This Day in Rock History: August 19
Many significant moments in rock history throughout the years occurred on Aug. 19. The Beatles started their quest to conquer North America on this day, and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust…
Many significant moments in rock history throughout the years occurred on Aug. 19. The Beatles started their quest to conquer North America on this day, and David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust persona mesmerized London audiences some years later. Here are other memorable events that happened in the rock world on this date.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
This was a special day for arguably the biggest rock band in history, The Beatles, who celebrated two pivotal moments in their history.
- 1964: The Beatles played the first show of their first North American tour at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. The setlist featured 12 songs, and the tour included 32 shows in both the U.S. and Canada.
- 1967: The Beatles reaped the benefits of their hugely successful North American shows, with their song “All You Need Is Love” reaching the top spot on the U.S. Hot 100 chart. Written by Lennon and McCartney, the band released the song a month earlier, and it became an anthem for what was later dubbed “The Summer of Love.”
Cultural Milestones
Many legendary musicians who helped shape rock's culture were born on this day:
- 1939: Ginger Baker was born in Lewisham, South London, England. He gained international superstardom in 1966 when he formed the group Cream with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. Despite only performing for less than three years, the band released four albums, pioneering a blues-influenced rock music style.
- 1945: Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan was born in Chiswick, Middlesex, England. Joining the band in 1969, Gillan was one of the most gifted and charismatic singers in the history of rock.
- 1951: Queen bassist John Deacon was born in Leicester, England. He wrote the hit, “Another One Bites the Dust,” and had a huge influence on the band's overall sound. He retired from music in 1997 and repeatedly declined to reunite with former bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Aug. 19 has also recorded some spectacular performances and album launches. These included:
- 1972: David Bowie, as the fictional character Ziggy Stardust, played a sold-out show at London's Rainbow Theatre in a performance for the ages, hailed by music critics and fans.
- 1997: Fleetwood Mac released their live album, The Dance, which they recorded at Warner Bros. Studios in California. It featured the return of the band's most successful lineup of John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie, who has since passed.
The Beatles’ first tour of North America started on Aug. 19, while this date also marked memorable performances by David Bowie, the release of Fleetwood Mac's classic album, The Dance, and the birth of legendary musicians who helped shape rock's culture.
