The middle of December is filled with holiday cheer and happenings, but that doesn't mean rock 'n' roll takes a break. From the Doors performing their final show with Jim Morrison to the births of Frank Sinatra and Billy Gibbons, this week has lots to talk about when it comes to rock history. Read on for some significant events, historic record releases as well as notable births and deaths happening from December 11 through 17.
Events
1960 - Aretha Franklin performs her very first concert. The show is at the Village Vanguard in New York City.
1962 - Bob Dylan visited England for the first time. On that same trip, he plays his first show in London at the Troubadour Club.
1966 - Jimi Hendrix, now a rising star, makes his first UK TV appearance on Ready Steady Go.
1969 - John Lennon performs his final live concert ever in the UK. He performs with the Plastic Ono Band at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, and it's a Christmas benefit show with UNICEF.
1970 - The Doors perform their final show with Jim Morrison. It's at the Warehouse in New Orleans.
1972 - Genesis plays their debut U.S. show at Massachusetts' Brandeis University.
1974 - Mick Taylor announces his his departure from the Rolling Stones. Ronnie Wood replaces him and stays with the Stones permanently.
1990 - Led Zeppelin IV is certified Diamond, having sold 10 million in America.
Releases
1964 - The Beatles: Beatles '65
1967 - The Who: The Who Sell Out
1968 - Blood, Sweat & Tears: Blood, Sweat & Tears
1970 - John Lennon, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
1971 - David Bowie: Hunky Dory
1972 - The Rolling Stones, More Hot Rocks
1972 - Status Quo: Piledriver
1974 - Joe Walsh: So What
1980 - The Clash: Sandinista!
1987 - Dinosaur Jr.: You're Living All Over Me
2000 - Tool: Salival (box set)
2008 - Fall Out Boy: Folie à Deux
Deaths
Sam Cooke - December 11, 1964
Big Joe Williams (blues musician) - December 17, 1982
Ian Stewart (pianist with the Rolling Stones) - December 12, 1985
Lynn Strait - December 11, 1998
Rufus Thomas - December 14, 2001
Zal Yanovsky (The Lovin' Spoonful) - December 13, 2002
Captain Beefheart - December 17, 2010
Tommy Ruger- December 11, 2013
Dawn Sears- December 11, 2014
Births
Frank Sinatra - December 12, 1915
Tom Brumley - December 11, 1935
Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band) - December 12, 1943
Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge) - December 15, 1946
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan) - December 13, 1948
Ted Nugent - December 13, 1948
Cliff Williams (AC/DC) - December 14, 1949
Paul Rodgers (Free) - December 17, 1949
Billy Gibbons - December 16, 1950
Robben Ford - December 16, 1951
Bruce Kulick (Kiss) - December 12, 1953
Mike Mesaros (The Smithereens) - December 11, 1957
Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) - December 11, 1958
Mike Mills (R.E.M.) - December 17, 1958
Tom Delonge (Blink 182) - December 13, 1975
Dan Hawkins (The Darkness) - December 12, 1976
Amy Lee (Evanescence) - December 13, 1981
