1878: 75 years before the creation of rock ‘n’ roll, something happened that was extremely important in rock history. It was on this day that Thomas Edison and his assistants created the phonograph. It started out to be a telegraph repeater, but Edison’s assistant made some changes based on sketches supplied by Edison.

1968: With its founder & leader, Syd Barrett, committed to a mental institution, Pink Floyd asks guitarist David Gilmour to be his replacement. As with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joining Fleetwood Mac, the move proves to be a resounding success.

1968: The San Francisco based band, Big Brother and the Holding Company with their lead singer, Janis Joplin, travels to New York for a gig at the Anderson Theater. Following their show, the band is signed by Columbia Records.

1963: The Beatles’ second single, “Please, Please Me,” is released in the UK. Their producer, George Martin, predicted during the recording session that it wold be their first #1. He was wrong. It peaked at #2.

But less than one year later, they will be holding down the #1 position on record charts all over the world. Alas, "Please, Please Me," while performing well all over the world, never reaches #1 on any chart.

1958: The phenomenal success of American Bandstand in the afternoons convinces ABC that Dick Clark should get a prime time series. The Dick Clark Show (sponsored by Beech-Nut Gum) debuts on this day with guests Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Willis, the Royal Teens and Johnnie Ray. 

1970: The Who take the stage at Leeds University in England. It will prove to be one of the legendary live concerts in rock history. A condensed version of the show becomes the band’s follow-up to their break-through album, “Tommy,” cementing the Who’s reputation as one of rock’s best live acts. In the CD era, the entire show is finally made available to the public.

1961: Frank Sinatra announces the formation of his own record label. Sinatra vows the label will NEVER sign any rock & roll acts. Among the acts who will eventually record for Reprise: Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Electric Prunes, Black Sabbath, Frank Zappa, Kinks, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac and the Beach Boys.

1967: British police raid the Sussex home of Rolling Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards. To no one’s surprise, various “substances of a suspicious nature” are found. Richards and visiting friends Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithful are all arrested.

The entire raid sparks a great deal of controversy, not because of the alleged drugs, but because many are convinced the raid was done at the behest of Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World, in retaliation for a lawsuit against the tabloid filed by Jagger.

1967: Due to increasing criticism about being a “manufactured” rock band, the Monkees announce that they will play their own instruments on future releases. While Mickey, Davy, Michael and Peter do gain more control over their records, session musicians will still lend a helping hand.

1974: Legendary (and now infamous) record producer Phil Spector is seriously burned in a car crash while driving from L.A. to Phoenix. He requires extensive plastic surgery which only increases his already serious reclusiveness.