June 3: Significant Events in Rock History – Boston’s ROCK 92.9
Rock ‘n’ roll, a genre that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, has a rich history filled with achievements, innovations, and unique personalities. Discover some significant events that took place on June 3 in the world of rock music.
One notable moment in rock history on June 3 occurred in 1967 when the Doors’ iconic song “Light My Fire” made its debut on the Billboard charts. The song, with its captivating introduction and memorable chorus, captured the essence of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and earned a spot on Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top 500 songs of the rock era. Another breakthrough hit on this day was Wham!’s infectious dance anthem “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” released in 1984, which topped the charts and remains a favorite on radio stations.
In terms of cultural milestones, June 3 saw the graduation of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, from L.C. Humes High School in Memphis, Tennessee in 1953. The Rolling Stones kicked off their American tour in Vancouver, Canada in 1966, paving the way for their eventual rise to fame as one of the most influential bands in rock history. Jefferson Airplane made waves in 1967 when they appeared on American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark, and performed their hits “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love,” challenging the show’s family-friendly image with their psychedelic and hard rock sound. Ray Davies of The Kinks faced censorship in 1970 when he flew from the UK to New York to rerecord a few lines in the song “Lola” to comply with the BBC’s brand name promotion policy. Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002 with a star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace Garden featuring performances by Paul McCartney, Elton John, Eric Clapton, and more.
Shifting the focus to notable recordings and performances on June 3 in past years, rock fans witnessed Buddy Holly opening for Elvis Presley during a concert in Lubbock, Texas in 1955. The Eagles made their mark in 1972 with the release of their debut single, “Take It Easy,” which climbed to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1974, Paul McCartney & Wings topped the charts with their hit song “Band on the Run,” earning the title of the most popular song in America that week.
Overall, June 3 is a day that has seen significant milestones and achievements in the world of rock music, from iconic song releases to memorable performances that have shaped the genre’s history.