1979: An all-star benefit performance, the Concerts for the People of Kampuchea premieres at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Topping the bill are organizer Paul McCartney, the Who, Queen, and an all-star "Rockestra."

1970: Elvis Presley visits the White House to have President Nixon make him an honorary deputy of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Presley pledges his unwavering help in fighting the war on drugs.

At the time, the irony of this moment is lost on all of us.

1975: A former member of the James Gang and already a successful solo artist, Joe Walsh joins the Eagles, replacing Bernie Leadon, who left after the band decided to pursue a more rock-based sound.

Good decision, as their first album with Walsh and more rock, Hotel California, goes on to become the best-selling LP in the group’s long, mega-successful career.

1955: Carl Perkins records "Blue Suede Shoes", a song that he wrote after seeing a young man get angry at his date for scuffing his shoes. Even though today Elvis Presley's version is better known today, his cover only made it to # 20 on the Billboard Top 100. Perkins' original went to # 2 and stayed on the chart for 17 weeks.

1975: Bruce Springsteen performs his first concert in the UK at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Springsteen is so upset at the hype arranged by his label (Columbia) that he rips down posters in the lobby that proclaim: "Finally, London is ready for Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.” Critics also resent the hype and pan the show.

Fast forward to 2006 when the concert is finally released as both a CD and a DVD. The release quickly wipes away the common misperception that the show had been a flop (the band performs 3 encores) and remains the only official release of a complete concert from the Boss’ early days.

1969: The man who shot to stardom almost overnight on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki Budinger in a live ceremony on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson . The program is watched by 40 million people, earning the second largest ratings of any show up to that time. The couple lived apart during the marriage and split seven years later.

It’s been a great day for break-ups in rock.

1974: Mick Taylor, who replaced founding member Brian Jones, announces he's leaving the Rolling Stones. He'll be replaced by a former member of the (Small) Faces, guitarist Ron Wood.

1974: Glitter rockers, Mott the Hoople call it quits.

1983: And the Who officially break up (again). Like past break-ups, this one doesn’t last either.

Happy Birthday to Alan Freed (1922 – The DJ credited with coining the term “rock ‘n’roll”), Clyde McPhatter (1932 – The Drifters), Cindy Birdsong (1939 – The Supremes), Dave Clark (1942 – Dave Clark Five) and Carmine Appice (1946 – Vanilla Fudge)

1977: Just as the disco craze was losing steam, Saturday Night Fever opens in New York City starring John Travolta and featuring the music of the Bee Gees (in the midst of their own comeback). The film pumps new life into discos and turns the Bee Gees into the world’s #1 group of the moment.

1974: President Gerald Ford invites George Harrison to the White House for lunch. George arrive “plus two” with Ravi Shankar and Billy Preston in tow. When Harrison gives the Pres a button with the word "OM" on it, referring to meditation, Ford responds by giving George with a "WIN" (Whip Inflation Now) button.

It would be only three years before “Harrison-Ford” would take on a whole new meaning.