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.

August 1, 1981: MTV Debut Was a Game Changer

The notion of a 24-hour cable TV channel airing music videos was hardly an assured success when MTV launched. It proved to be a media game changer

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Aug. 1, 2017: Steppenwolf Keyboardist Goldy McJohn Dies

The founding member, organist on all of the band’s hits including “Born to Be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride,” died of a heart attack.

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July 31, 2021: Paul Cotton, Longtime Poco Guitarist/Vocalist, Dies

The guitarist and vocalist, a mainstay of the country-rock legends for nearly 40 years, wrote such Poco favorites as “Bad Weather” and “Heart of the Night.”

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July 31, 1923: Atlantic Records Founder Ahmet Ertegun Born

His biographer called Ahmet Ertegun “The Last Sultan.” Truly hip, smart and a devoted lover of music, he presided over the legendary label with style and grace

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July 30, 1968: Beatles London Boutique Closes

A store “where beautiful people can buy beautiful things” was one of the first ventures by The Beatles’ Apple Corps. It did not work out quite as planned.

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July 30, 1977: Andy Gibb Hits #1 With ‘Everything’

The Bee Gees’ Barry, Robin and Maurice’s younger brother enjoyed a huge hit of his own but the trappings of success caught up with him

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July 29, 1967: The Doors ‘Light My Fire’ Hits #1

The band’s first and biggest hit spent three weeks at #1 in the summer of 1967 and we’ve got some facts you may not know

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July 28, 2021: Dusty Hill, ZZ Top Bassist, Dies at 72

The group were in the midst of a tour when Hill suddenly took a leave of absence. At the time, the band announced he had to address a hip issue

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Happy Birthday to Bad Company’s Simon Kirke

The drummer who first made a name for himself with Free is also a multi-instrumentalist who records and performs as a singer-songwriter

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July 27, 1973: New York Dolls Debut Album Released

The legacy of the band spans from being named both Best New Band and Worst Band by Creem magazine to being today considered innovators who changed rock. That Vinyl appearance…

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