This Day in Rock History: December 10th

Time to take a look back into this day in rock history: December 10

1967

Soul singer, songwriter Otis Redding, literally on the brink of superstardom after his brilliant performance at the Monterrey Pop Festival, was killed in a plane crash. Only 26 years old, Redding and his band were booked at Cleveland’s Leo’s Casino and made an appearance in WEWS-TV’s Upbeat television show the previous day. On that show he performed his signature tune “Try a Little Tenderness” and a final song, “Knock on Wood” with Detroit’s Mitch Ryder as credits rolled. Redding was late for the taping and apologized to host Don Webster blaming some problems with his plane. After his appearance at Leo’s he boarded that same plane that crashed into the waters of Lake Monona near Madison. Also in that plane were members of the The Bar-Kays, Jimmy King, Ron Caldwell, Phalin Jones and Carl Cunningham. Only trumpet player Ben Cauley survived the crash. At Leo’s, Redding premiered his upcoming single destined to become his greatest hit, “(Sitting on the) Dock of the Bay”

Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio

1971
Frank Zappa sustains serious injuries when attacked by a jealous fan at London’s Rainbow Theater.

Meanwhile, at Ann Arbor’s Crisler Arena, John Lennon headlines an all star cast including Bob Seger, Phil Ochs, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen and Stevie Wonder in protest over the ten year sentence of White Panthers leader John Sinclair or two joints. Federal agents are in the audience taking photos and writing down Lennon’s lyrics. They mistakenly identify David Peel as Lennon in photos.

1973

Following time in the Herd and Humble Pie, Peter Frampton begins his solo career in the early seventies that includes a stop at the Cleveland Agora. It apparently meant a lot to him as he later saluted the city of Cleveland in song.

Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio

Meanwhile, in New York City, the infamous club CBGB opens its doors.

With dog crap from Hilly Crystal’s dog smearing the floor, and the smell of stale beer and vomit, CBGB’s becomes the epicenter of New York punk.

The cloth awning from the club later ended up at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1981

The J. Geils Band rocks the Coliseum on this date in 1981. Here’s a segment from that same tour that should bring back some memories.

Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio

2007
Led Zeppelin regroup at London’s 02 Arena as part of the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones join with drummer Jason Bonham, the son of the late drummer John Bonham. A million people took part in a ballot lottery with 20,000 tickets available for the show. All proceeds went to Ahmet Ertegun’s charity. We’ve included a soundboard recording of the band’s rehearsal.