Musical #TBT: July 18

July 18 has often been an eventful day throughout the history of modern music. Springsteen performed with Bob Marley in ‘73, Lennon was briefly ordered to leave the U.S. in ‘74, and Whitney Houston married Bobby Brown in ‘92. In 2001, Kiss released a casket as merchandise. Legends were arrested, debuts took place, and life was lost.

Read on for a potent dose of musical #TBT. 

1953

Elvis Presley, still working as a truck driver, recorded his first two songs for $3.98 at a Memphis recording studio. They were a gift for his mother.

1968

The Beatles recorded “Cry Baby Cry” and “Helter Skelter” at their Abbey Road studio. A take of the latter was their longest all time recording. They Heltered and Skeltered for over 27 minutes. 

1972

Police found two pounds of mary jane in Sly and the Family Stone’s tour bus. Multiple members were arrested. Many things have changed since ‘72, but law enforcement’s obsession with confiscating black artists’ weed hasn’t diminished a bit. 

1978

Def Leppard played their first show for 150 students at a school in Sheffield, England. 

1988

Nico, of The Velvet Underground and Nico, died when a heart attack threw her from the bicycle she rode in Ibiza. Landing on her head resulted in a fatal cerebral hemorrhage. May she rest in peace.