Rock History: October 28
Notable rock and roll releases, performances, chart milestones, and events that happened on October 28 throughout history.
Elvis Presley made his second Ed Sullivan Show appearance, performing “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Hound Dog.” Sullivan also presented him with a Gold record for “Love Me Tender.”
Buddy Holly lip-synched “It’s So Easy” and “Heartbeat” on American Bandstand in what became his final major television appearance.
Brian Epstein later said customer Raymond Jones asked for Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers’ “My Bonnie” at his Liverpool shop, prompting his search for the Beatles. Although assistant Alistair Taylor claimed he invented the customer, historian Spencer Leigh later located a real Raymond Jones who confirmed Epstein’s account.
The Beatles and Little Richard began a two-week engagement at Hamburg’s Star-Club. There they befriended Little Richard’s sixteen-year-old organist Billy Preston, beginning a lifelong musical relationship.
The Beach Boys released “Be True to Your School,” whose melody borrowed Hawthorne High’s “Scarlet and Gold” fight song. It and B-side “In My Room” were the last 1960s recordings to feature original member David Marks.
Britain’s Musicians’ Union opposed government plans for a continuous pop station to replace pirate radio, fearing recorded music would eliminate live jobs. The dispute later influenced Radio 1’s balance of records and live sessions.
Diana Ross and the Supremes’ Greatest Hits began five weeks atop Billboard’s album chart. Florence Ballard appeared on the cover and recordings despite having been replaced by Cindy Birdsong before release.
The Guess Who earned an American Gold record for “Laughing.” Written by Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, the No. 10 hit capped the Winnipeg group’s breakthrough year in the United States.
The United States Council for World Affairs adopted the Who’s “Join Together” as its official theme, responding to Pete Townshend’s appeal for unity and peace.
Steve Perry made his first Journey concert appearance at San Francisco’s Old Waldorf. Over the next decade he led the band through seventeen Billboard Top 40 entries.
Warner Bros. released Neil Young’s Decade, covering work from 1966 through 1976. The compilation reached No. 43 in America and No. 46 in Britain and was certified Platinum in 1986.
Queen released News of the World, featuring “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions,” and “Spread Your Wings.” The album reached No. 3 in America and No. 4 in Britain.
Nick Gilder’s “Hot Child in the City” reached No. 1 in America, his only U.S. hit. He had previously topped Canada’s chart with “Roxy Roller” as a member of Sweeney Todd.
Former Orleans drummer Wells Kelly collapsed and died outside a London apartment while touring with Meat Loaf. An examination found high levels of morphine and cocaine.
The Beatles released Anthology 3, collecting rarities and alternate recordings from their final two years. It topped Billboard, went triple Platinum in America, and reached No. 4 with Platinum status in Britain.
A Frisbee Kenny Rogers threw after a Dallas show struck a chandelier and showered Kevin O’Toole with glass. O’Toole, who needed seventy stitches, sued for $2 million, while his wife filed a related loss-of-companionship claim.
British police questioned Gary Glitter for ten hours during the investigation stemming from the Jimmy Savile scandal. He was charged in 2014 with historical child-sex offenses and later received a sixteen-year prison sentence; before his crimes eclipsed his career, he had eighteen UK Top 40 hits.
Conrad Murray was released from a Los Angeles jail after serving nearly two years for involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson’s death. California overcrowding rules shortened his four-year sentence.
The Allman Brothers Band played its announced farewell at New York’s Beacon Theatre, ending a forty-five-year career with three sets focused largely on the first five albums.
Phil Collins told Rolling Stone he was ending retirement and planned a home studio, new solo album, and tour, leading to the successful Not Dead Yet arena run.
Rod Stewart performed “Please,” from Another Country, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The Wonder of You became Elvis Presley’s thirteenth UK No. 1 album, breaking his twelve-album tie with Madonna for the most chart-topping LPs by a solo artist there.
Tom Petty’s Wildflowers returned posthumously to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart after a reissue sold more than 44,000 units in two weeks.
Whitney Houston became the first Black artist with three Diamond-certified American albums when Whitney joined her debut and The Bodyguard soundtrack above ten million equivalent U.S. sales.
Jerry Lee Lewis died at 87. The rock pioneer scored six U.S. Top 40 hits before a long country career and entered both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1986 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022.
