Time to take a look back into this day in rock history: October 20
1955
This was the big one. It was Elvis’ debut as a rock and roll performer north of the Mason-Dixon Line and it was filmed as part of a movie about WERE disc jockey Bill Randle titled “The Pied Piper of Cleveland”. There have been rumors over the years about what happened to the film, but it was shown once, and Randle didn’t like the way it was edited. He owned the rights and pulled the film for re-editing but, according to fellow DJ Carl Reese, didn’t want to pay for the additional work because “he was Bill Randle”. There were stories that Japanese broadcasting and the BBC had the film, but there is still a $1-million reward for anyone who can produce a copy.
Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio
This photo was taken by WERE’s Tommy Edwards backstage at Brooklyn High.
What happened the night before night have been more significant. Elvis opened for Kitty Wells and Faron Young at Cleveland’s Circle Theater at one of Edward’s “Hillbilly Hayride” shows. He was set up at a card table in the lobby to sign autographs and pretty much sat alone for the rest of the night
1969
John Lennon and Yoko Ono release their box set Wedding Album, a sonic experiment full of sound effects, photos from their nuptials, a picture of their wedding cake and other souvenirs. Give it a listen and then watch the review.
1977
One of the great tragedies of the rock and roll era. Just three days after the release of their sixth album Street Survivors, a small plane crash claims the lives of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their manager was also killed with other band members seriously injured. In a bizarre coincidence, their latest album shows the group emerging from flames.2019
Mat Kearney took a giant leap from coffee houses to the Kent Stage. Cell phones captured him at the October show.
Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio
