🎸CLASSIC ROCK: Ozzy Turns 75 | Top 100 Albums 2024 | Beatles Breakup Document...

What’s Happening Classic Rock Fans?,

We’ve got rockin’ stories today, from The Beatles' legal drama going under the hammer to Elton John's emotional update, today’s issue is packed with surprises. We’re also diving into AC/DC's long-awaited tour announcement and a look back at the legendary flying pig from Pink Floyd's "Animals" shoot.

🤔 Rock Trivia Question: 

Which AC/DC album became their best-selling worldwide, solidifying their place as rock legends? (Hint: It was recorded after a tragic band loss!) Scroll down for the answer…

📰 Classic Rock News

💿 2024’s 100 Best Albums List Hits the Charts!
This year gave us blockbuster hits and hidden gems, with sounds spanning the spectrum from soulful ballads to adrenaline-pumping anthems. The comprehensive list includes some wild surprises and future classics—perfect for gifting yourself some new ear candy.
Discover 2024's top albums here!

💿 Elton John Reveals Heartbreaking Health Update
In a moving moment at the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada," Sir Elton John shared that he’s been unable to see due to a severe eye infection. Despite this challenge, Elton’s unwavering spirit shone through as he praised his husband for being his "rock."
Read Elton’s powerful statement here.

💿 Beatles’ Break-Up Documents Going, Going… Gone?
Unearthed legal papers exposing the bitter end of The Beatles are up for auction. With insights into their fractured relationships and financial woes, these documents paint a poignant picture of rock's most iconic band.
The Beatles' history on the Auction Block!

💿 AC/DC Announces Spring 2025 Stadium Tour!
It’s official—AC/DC is hitting the U.S. stage for the first time in nearly a decade! Starting this spring, they’ll bring their electrifying "Power Up" tour to 13 cities across North America.
See the tour dates here.

📅 On This Day in Rock History

1956: RCA Victor announced their record deal with Elvis Presley. This landmark agreement would lead to the reissue of many of Elvis's earlier tracks with Sun Records before the month's end, setting the stage for his meteoric rise to fame.
Watch Elvis's electrifying performance that changed music forever!

1964: The animated TV special "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" debuted on CBS, featuring Burl Ives as the voice of Sam the Snowman. Based on the 1949 song, this special would become a beloved holiday tradition for generations to come.
Relive the magic of this timeless Christmas classic!

1965: The Beatles released their landmark album "Rubber Soul." This album marked a significant shift in the band's musical style, incorporating elements of folk rock and more introspective lyrics. It was later named the second greatest guitar album of all time by Mojo magazine
.Watch a Full Documentary on Rubber Soul

1965: In Sacramento, CA, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones was shocked and knocked unconscious during a concert when his guitar made contact with his microphone. This incident highlighted the potential dangers of live performances in rock music.
See The Rolling Stones' electrifying live performances from the 60s!

1968: A TV special simply called "Elvis" aired on NBC, revitalizing the career of Elvis Presley. The special, which featured footage from two June concerts, drew a huge audience and concluded with the powerful performance of "If I Can Dream".
Watch Elvis's comeback performance that stunned the world!

1971: Deep Purple arrived in Montreux, Switzerland, to record their "Machine Head" album at the Montreux Casino. The next day, the casino burned down, forcing the band to record in a hotel using the Rolling Stones' mobile unit. This event inspired their hit song "Smoke on the Water".
Hear the iconic riff that was born from disaster!

1976: During a photoshoot for Pink Floyd's "Animals" album cover, a 40-foot inflatable pig broke free from Battersea Power Station in London. The pig reached a height of 18,000 feet before coming down in Kent, creating a surreal moment in rock history.
See the infamous flying pig that became a rock legend!

1978: The Cure drummer Lol Tolhurst accidentally urinated on Billy Idol backstage after a show in Bristol, England. This incident led to The Cure being kicked off the tour the next day, showcasing the sometimes chaotic nature of rock tours.
Dive into The Cure's early days and their rise to fame!

1994: Adam Sandler performed "The Chanukah Song" on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update segment. The song, which humorously listed Jewish celebrities, became a hit and reached #10 on the US charts the following year, adding a touch of comedy to rock history.
Laugh along with Adam Sandler's hilarious holiday hit!

🎂 Rock Star Birthdays

Ozzy Osbourne turns 75 on December 3rd. Best known as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath and for his successful solo career, Ozzy is often referred to as the "Prince of Darkness." He gained further popularity in the early 2000s with the reality TV show "The Osbournes." Interestingly, Ozzy has recently returned to smoking marijuana, despite his long history of substance abuse struggles.
Watch Ozzy's iconic "Paranoid" performance that defined heavy metal!

Mickey Thomas celebrates his 74th birthday on December 3rd. He's best known as one of the lead vocalists of Jefferson Starship and Starship. Thomas sang on the band's biggest hit, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," which reached No. 1 in both the UK and US in 1987. Before joining Jefferson Starship, Thomas worked with the Elvin Bishop Group, showcasing his versatility as a rock vocalist
.Experience the soaring vocals of Mickey Thomas in Starship's biggest hit!

John Wilson, drummer for the Irish rock and blues band Taste, turns 75 on December 3rd. Taste was founded by the legendary guitarist and songwriter Rory Gallagher. The band's 1970 album "On The Boards" reached No. 18 on the UK charts. Wilson's powerful drumming was a key component of Taste's raw, energetic sound that helped bridge the gap between blues and hard rock in the late 1960s.
Witness the explosive energy of Taste featuring John Wilson's drumming!

Kimberley Rew, turning 72, is best known as the guitarist for the British-American rock band Katrina and the Waves. He wrote their massive 1985 hit "Walking on Sunshine." Interestingly, Rew and the band also won the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest with "Love Shine a Light," showcasing their enduring popularity across different decades and musical formats.
Relive the feel-good vibes of Katrina and the Waves' biggest hit, written by Kimberley Rew!

🕊️ Remembering a Legend

Scott Weiland, lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, died on December 3, 2015, at the age of 48. Weiland was known for his powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence, helping to define the grunge and alternative rock sound of the 1990s. He was found in cardiac arrest on his tour bus in Bloomington, Minnesota, just before a scheduled performance with his band The Wildabouts. Despite his struggles with substance abuse, Weiland left an indelible mark on rock music.
Watch Scott Weiland's electrifying performance of "Plush" that defined a generation!

🎧 Essential Track for Today

"If I Can Dream" – Elvis Presley
Recorded during his 1968 comeback special, this song captures Elvis’s powerful hope for a better world.
Feel the King’s passion here!

🔦 Deep Track Spotlight

"Sick as a Dog" – Aerosmith
A lesser-known gem from Rocks (1976), this track showcases Steven Tyler’s storytelling.
Discover Aerosmith’s hidden gem!

🌈 Rock & Roll Inspiration

Don't you know I'm still standin' better than I ever did?
Lookin' like a true survivor, feelin' like a little kid
And I'm still standin' after all this time
Pickin' up the pieces of my life without you on my mind

Elton John - I’m Still Standing

🤔 Trivia Answer: 

Back in Black cemented AC/DC’s global success, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Have a Rockin' Day!
Hippy Pete