This Weekend in Music History

August 23rd, 1967 - While celebrating a wild birthday party at a Holiday Inn, The Who's drummer Keith Moon accidentally drives a car into the hotel swimming pool. Moon was attempting to avoid having to talk to police who had arrived to break up the party. He quietly slipped out the back, climbed into a Lincoln Continental limousine, but in his inebriated state released the handbrake and began rolling towards the pool before realizing what was about to happen.

August 23rd, 1969 - The Rolling Stones start a four week run at No.1 on the singles chart with 'Honky Tonk Women'. It's the band's fifth No.1 in the US, and was inspired by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' trip to a Brazilian ranch in Matao, Sao Paulo.

August 24th, 1967 - Bruce Springsteen joins a group called Earth at the young age of 17. The band consists of two other Ocean County College students, John Graham on bass and Michael Burke on drums. They would later be joined by a former ‘Castile’, (Springsteen’s previous band), Bob Alfano who would play the organ for them.

August 24th, 1975 - Queen starts recording ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ at Rockfield studio’s in Wales. The band sang their vocal parts continually for 10-12 hours a day, three days straight, resulting in 180 separate overdubs. Guitarist Brian May recalled placing the tape in front of a light and being able to see through it, as they had been recording so intensely.

August 25th, 1970 - Elton John makes his American debut as he kicks off a legendary six-night sold-out run at the Troubadour in L.A. In the audience that night were Don Henley, Quincy Jones and Leon Russell. The six shows were the start of a 17 date tour which would propel Elton John into the spotlight. Robert Hilburn, music critic for the Los Angeles Times, wrote: “Tuesday night at the Troubadour was just the beginning. He’s going to be one of rock’s biggest and most important stars.”

August 25th, 1994 - Jimmy Buffett crashes his Grumman G-44 Widgeon seaplane on take-off in Nantucket, Massachusetts. The airplane nosed over, and Buffett was able to swim to safety with only minor injuries. He credits his survival to Navy survival training he had to complete before being able to ride in an F-14 Tomcat.