Category Archives: Popular Music 1970s

Eric Clapton celebrates comeback from drug addiction with concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Eric Clapton-Pete Townshend-Live Rainbow Concert 1973-FULL CONCERT'

(Saturday, January 13, 1973) — Eric Clapton made a comeback from drug addiction today when he performed at the Rainbow Theatre in London. His backing band included Pete Townshend, Ron Wood and Steve Winwood.

Lennon, Ono’s ‘One to One’ benefit concert on ABC-TV 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: Aug. 30, 1972 (only 'Imagine' missing from ABC-TV broadcast of Dec. 15, 1972)

(Friday, December 15, 1972, 10 p.m. EST) — An Aug. 30, 1972, performance by ex-Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono with The Plastic Ono Elephant’s Memory band at Madison Square Garden in New York City to benefit the Willowbrook School for Children, a home for retarded children, was televised tonight on ABC.

Creedence Clearwater Revival breaks up 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: 'Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute video'

(Monday, October 16, 1972) — Fantasy Records and the members of Creedence Clearwater Revival, ranked at 82 on Rolling Stone‘s 100 greatest artists of all time, announced today the rock band from El Cerrito, California, was breaking up.

Rory Storm of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes commits suicide 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: 'Rory Storm & the Hurricanes'

(Thursday, September 28, 1972) — Singer Rory Storm, 34, of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, which featured drummer Ringo Starr before he quit to join The Beatles in August 1962, killed himself today in an apparent suicide pact with his mother. He reportedly couldn’t accept that his band didn’t enjoy the same success as other bands from the Liverpool scene.

‘Are You Being Served?’ debuts on BBC1 40 years ago tonight (1972)


Video: 'Comedy Playhouse - Are You Being Served? (Pilot)'

(Friday, September 8, 1972)Are You Being Served?, a British sitcom set in the ladies’ and gentlemen’s clothing departments of Grace Brothers, a large, fictional London department store, debuted tonight on BBC1 in the form of a pilot for the series Comedy Playhouse. It starred Frank Thornton, Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Wendy Richard and Nicholas Smith.

‘The Joker’s Wild’ debuts on CBS-TV 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: 'The Joker's Wild - First Episode 1972'

(Monday, September 4, 1972, Labor Day, 10:00 a.m. EDT)The Joker’s Wild, a game show where contestants answered questions based on categories that were determined randomly by a mechanism resembling a slot machine, debuted today on CBS-TV (taped at CBS Television City in Hollywood) with Jack Barry as host (click here to watch the entire first episode).

Lennon continues rehearsals for ‘One to One’ benefit concerts 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: 'Come Together' (Aug. 22, 1972)

(Tuesday, August 22, 1972) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon continued rehearsing today at Butterfly Studios in New York City for the “One to One” benefit concerts for children with mental challenges, scheduled for Madison Square Garden on Aug. 30.

Lennon rehearses oldies for ‘One to One’ benefit 40 years ago today (1972)


Audio: 'Hound Dog' (Aug. 21, 1972)

(Monday, August 21, 1972) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon rehearsed Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel and Roll Over Beethoven today at Butterfly Studios in New York City for the “One to One” benefit concerts for children with mental challenges, scheduled for Madison Square Garden on Aug. 30. Continue reading Lennon rehearses oldies for ‘One to One’ benefit 40 years ago today (1972)

McCartney/Wings appear on Dutch radio 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: McCartney/Wings (Aug. 20, 1972)

(Sunday, August 20, 1972) — Paul McCartney and his group Wings performed a piano improvisation today on a Dutch radio program “popsmuk” in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, during their 25-city Wings Over Europe Tour, McCartney’s first of Continental Europe since The Beatles made a three-city swing through Germany in June 1966.

Lennon begins rehearsals for ‘One to One’ benefit concerts 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: Lennon rehearsing (Aug. 18-26, 1972); audio: 'It's So Hard' (probably recorded Aug. 18, 1972)

(Friday, August 18, 1972) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon began rehearsing today at Butterfly Studios in New York City for the “One to One” benefit concerts for children with mental challenges, scheduled for Madison Square Garden on Aug. 30. Continue reading Lennon begins rehearsals for ‘One to One’ benefit concerts 40 years ago today (1972)