1974: Grand Funk Railroad hits the top of the charts with their Todd Rundgren-produced cover version of Little Eva’s classic early rocker “The Loco-Motion.” It is only the second time the original version and a later cover version both hit #1. The first time was “Go Away Little Girl,” a hit for Steve Lawrence in 1963 and little Donny Osmond in 1971.

1968: The Beach Boys begin a 17-city tour with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Boys played first, then the Maharishi lectured the crowd on “spiritual enlightenment.”

Reaction is so bad more than half the tour dates are canceled.

1972: John Hammond, the man responsible for signing Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan to the Columbia record label, auditions a young Jersey boy named Bruce Springsteen. Hammond is so impressed, he immediately arranges for Bruce to appear at New York City’s Gaslight Club that night so Hammond can bring the label's top brass to hear him as well.

1955: Probably the most significant move in recording label history: Chess Records signs a new artist recommended to them by Muddy Waters. Chuck Berry will soon embark on a series of recordings that define the music known as rock ‘n’ roll.

1977: Led Zeppelin play to the largest concert crowd for a single act to that date when 76,229 fans crowd into the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

The previous record had been held by the Who, also at the Silverdome.

1976: Following his concert in Memphis, Bruce Springsteen takes a cab to the Graceland mansion, hoping to meet Elvis Presley.

Turned away at the gate, Springsteen scales a wall and attempts to crash his way into meeting the King. It turns out Elvis is away from Memphis at the time and Bruce is escorted off the grounds by security without further incident.

1990: Axl Rose of Guns ‘n’ Roses marries the daughter of rock legend Don Everly, Erin Everly. True love conquers all - the marriage lasts 27 days.

1963: Little Peggy March reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her recording of “I Will Follow Him.” At 15, she is the youngest female to ever hit #1. BTW – She hated the name “Little.” It was added to her professional billing by her record label, over her very strenuous objections.

1963: Teen singing idol, Frankie Avalon signs a deal to appear in his 9^th film – a little low-budget quickie called Beach Party. His co-star will be Annette Funicello on loan from the Disney Studio. Little does he know, Frankie is about to launch one of the most successful film series in Hollywood history to that point and also create the image he retains to this day.

1981: Following a spate of death threats he received following the death of John Lennon, Paul McCartney officially disbands Wings and temporarily stops touring.