Time to take a look back into this day in rock history: December 31
On the same day the Beatles “I Feel Fine” is certified gold, John Lennon’s estranged father Freddie Lennon releases a tune titled “That’s My Life (My Love and My Home)” to capitalize on his son’s success. John tells off the old man and just as the song is getting some airplay it disappears, possibly due to pressure from his son bringing an end to his singing career.
Jimi Hendrix debuts his “Band of Gypsies” at the Fillmore East New Year’s Eve show. The new band includes drummer Buddy Miles and Billy Cox on bass.
Paul McCartney files suit to dissolve the Beatles’ corporation, and Melody Maker reports the Beatles may be looking for a new bass player. It would take almost four years for the split to be finalized.
Move over Guy Lombardo. ABC-TV airs Dick Clark’s first Rockin’ New Years Eve It stars Three Dog Night and Helen Reddy among others. Clark would return as host every year until his 2004 stroke.
That’s enough! Detroit’s MC5 plays its final gig at the Grande Ballroom’s New Years Eve celebration. They take home a grand total of $200! The band had a long history with the Grande and this final concert ends on a bad note for everyone.
Meanwhile Blue Oyster Cult and Uriah Heep have a much better night at the Richfield Coliseum.
Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio
But just three years later at that same venue, Bruce Springsteen is injured onstage by a cherry bomb thrown from the audience.
Def Leppard drummer’s Rick Allen lost his arm in a drag racing accident in England, Doctors reattached the arm but, sadly, it had to be removed three days later. Allan was able to continue his drumming career with a specially designed kit.
And yet another tragedy just one year later. The original teenage idol, Rick Nelson, is killed in a private plane crash enroute to a New Year’s Eve gig near Dallas, Texas. It’s determined that a faulty heater on board the plane may have caused the crash.
