🎸CLASSIC ROCK: Beatles & JFK | Black Sabbath Charts | Beach Boys Classic

What’s Happening Classic Rock Fans?,

Today, we’ve got the Beatles’ US breakthrough, Sabbath dominating UK charts, and emotional farewells to legends like Christine McVie. Plus, we’re celebrating rock birthdays and revisiting some pivotal moments in music history.

🤔 Rock Trivia Question:

What unusual job did Christine McVie have before joining Fleetwood Mac in 1970?

📰 Classic Rock News

💿 Did JFK’s Assassination Help The Beatles Break the US?
A new documentary, Beatles '64, explores how the Fab Four’s first US tour skyrocketed them to stardom. Paul McCartney reflects on the timing, noting that America was grieving JFK’s assassination and might have been looking for something uplifting. Many historians agree that The Beatles helped a mourning nation find joy again.
Read more about McCartney’s thoughts here.

💿 Peggy Caserta, Janis Joplin’s Former Lover, Dies at 84
Peggy Caserta, a pivotal figure in 1960s counterculture, passed away on Nov. 21. Her Haight-Ashbury boutique drew the likes of Janis Joplin, and their relationship became the subject of her controversial 1973 memoir. Caserta later disavowed the book, but her influence on the bohemian scene is undeniable.
Learn more about her remarkable life here.

💿 Rod Stewart Blasts Gregg Wallace Over Wife’s Treatment
Sir Rod Stewart has called out Gregg Wallace for humiliating his wife, Penny Lancaster, during her 2021 appearance on Celebrity MasterChef. Rod’s fiery comments come amidst new allegations of misconduct against Wallace. Fans of the show will remember Penny leaving the competition in tears.
Get the full story here.

💿 Black Sabbath Charts Three Albums in the UK
Three classic Black Sabbath albums, including Headless Cross, made their UK chart debut this week. Decades after their original releases, the band continues to draw new fans and reaffirm their legendary status.
Check out the surprising chart entries here.

📅 On This Day in Rock History

1958: The Crests release “16 Candles,” a tender doo-wop ballad that became one of the biggest hits of the era, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Pop chart. This timeless love song remains a classic, often associated with the innocence of 1950s rock and roll.
Relive the magic of “16 Candles” here.

1959: Billboard magazine breaks the news of the payola scandal that threatens to destroy the careers of at least 25 DJs. The investigation would shake the foundation of the radio industry, bringing down popular DJs who were accused of accepting bribes to play certain records.
Watch this mini-documentary on the Payola Scandal here.

1963: The Beach Boys’ “In My Room” cracks the Billboard Top 40, a track that Brian Wilson described as deeply personal. Its reflective lyrics and lush harmonies touched listeners and earned it a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame decades later.
Check out the updated visualizer for “In My Room” here.

1966: The Yardbirds announce that Jeff Beck is no longer a member of the band. Beck’s innovative guitar work had propelled the band to new heights, but tensions within the group led to his departure. This marked the beginning of Beck’s successful solo career.
Discover why Jeff Beck left The Yardbirds here.

1968: Diana Ross and The Supremes top the Billboard Pop chart with “Love Child.” This powerful song tackles the stigma of illegitimacy, a bold move for a Motown act at the time. The track’s social message and Ross’s emotional delivery made it a defining moment for the group.
Watch a TV performance of “Love Child” here.

1969: The Monkees play their final live show as a quartet in Oakland, California, marking the end of an era for the pop-rock group. By this point, the band was shifting from their TV persona to individual artistic pursuits, leaving fans nostalgic for their early days.
See a rare Monkees live performance here.

1969: Simon and Garfunkel’s first TV special airs, creating controversy with sponsor AT&T over its anti-establishment tone. The duo’s intimate performances and bold themes highlighted their status as voices of a generation during a tumultuous time in America.
Watch highlights from their 1967 Granada TV special here.

1972: Paul McCartney and Wings release “Hi, Hi, Hi,” a high-energy track brimming with innuendo and rock-and-roll swagger. The song was famously banned by the BBC for its supposed references to drugs and sex, cementing its rebellious reputation.
Listen to “Hi, Hi, Hi” here.

1982: Michael Jackson releases Thriller, a game-changing album that broke all records and revolutionized music videos. With tracks like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the titular “Thriller,” this masterpiece became a cultural phenomenon and remains the best-selling album of all time.
Revisit the groundbreaking “Thriller” video in 4K here.

2001: The city of Liverpool lowers its flags to half-staff to honor the passing of George Harrison, who died of cancer the day before at age 58. The quiet Beatle’s spiritual and musical legacy continues to inspire millions around the world.
Listen to George Harrison’s heartfelt “If Not For You” here.

🎂 Rock Star Birthdays

Roger Glover (78): The powerhouse bassist for Deep Purple helped craft hits like “Smoke on the Water.” Glover’s influence extended beyond the band as he produced albums for Judas Priest and Nazareth.
Watch his bass solo at Montreux here.

John Ashton (66): Guitarist for The Psychedelic Furs, Ashton’s work on tracks like “Pretty in Pink” defined the band’s post-punk sound. His guitar brought a unique, textured quality to their hits.
Check out “Pretty in Pink” here.

June Pointer (70): A member of The Pointer Sisters, June’s vibrant voice powered classics like “Jump (For My Love).” Though she passed away in 2006, her legacy lives on through her unforgettable music.
Watch her perform “I’m So Excited” live.

🕊️ Remembering a Legend

Christine McVie (79): The beloved vocalist and keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac passed away one year ago today. Her timeless songs like “Don’t Stop” and “Songbird” are etched in rock history.
Watch her perform “Songbird” live here.

Shane MacGowan (65): The charismatic frontman of The Pogues, MacGowan’s raspy voice made “Fairytale of New York” a Christmas staple.
Listen to “Fairytale of New York” here.

🎧 Essential Track for Today

“In My Room” by The Beach Boys
Released in 1963, this introspective ballad showcases Brian Wilson’s emotional depth and the band’s signature harmonies. The song captures the sanctuary and solace of a personal space, a place to dream, reflect, and find peace. Its simplicity and vulnerability struck a chord with listeners, earning it a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame. A cornerstone of The Beach Boys’ early work, it hints at the emotional complexity Wilson would master in later albums.
Listen to this beautiful track here.

🔦 Deep Track Spotlight

“Childhood’s End” by Pink Floyd
While not a household name like "Wish You Were Here," this track from the 1972 album Obscured by Clouds showcases Pink Floyd's transition into the progressive rock giants they became. Written by David Gilmour, the song features introspective lyrics and a hypnotic rhythm that foreshadows the band's later masterpieces.
Discover this hidden Pink Floyd gem here.

🌈 Rock & Roll Inspiration

In this world, I lock out
All my worries and my fears
In my room
In my room
Now it's dark and I'm alone
But I won't be afraid
In my room
In my room

Beach Boys - In My room

🤔 Trivia Answer:

Before her days with Fleetwood Mac, Christine McVie worked as a windowdresser in a Birmingham department store. She also studied sculpture at art college, considering a career as a visual artist before turning to music full-time.

Have a Rockin’ Day!
Hippy Pete