This Day in History: 2023-03-30

MARCH 30^th

Eric “Slowhand” Clapton enters the world. His resume includes the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek & The Dominoes plus a lengthy solo career. 1945

Stevie Nicks appears on NBC’s Today Show to promote her career-spanning compilation, “Crystal Visions: The Very Best Of Stevie Nicks.” She says that even without Fleetwood Mac or solo success, she would still be performing. “I’m an entertainer,” she explains. “I would be entertaining even if we didn’t make it… Because I love to perform.” 2007

A rare, signed copy of The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” sells for $290,500 at an auction in Texas. The previous record for a signed cover was $150,000 for the band’s ’64 set “Meet The Beatles.” 2013

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Eric “Slowhand” Clapton enters the world. His resume includes the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek & The Dominoes plus a lengthy solo career. 1945

Black Oak Arkansas lead singer Jim Dandy (James Mangrum) has a birthday.  He’s not from Arkansas but rather Benton Harbor, MI.  1948

Procol Harum guitarist Dave Ball starts his life in Birmingham, England. In ’72, he replaces Robin Trower.  1950

Drummer Joey Castillo (Queens Of The Stone Age) is born in Gardena, CA.  1966

The Beatles cover photo for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is taken. A release is needed from all the living persons represented. Mae West initially declines but is later won over by a personal request from the group. 1967

Lip-sync mishap. Jimi Hendrix appears on Top of the Pops. But instead of playing the “Purple Haze” tape, a studio tech rolls Alan Price’s “Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear.” “I don’t know the words to that one,” Hendrix calmly states. 1967

The Ramones make their live debut at Performance Studio in New York City.  1974

The Sex Pistols play their first London show and attract an audience of 50 or so. 1976

Who knew shooting pigeons from a London rehearsal hall roof was illegal? The Clash’s Paul Simonon and Topper Headon are arrested for doing just that. 1978

Pink Floyd embark on their last world tour before breaking up. The trek is in support of their “Division Bell” album. 1994

The Gin Blossoms crack the U.S. Top 10 for the first time with the two-sided single, “Til I Hear It From You” and “Follow You Down.” The single reaches #9. 1996

Following a nationwide search, guitarist Mike Smith makes his debut with Limp Bizkit at Wrestlemania XIX in Seattle. Smith replaces guitarist Wes Borland (temporarily). 2003

Todd Harrell (3 Doors Down) is acquitted of one count of simple assault in a Moss Point, MS., municipal court. The charges stemmed from a 3/5/04 altercation with a man who accused the bassist of stealing newspapers from a coin-operated vending machine. 2004

It’s revealed that Courtney Love has sold a 25% share of her stake in Nirvana’s publishing rights to Larry Mestel, of Primary Wave Music Publishing. “I needed a partner to take Kurt Cobain’s songs and bring them into the future and into the next generation,” says the widow Cobain. The grapevine claims Love gets more than $50 million from the deal. 2006

World Wide Red Light District agrees to cease distribution of a sex-tape with ex-Creed frontman Scott Stapp, Kid Rock and four women. Stapp filed an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against adult-film company. 2007

Saliva’s Josey Scott has an emergency operation to treat a hemorrhaged arterial bleeding ulcer. The surgery, which takes place in Jackson, TN, forces Saliva to cancel thirteen appearances on the Snocore tour. 2009

A commercial for Dr Pepper Cherry soda featuring KISS’ Gene Simmons and his son, Nick, premieres. The KISS track “Calling Dr. Love” is also featured in the “Trust Me, I’m a Dr.” campaign. 2009

The Who close out a series of concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall marking the 10th anniversary of benefit shows in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust charity. They perform a complete rendition of their ’73 Rock Opera “Quadrophenia” with guest vocalists Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Tom Meighan (Kasabian). 2010

Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil performs the National Anthem before the Las Vegas Outlaws debut game at the Thomas & Mack Center. Rockstar Sports Group, of which Neil is a partner, were awarded the Arena Football League franchise the previous September. 2015

Van Halen shut down Hollywood Boulevard to play their hits on the first of a two-night run on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Singer David Lee Roth cuts his nose while furiously twirling a metal baton during the opening number, “Panama.” He gets it bandaged and carries on but the injury requires fourteen stitches. The mini-concert promotes the group’s album “Tokyo Dome Live In Concert.” 2015

Mötörhead’s Road Crew American Pale Ale! takes home the “Freshly Spilt: Best Newcomer” prize at the Carouser Awards.  The beer captures 57.9% of the public vote, going up against Iron Maiden’s ‘Trooper Red ‘N’ Black’ Porter, among others.  2017

Disturbed’s “A Reason To Fight” is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart becoming the band’s sixth consecutive chart topper – a record.  Three Days Grace previously held the record with five consecutive #1’s between ‘12 and ‘15. Disturbed’s five previous #1’s were “The Vengeful One,” “The Light,” “The Sound Of Silence” (the Simon and Garfunkel cover), “Open Your Eyes” and “Are You Ready.” 2019

Paul McCartney pens a letter to Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson urging the company to nix their surcharge on plant-based milk drinks, which are more expressive to produce and package. Plant-based milks have seen a decent growth in consumption in recent years whereas dairy milks haven’t.  2022

Steve Gorman, former drummer for The Black Crowes, files a lawsuit against singer Chris Robinson and guitarist Rich Robinson and The Black Crowes Partnership over unpaid royalties though he doesn’t know exactly how much he thinks he is owed.  2022

Queen drummer Roger Taylor is awarded an OBE — Officer of the Order of the British Empire. During an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle Taylor dedicates the honor to fellow drummer Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) who passed away the previous week.  2022

All That Remains announce that drummer Jason Costa has left the band’s current U.S. tour in order to “deal with some personal matters.” He is temporarily replaced by Anthony Barone.  2022

To kick-off baseball season the New York Yankees use My Chemical Romance’s “Welcome To The Black Parade” in the team’s promo video.  Band member Frank Iero writes that being a Yankees fan runs in his blood, so “it is a special honor.” 2023