Today in rock history 8th February

1961 – Vince Neil of Motley Crue is born. 1964 – On their first full day in New York, The Beatles (minus George who had a sore throat), went for a photo-opportunity walk around Central Park. Extra police were called in to keep fans away. 1969 – George Harrison has his tonsils removed at a London hospital. 1969 - Ginger Baker & Eric Clapton of Cream announced that they have formed Blind Faith with Steve Winwood. 1971 - Frank Zappa was forced to cancel a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall after venue officials deemed Zappa’s classical opus 200 Motels to be obscene & refuse to allow its performance. 1975 – Bob Dylan went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Blood On The Tracks’ his second US No.1 album. 1977 – Born on this day, Dave ‘Phoenix’ Ferrel, bass, Linkin Park. 1980 – The divorce became final between David and Angie Bowie. He won custody of their son Zowie, (now known as Joe), Angie received a £30,000 ($51,000) settlement. 1981 – R.E.M. made their first ever-recording sessions at Bombay Studios Smyrna, Georgia. Tracks included ‘Gardening At Night’, ‘Radio Free Europe’ and ‘(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville.’ 1990 – Singer Del Shannon dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 1994 – Oasis were forced to cancel their first foreign tour after they were deported from Holland. The band were involved in a drunken brawl on a cross-channel ferry resulting in members of the band being arrested and locked in the brig on the ferry. 1997 – Reef went to No.1 on the UK album charts with their debut album ‘Glow.’ 2002 – The wooden church stage where John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met is saved from demolition when the Liverpool City Council votes to dismantle the stage and store it rather than demolish it to make way for renovations. 2005 – Keith Knudson drummer with The Doobie Brothers died of pneumonia aged 56.