On this day in rock history, Led Zeppelin performed the second of two nights at the Knebworth Festival in Hertfordshire (1979). The concert was hardly their best and, sadly, it would turn out to be their last show with the original lineup on British soil.

The day before the Beatles' 1966 U.S. tour was about to begin, John Lennon held a press conference to apologize and clarify comments he made in the London Evening Standard where he said that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." The remarks made little impact when published in Britain a few months prior, but in America it set off a wave of controversy, causing many radio stations to ban their music and organize bonfires for their records and memorabilia. The group also received death threats. It would be their last-ever tour.

A concert by the Who in 1964 nearly got derailed before it started when Roger Daltrey's father-in-law didn't like the fact that he was spending more time with the band than with his pregnant wife, whom he had recently married. The two men stepped outside, where Daltrey got punched. Daltrey and his wife separated in 1968.

Celebrating a birthday today is Joe Jackson. The singer of "Is She Really Going Out With Him" and "Steppin' Out" turns 61.

Watch an exciting recap of many of the day’s biggest rock anniversaries above, narrated by our radio host Zach Martin. And learn more about these important events by clicking the links below.

News Anniversaries:
Roger Daltrey got punched at a gig...by his father-in-law. (1964)
John Lennon apologizes for saying the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." (1966)
Led Zeppelin play their last U.K. concert at Knebworth. (1979)

Birthdays:
Joe Jackson (1954). Check out his Top 10 Songs here.

See the Beatles and Other Rockers in the Top 100 Albums of the '60s

 

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