Today in rock history 13th July

1942 – Drummer Stephen Jo Bladd of the J. Geils Band is born in Boston. 1942 - Roger McGuinn-singer & guitarist for The Byrds born today 1955 – Twisted Sister bassist, Mark Mendoza born today 1957 – Elvis tops the English charts for the first time with “All Shook Up.” 1962 – Bob Dylan signs a deal with the music publisher Witmark. 1967 – Herman’s Hermits kick off their North American tour in Calgary, Alberta. With The Who opening up for them 1968 – Steppenwolf release “Born to Be Wild” to the delight of bikers everywhere. The lyrics are responsible for the term “heavy metal.” 1968: Black Sabbath performed their first concert at a blues club in Birmingham, U.K. At the time of this performance they were known as Earth. 1969 – New York’s Flushing Meadows Singer Bowl plays host to a festival that sees sets from the Jeff Beck Group, Vanilla Fudge, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After, and Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin literally play a set that no one can follow, and Vanilla Fudge pull out of the lineup rather than try to top the heavy metal quartet. During the Jeff Beck Group’s set, John Bonham strips off his clothes and has to be bundled off stage. The evening ends with various musicians performing “Jailhouse Rock.” 1973 – Queen release their self-titled debut album. 1974 – Eric Clapton releases his hit version of “I Shot the Sheriff.” 1978 – The BBC bans the Sex Pistols song “No One Is Innocent.” 1981 – Bob Dylan gives a press conference in Denmark after having seen an interview with an imposter in a Danish newspaper. He answers questions for two hours. 1984 – The Jacksons’ Victory tour reaches Dallas, where Eddie Van Halen joins Michael Jackson on stage to perform “Beat It.” 1985: Live Aid, spearheaded by Bob Geldof to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia was held in London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium. Performers included Sting, U2, Dire Straits, Queen, David Bowie, The Who, Elton John, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Bryan Adams, Neil Young and Led Zeppelin. 1991: Bryan Adams went to number one for a record 16 weeks on the U.K. singles chart with “(Eveything I Do) I Do It for You” a record that still stands to this day. 1993 – At the All-Star baseball game in Baltimore, Rush’s Geddy Lee treats the audience to his interpretation of “Oh Canada.” 2002 – Oasis, Gomez, No Doubt, Starsailor, Foo Fighters, Chemical Brothers and Green Day all appeared at this years two day T In The Park Festival at Kinross, Scotland. 2004 – New York Dolls bassist Arthur Kane dies in Los Angeles due to complications from leukemia. He is 55. 2006 – Evanescence’s Amy Lee reveals that bassist William Boyd is the latest musician to leave her multi-platinum band 2007 – Rod Stewart collected his CBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.