Strawberry Fields Forever: Today in Classic Rock History 10-9-12

Today in Classic Rock History

In 1964

The Rolling Stones cancelled a South African tour because the British Musicians' Union was upholding an anti-apartheid embargo.

In 1966

The Rolling Stones recorded their first live album, "Got Live If You Want It." (Did anyone tell them that their grammer sucked?)

In 1971

Van Morrison released the single "Wild Night." (And it WAS!!)

In 1978

David Bowie released the album "Stage."

In 1979

Styx released the single "Babe."

In 1980

John Lennon released "Starting Over," his first single in five years.

In 1985

Yoko Ono dedicated the John Lennon memorial park, Strawberry Fields, in New York's Central Park.

In 1987

The Chuck Berry film "Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll" opened in the U.S.

Bruce Springsteen released the album "Tunnel of Love."

In 1990

Roger Waters released the album "The Wall - Live In Berlin." (Amazing!)

In 1991

Procol Harum played a reunion concert on NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman."

In 2000

To mark what would have been the late John Lennon's 60th birthday, a new museum dedicated to him opened in Tokyo, the albums "Double Fantasy" and "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" were reissued, and the Beatles book "Anthology" was published.

In 2001

Queensryche released the DVD and video "Live Evolution."

In 2002

Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted officially joined the group Voivod. (and we never heard from him ever again!)

In 2003

The late John Lennon's birthday was celebrated in Moscow with the concert "The Beatles Sessions," marking a change in attitude for the former communist nation which banned Beatles music during the Soviet era.

Former R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry rejoined the group for a greatest hits show in Raleigh, North Carolina.

INXS frontman Jon Stevens left the group, citing musical differences.

Nearly 200 Limp Bizkit fans filed a lawsuit against the group over the band's abbreviated Summer Sanitarium set in Chicago.  Limp Bizkit only played 17 minutes, leaving the stage after they were bombarded with garbage. (Apparently the fans thought they were at a 'Garbage' concert... Oh Well!)

In 2004

Melissa Etheridge underwent a lumpectomy at a hospital in Los Angeles as she battled breast cancer.

Yoko Ono awarded two 50-thousand-dollar "LennonOno Grant for Peace" prizes to activist Mordechai Vanunu and writer Seymour Hersh.  Vanunu spoke up about Israel's nuclear capabilities, while Hersh wrote a series of articles on the controversy surrounding the treatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib.

In 2005

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine revealed that the band would continue.  He had previously indicated that he was ready to leave the group.  Mustaine made his announcement during a show in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tommy Lee participated in a demonstration outside the J. Crew store in Las Vegas, protesting the clothing company's use of fur in its fashions.

In 2006

To mark what would have been John Lennon's 66th birthday, Yoko Ono took part in the dedication ceremony for the site of the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland. (there are way too many Yoko Ono references today)

In 2007

To mark what would have been John Lennon's 67th birthday, Yoko Ono took part in the dedication ceremony for the Imagine Peace Tower, which was officially unveiled on Videy Island in Reykjavik, Iceland.  The light tower was also illuminated, and remained lit through December 8th -- the anniversary of Lennon's death.  Ringo Starr was among those on hand for the ceremony.

New releases included Eric Clapton's book, "Clapton: The Autobiography" and companion CD, "Compete Clapton," and Kid Rock's CD "Rock N Roll Jesus."

In 2008

Celebrations to mark the late John Lennon's birthday included the Imagine Peace Paint-In in Denver, Colorado.  The former Beatle's one-time girlfriend May Pang was the featured guest speaker at the event, while Firefall frontman Jock Bartley was the musical headliner.

In 2010

On what would have been the late John Lennon's 70th birthday, Yoko Ono was in Reykjavik for the Imagine Peace Tower's annual relighting ceremony while Julian Lennon and his mom, Cynthia, were on hand in Liverpool, England for the unveiling of the Imagine Peace and Harmony monument erected in Lennon's memory.

Ozzy Osbourne performed at Andre Agassi's 15th Grand Slam for Children in Las Vegas.

In 2011

Paul McCartney married girlfriend Nancy Shevell in a ceremony at the Old Marylebone Town Hall in London.  They exchanged vows in the same place that the former Beatle married his first wife, Linda, in 1969, on what would have been John Lennon's 71st birthday.

source:metronews