Today in rock history 3rd November

1957 – Sun Records releases Jerry Lee Lewis’ definitive single “Great Balls of Fire.” The single becomes his biggest hit, peaking at No. 2. 1958 -Elvis Presley went on maneuvers for the first time with the US Army’s 32nd Tank Regiment near the German, Czech border. 1964 – The mayor of Cleveland bans the Rolling Stones following a 17-year-old’s fall from a balcony during their gig at the Public Hall. 1977 – A Santa Monica (Calif.) Superior Court orders Bob Dylan to return his children to his estranged wife, Sara. He had been granted temporary custody while his ex- set up house in Hawaii. 1977 – Elton John announces he’s retiring from the stage during a concert in London. By February 1979, he was at it again. 1978 – The Cars arrive in England to begin a mini-tour promoting their debut single, “Just What I Needed.” 1991 – More than 300,000 people attend a free concert in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in memory of rock promoter Bill Graham. Among the acts performing are the Grateful Dead; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Joan Baez; Santana; and Journey (which reunited for the event). 1992 – The Grateful Dead announce they are discontinuing their tradition of playing a San Francisco concert on New Year’s Eve. 1995 – Hootie & the Blowfish reach an out-of-court settlement with Bob Dylan. The band had used a portion of Dylan’s lyrics in its hit “Only Wanna Be With You.” 1997 – Metallica came to a out of court agreement with a fan who claimed he lost his sense of smell after being dropped on his head by fans at one of their shows four years earlier. 2003 – Making a clear indication that nothing is beneath them, Aerosmith perform the Hank Williams Jr. classic theme song “Are You Ready For Some Football?” live on Monday Night Football. 2004 – Guitar legend Eric Clapton is made a CBE at Buckingham Palace. 2005 – With two trophies apiece, Coldplay and Green Day are the big winners at the 12th MTV Europe Music Awards, held at the Atlantic Pavilion in Lisbon. 2011 – Cory Smoot, the guitarist who portrayed the character of Flattus Maximus dies.