August 12, 2009, we lose Les Paul, the Wizard of Waukesha. He’s known by that nickname because Waukesha is his hometown, and Wizard part is because he’s an innovator in multi-track recording, as well as making the solid body electric guitar. Of course, you can’t hear the name Les Paul and not think about the Gibson Les Paul guitar, synonymous with so many amazing guitar players and Les of course himself a guitar player with a number of hits to his name.
Today in 1997, MTV debuts the Fleetwood Mac reunion concert, “The Dance.” This is the first time the five hit members of the band have been on stage together since 1982.
Today in 1991, Metallica released their self-titled album, also known as the Black Album.
On this date in 1970, Janis Joplin plays Harvard. It’s her final concert. She wraps it up by doing Gershwin’s “Summertime”, and within two months, she’s passed away at only 27 years old, another member of the 27 Club.
Today in 1968, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham play together for the first time.
And then we look at the calendar, we find a rock birthday on it. Born today in 1949, guitarist and lead vocalist from Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler.
