This Day in History: 2024-06-27

JUNE 27th

With his career at its nadir, Elvis Presley begins taping his first TV special at NBC studios in Burbank. The show was originally conceived as a Christmas special. But Elvis updates his ’50s image and once again displays the raw magnetism that made him world famous, singing both his early hits and new material. When the show airs in December Presley is clearly on the comeback trail. 1968

Sum 41 unfurls their “Half Hour Of Power” album. The set contains “Grab The Devil By The Horns,” “Makes No Difference” and “What I Believe.” 2000

Muse’s seventh album “Drones” is the band’s first-ever #1 on the U.S. album chart. 2015

“Women’s rights have been taken away,” writes Stevie Nicks on social media in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade. “I would like for everyone to watch the documentary called “The Janes.”  It is a huge Déjà Vu for me as it is about my generation leading up to Roe v. Wade. It will blow your mind. History is repeating itself…and it’s even more frightening this time…”  “The Janes” is about seven women in the late ‘60’s/early ‘70’s (pre-Roe v. Wade) who were arrested for being part of clandestine underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions.  2022

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Bruce Johnston is born in Peoria, Illinois. He joins the Beach Boys in ’65 providing bass and vocals. His first recording session with the group produces “California Girls.” 1942

The Denver Pop Festival features Creedence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Winter and the Iron Butterfly. 50,000 are at Mile High Stadium. Violence breaks out and the law moves in with clubs and tear gas. 1969

The Last Fillmore East show. The Allman Brothers, J. Geils Band and Albert King (who performed on the theatre’s opening night) are featured. 1971

“Live And Let Die” opens in the U.S. with the theme song written and performed by Paul McCartney (and his band Wings). It’s the eighth James Bond movie and Roger Moore’s debut as 007. 1973

On the strength of the smash single “Tush,” ZZ Top earns a gold record for their “Fandango” album. 1975

Motorhead’s “No Sleep Til Hammersmith” is #1 on the U.K. album chart. It is a rare live album chart topper. 1981

Got 60 minutes for a 3-minute song? Aerosmith is the first major label group to have a song available for legal downloads. The previously unreleased, “Head First” is distributed via CompuServe. The song takes over an hour to download. 1994

“These Days” is Bon Jovi’s sixth studio album. Produced by Peter Collins, Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi, the album later lands at #2 two on Q magazine’s list of the Top 50 Albums of the Year. 1995

The Who’s bassist, John Entwistle, dies of an apparent heart attack in Las Vegas just prior to a North American tour. Later, the coroner concludes drugs were involved. 2002

Slipknot is booed offstage while headlining Fury Fest in Le Mans, France. The group’s prolonged sound check forces the event’s other 12 bands to shorten their performances. As a result, the audience tosses trash and taunts Slipknot when they hit the stage. Slipknot responds by shortening their show. 2004

Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose is arrested in Stockholm, Sweden, after a drunken scuffle with security personnel at the band’s hotel. Rose argues with a woman at a GN’R party, then fights guards who try to intercede. Rose is charged with damaging property, assault and threatening a police officer. Rose is deemed too intoxicated to be questioned and held overnight. He is freed after paying a $5,500 fine. Of course, Rose claims it was all a misunderstanding. 2006

False gods? A French appeals court sides with Elton John in his claim against a Paris antique shop. In his lawsuit, John claims sculptures of four Greek gods that he purchased in ’96 for $360,000 were forgeries of 18th century works. John is awarded $500,000 in damages. 2007

Lilith Fair, founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan and consisting solely of female solo artists and female-led bands, ramps up for the first time in over a decade. Sheryl Crow is one of the headliners. The first stop is in Calgary but due to the sluggish economy several shows are canceled. 2010

Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil is released on $2,000 bail after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Las Vegas. Neil, who owns a bar in the Las Vegas Hilton hotel, has a record that includes pleading guilty to manslaughter and drunk driving in ’84 and arrests for assault and violence in ’02, ’03 and ’04. 2010

The Summer Olympic Games in London select Muse’s song “Survival” as the official song of the Games. “I wrote it (“Survival”) with the Games in mind as it expresses a sense of conviction and determination to win,” says Muse’s Matt Bellamy. 2012

Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe is arrested in Prague and charged with manslaughter following the death of a fan.  Blythe pushed the man off the stage during a concert. The fan sustains head injuries leading to a coma and his subsequent death. Blythe is acquitted the following year.  2012

Adam Levine (Maroon 5) plays a songwriter in the film “Begin Again.” The movie, which stars Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley, opens.  2014

Muse’s seventh album “Drones” is the band’s first-ever #1 on the U.S. album chart. 2015

Yes bassist Chris Squire dies a month after revealing he’d been diagnosed with leukemia. Squire and singer Jon Anderson co-founded Yes in ’68. He was 67.  2015

Dave Rosser, guitarist for the Afghan Whigs, dies following a battle with inoperable colon cancer. He was 50.  2017

John Cooper, the frontman and bassist for Skillet, calls the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade a “miracle.” “I have actually believed that one day Roe was gonna be overturned,” says Cooper during a podcast. “I actually believe that abortion is going to become illegal altogether in every state in America. 2022

Responding to Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and others who threaten to leave the U.S. over the Supreme Court’s nullification of Roe v. Wade, Five Finger Death Punch bassist Chris Kael says, “No one cares about anything enough to pack up and move out of the country. It’s easy to say onstage, on TV and on social media; Stop bullshittin’.” 2022

Asking Alexandria cancel the remainder of its European tour due to a broken foot sustained by the band’s drummer, James Cassells.  “Playing drums is just not an option for him at this current time,” writes the band in a statement.  2023