December 4

Today in 1993, Frank Zappa succumbed to his battle with prostate cancer

 

On this day in 1976, Tommy Bolin died from a heroin overdose at age 25 after a show in Miami FL opening for Jeff Beck

 

Chris Hillman (The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers) is 77 today

 

John Lyon (Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes) is 73 today

 

Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys was born on this date in 1944

 

Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd was born on this date in 1951

 

Today in 1956, a jam session took place at Sun Studios in Memphis with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins

 

Today in 1971, The Montreux Casino in Switzerland burnt to the ground during a gig by Frank Zappa and inspired the song “Smoke on the Water”