Time to take a look back into this day in rock history: January 23
What is this? “Footloose”? In an effort to rein in the devil’s music of rock and roll, Cleveland officials try to enforce a 1931 law that bans anyone under the age of 18 from dancing in public (unless accompanied by an adult). It soon becomes evident that, like Prohibition years before, there’s no way the law can be effectively enforced. Did that include polkas?
Early Pink Floyd converges on Sound Techniques Studios, in Chelsea, London to work on Syd Barrett’s “Arnold Layne” and “Candy and A Current Bun”. Roger Waters would later say, “Arnold Layne” was based on a real person, a transvestite whose primary pastime was stealing women’s clothes and undergarments from washing lines in Cambridge”, which somehow is not mentioned in promotional materials for the songs.
1971
Three Dog Night in its pre “Joy to the World” credibility days draws huge crowds to shows including their stop at Cleveland Public Hall.Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio
No more Steel Mill. The early Bruce Springsteen band plays its final show at the Upstage Club, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Springsteen would form new bands during the rest of the year, with names like Bruce Springsteen Jam, Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom, and finally (better sit down for this) the Bruce Springsteen Band.
1973
With yet another album named after a Marx Brother movie, Queen plays to a packed house at the Richfield Coliseum.Poster courtesy Raw Sugar Studio
2014
Donna the Buffalo was named by mistake. Members misheard “Dawn of the Buffalo”, but the name stuck. Big favorite at the Kent Stage.Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio
