festival, a heckler called him Judas at a concert. See how Dylan responded. The concert is now part of his official Bootleg series
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May 17, 2016: Singer-Songwriter Guy Clark Dies
He was one of the most admired song craftsmen and performers in the country-folk scene with songs covered by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, and more
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May 17, 2022: Vangelis, Composer Best Known For ‘Chariots of Fire’ and ‘Blade Runner,’ Dies
The Greek-born electronic music composer earned an Academy Award for Best Original Score. The album and title track both reached #1 in the U.S.
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May 16, 1966: Beach Boys Release ‘Pet Sounds’
The album is considered to be Brian Wilson’s masterpiece. He began working on it in 1965 while the rest of the band was on tour. It yielded 3 hit singles and a lasting influence
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Happy Birthday, Robert Fripp!
The founding member of King Crimson was one of the leaders of the progressive rock movement. He has since collaborated with the likes of Eno, Bowie + Gabriel
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May 15, 1982: Debut Asia Album Hits #1
By the early 1980s, music critics were saying that punk was killing off prog rock. Then along came a new supergroup to prove them wrong.
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May 14, 1988: Led Zeppelin Reunites at Atlantic 40th
At a marathon concert, a star-studded cast including Yes, Genesis, Foreigner, CSN and the Bee Gees saluted their label. Oh yeah, Led Zeppelin too.
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May 14, 2019: Tim Conway, Comedy Legend, Dies at 85
The much-loved actor, well known for his deadpan comic delivery, starred for years on The Carol Burnett Show, earning 4 Emmy Awards
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May 13, 2018: ‘Superman’ Actress Margot Kidder—Obituary
The husky-voiced actress, who starred opposite Christopher Reeve in two of the Superman films, died at age 69 at her Montana home
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