Today in rock history 8th March

1946 – Born on this day, Randy Meisner, guitar, Poco, The Eagles.

1947 – Michael Allsup (Three Dog Night) is born this day

1948 – Mel Galley (Whitesnake) is born this day

1949 – Born on this day, Dave Lambert, The Strawbs.

1957 – Born on this day, Clive Burr, Iron Maiden

1965 – David Bowie made his TV debut with The Manish Boys on a UK program called ‘Gadzooks!

1968 – The Fillmore East opens in New York City.

1968 – Appearing at New York’s Filmore East, Albert King, Janis Joplin and Tim Buckley.

1969 – The Small Faces split up after singer Steve Marriott announced he was leaving the band. Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones linked up with Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart and formed The Faces.

1973 – Paul McCartney is arrested for growing marijuana on his farm in Scotland. “Paul McCartney pleads guilty to having grown marijuana on his Scottish farm. He’s fined the British equivalent of $240. The singer explains that a fan gave him the seeds, and he didn’t know what kind of plants would blossom.

1974 – Bad Company gives its debut performance in Newcastle-upon-Tyne,

1975 – The NME reports that the Rolling Stones are trying out guitarist Wayne Perkins as a replacement for Mick Taylor.

1982 – Elton John begins tour of New Zealand, his first for two years.

1987 – Bob Seger tells an audience at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena he’s on his last tour. The rocker returned to the road shortly afterward.

2004 – The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office charge troubled ex-Hole leader Courtney Love with disorderly conduct.

2004 – Jack White of the White Stripes pleads guilty to simple assault and battery and is sentenced to probation and anger management therapy. White beat up the lead singer of the Von Bondies at Detroit’s Magic Stick club in December 2003.

2009 – A blue plaque in honour of The Who drummer Keith Moon was unveiled on the site of the Marquee Club in Soho, London, where in 1964 the band played the first of 29 gigs there. Fans on scooters turned up to pay tribute to Moon.

2011 – ‘American Idiot’ Ticket Sales Plummet on This Day In Rock! Ticket sales for the Broadway production of American Idiot have fallen ever since Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong left the cast at the end of February.

2011 – Phil Collins of Genesis, Singer and drummer has announced his retirement so that he can spend more time with his family and sons.

2016 - Sir George Martin, the fifth Beatle, dies aged 90.