On June 6, 1986, Richard Paul “Dick” Rowe, died aged 64. He was A&R man at “Decca Records” in the 50’s and the 60’s, became known to the wide audience “as the man who did not sign The Beatles”. Brian Epstein. The Beatles manager paid “Decca Records” one-hour audition. After the audition Rowe told Epstein “Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein”. But Rowe was actually one of the most successful producers and record executives in the 50’s and in the 60’s and he signed to “Decca Records” many important artists including The Rolling Stones, Them (Van Morrison), The Moody Blues, The Tremeloes, The Zombies, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, The Brumbeats, The Tornados, Tom Jones and The Small Faces.
Tag Archives: The Beatles
Capitol Records
On June 4, 1942, “Capitol Records” was founded by Johnny Mercer, Buddy DeSylva, and Glenn Wallichs. Over the decades, the label became home to artists such as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Bobby Darin, Glen Campbell, Steve Miller, Dr. Hook, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Heart, Nat King Cole, the Four Knights, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Stan Kenton, June Christy, Louis Prima, Keely Smith, the Louvin Brothers, Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Harry James, Andy Griffith, Shirley Bassey, the Kingston Trio, Dean Martin, The Four Freshmen, Helen Reddy, Anne Murray, April Wine, Blondie, Bloodrock, Burning Spear, Buzzcocks, David Bowie, Kim Carnes, Rosanne Cash, Max Webster, Lee Clayton, Natalie Cole, The Goose Creek Symphony, Sammy Hagar, The Knack, Maze, Mink DeVille, Juice Newton, Raspberries, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, Sweet, The Specials, The Sylvers, Ten Wheel Drive, The Stranglers, Tavares, George Thorogood, Triumvirate, Little River Band, Wings, The Persuasions, Richard Marx, The Motels, Billy Squier, Crowded House, Peter Blakeley, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, The Doobie Brothers, Willie Dixon, Glass Tiger, Katrina & The Waves, Grace Jones, Lloyd Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Sawyer Brown, Queen, Roxette, Brian Setzer,The Smithereens, Spandau Ballet, The Tubes, Paul Westerberg, Butthole Surfers, Concrete Blonde, Billy Idol, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, Exodus, W.A.S.P., Poison, Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche, Beastie Boys, King Tee, Mantronix, Mellow Man Ace, Robbie Robertson, Dave Koz, Ashford and Simpson, Freddie Jackson, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Skinny Puppy and others.
Bo Diddley
On June 2, 2008, Ellas Otha Bates aka Bo Diddley, died aged 79. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter and music producer, played important role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. His original syncopated beat – three strokes /rest/ two strokes, became the core rhythm of rock ’n’ roll. His style influenced big number of music acts including The Animals, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Parliament Funkadelic, The Velvet Underground, The Who, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, and The Beatles.
The Beatles Rooftop Concert
On January 30, 1969, The Beatles held the rooftop concert on the roof of Apple headquarters at “3 Savile Row”, in London. This was the band’s final public performance. In the 42 minutes set, the four Beatles were accompanied by the keyboardist Billy Preston. Footage from the performance was used in the 1970 documentary film “Let It Be”.
Led Zeppelin: Same
On January 12, 1969, “Atlantic” label released the self-titled, debut Led Zeppelin album. It was recorded October 1968 at “Olympic Studios” in London in only 36 hours, and was produced by Jimmy Page. The album art was coordinated by George Hardie; the back cover photography of the band was taken by former Yardbirds member Chris Dreja. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 29 on its of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; in 2004 it was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.
Personnel:
- Jimmy Page– acoustic, electric and pedal steel guitars, backing vocals
- Robert Plant– lead vocals, harmonica
- John Bonham– drums, timpani, backing vocals
- John Paul Jones– bass guitar, Hammond organ, backing vocals
- Viram Jasani– tabla
- Glyn Johns – engineer
- Peter Grant– executive production
Track listing:
- Good Times Bad Times – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Robert Plant
- Babe I’m Gonna Leave You – Anne Bredon, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
- You Shook Me – Willie Dixon, B. Lenoir
- Dazed and Confused – Jimmy Page, inspired by Jake Holmes
- Your Time Is Gonna Come – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant
- Black Mountain Side – Jimmy Page
- Communication Breakdown – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Robert Plant
- I Can’t Quit You Babe – Willie Dixon
- How Many More Times – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, John Bonham
The 10 Greatest Double Albums of All Time
On January 9, 2014, magazine “Rolling Stone” published the Readers Poll ”The 10 Greatest Double Albums of All Time”. The top 5 albums were:
No.5. Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti
No.4. Bruce Springsteen: The River
No.3. The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street
No.2. Pink Floyd: The Wall
No.1 The Beatles: White Album
The Beatles: A Day in the Life

On September 10, 2005, The Beatles track “A Day in the Life” from the album “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was voted the best British song of all time by the British music experts. Magazine “Q” named the track “the ultimate sonic rendition of what it means to be British”. The Kinks’ song ‘Waterloo Sunset’ was second and Oasis song “Wonderwall” was voted third on the list.
The Beatles: Hey Jude

On September 08, 1968, The Beatles performed “Hey Jude” on the BBC TV show “Frost On Sunday” .This song was the first single from The Beatles record label “Apple Records”. It spent nine weeks as no.1 on the US charts becoming the longest run at the top for The Beatles. “Hey Jude” was over seven minutes long, at the time the longest single ever to be no.1 on the UK charts.
Nicky Hopkins
On September 6, 1994, Nicky Hopkins died aged 50. He was musician (piano, organ), worked with The Easybeats, The Rolling Stones, The Move, Jeff Beck, The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, George Harrison, and The Jerry Garcia Band.
The Beatles Abbey Road Photo Session
On August 08, 1969, the photo session for the cover of The Beatles “Abbey Road” album took place on the crossing outside Abbey Road studios. Photographer Iain McMillan, balanced on a step-ladder in the middle of the road took six shots of Paul, John, Ringo, and George walking across the zebra crossing while a policeman held up the traffic.







