This Day in Rock History: May 9
1935
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Nokie Edwards, of the Ventures, was born in Lahoma, OK. He died in 2018 at the age of 82.
1937
American singer-songwriter Sonny Curtis, formerly of Buddy Holly’s band, the Crickets, was born in Meadow, TX. He remained with the Crickets after Holly’s death, as the lead vocalist from 1962 to 1985, and again from 1994 to the band’s disbandment in 2016. Curtis would go on to write hit songs like I Fought the Law, Love is All Around and Walk Right Back. Happy 88th birthday, Sonny!
1944
American musician Richie Furay, founding member of Buffalo Springfield, was born in Yellow Springs, OH. Early in his music career he performed with Stephen Stills in New York City, before the pair joined several other prominent musicians to form Buffalo Springfield. After the breakup of Buffalo Springfield, Furay co-founded country rock band Poco. Happy 81st Birthday, Richie!
1945
American guitarist Steve Katz, formerly of Blood, Sweat & Tears, was born in Brooklyn, NY. He was a founding member for Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1967, and would later go on to produce music for Lou Reed. Happy 80th birthday, Steve!
1949
American musician Billy Joel was born in The Bronx, NY. The “Piano Man” embarked on one of the most successful solo careers in music history, starting in the early 1970s. Joel is known for several hit songs, like it’s Still rock and Roll to Me, Piano Man and We Didn’t Start the Fire, along with his talent behind a piano. Happy 76th birthday, Billy!
1950
American bassist Tom Petersson, of Cheap Trick, was born in Rockford, IL. He co-founded Cheap Trick in his hometown of Rockford in 1973, after the dissolution of his progressive rock band Fuse. He’d leave the band in 1980 to record a solo album with his wife, Dagmar, before rejoining the band in 1987. Happy 75th birthday, Tom!
1962
English singer Dave Gahan, founding member of Depeche Mode, was born in Epping, England. He formed Depeche Mode in 1980, and has fronted the band ever since. Happy 63rd birthday, Dave!
1964
Chuck Berry held his first concert in the U.K., performing at Astoria Theatre in London. The Animals were the opener that night.
1969
George Harrison released his second solo album, Electric Sound.
1970
American Woman by the Guess Who reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. They were the first Canadian rock band to top the U.S. charts.
1974
Bachman-Turner Overdrive II went gold, making it the first gold record for Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The record features Let it Ride and Takin’ Care of Business.
1987
Europe‘s The Final Countdown peaks at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Album chart, which went on to sell over three million copies in the U.S.
2020
Rock and roll pioneer Little Richard died of a bone cancer-related illness at the age of 87 in Tullahoma, TN.
