1970-1971 (Part 2)

The Who are an English rock band that formed in 1964. Their classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling over 100 million records worldwide and holding a reputation for their live shows and studio work.

The Who developed from an earlier group, the Detours, and established themselves as part of the pop art and mod movements, featuring auto-destructive art by destroying guitars and drums on stage. Their first single as the Who, “I Can’t Explain”, reached the UK top ten, followed by a string of singles including “My Generation”, “Substitute” and “Happy Jack”. In 1967, they performed at the Monterey Pop Festival and released the US top ten single “I Can See for Miles”, while touring extensively.

The group’s fourth album, 1969’s rock opera Tommy, included the single “Pinball Wizard” and was a critical and commercial success. Live appearances at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival, along with the live album Live at Leeds, cemented their reputation as a respected rock act. With their success came increased pressure on lead songwriter and visionary Townshend, and the follow-up to Tommy, Lifehouse, was abandoned. Songs from the project made up 1971’s Who’s Next, which included the hit “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. The group released the album Quadrophenia in 1973 as a celebration of their mod roots, and oversaw the film adaptation of Tommy in 1975. They continued to tour to large audiences before semi-retiring from live performances at the end of 1976. The release of Who Are You in 1978 was overshadowed by the death of Moon shortly after.

July 5, 1971, the 26th Amendment to the US Constitution certified by President Nixon, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.

Evel Knievel was an American stunt performer, painter, entertainer, and international icon.

Over the course of his career, he attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps; in 1974, he failed an attempted canyon jump across Snake River Canyon in the Skycycle X-2, a steam-powered rocket.

January 28, 1971, Evel Knievel sets a world record and jumps over 19 cars in Ontario, CA.

Allman Brothers was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass guitar), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson (drums). The band incorporates elements of Southern rock, blues, jazz, and country music, and their live shows have jam band-style improvisation and instrumentals.

The group’s first two studio releases stalled commercially, but their 1971 live release, At Fillmore East, represented an artistic and commercial breakthrough. The album features extended renderings of their songs “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Whipping Post”, and is often considered among the best live albums ever made. Group leader Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident later that year, and the band dedicated Eat a Peach (1972) in his memory, a dual studio/live album that cemented the band’s popularity.

Following the motorcycle death of bassist Berry Oakley later that year, the group recruited keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bassist Lamar Williams for 1973’s Brothers and Sisters, which, combined with the hit single “Ramblin’ Man”, placed the group at the forefront of 1970s rock music. Internal turmoil overtook them soon after; the group dissolved in 1976, reformed briefly at the end of the decade with additional personnel changes, and dissolved again in 1982.

Anti-War Militants attempt to disrupt government business in Washington DC. The police and units arrest as army as 12,000 most of whom are later released.

Casey Kasem: American Top 40

July 4, 1970, Longtime radio music countdown show American Top 40 debuts on 5 U.S. stations with Casey Kasem as host.

 

Elvis Presley

September 9, 1970, Elvis Presley began his first concert tour at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Jimi Hendrix/Janis Joplin/Jim Morrison

September 18 1970, American musician Jimi Hendrix dies from an overdose of sleeping pills at the age of 27.
October 4 1970 Janis Joplin is found dead in her bedroom in the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood. She died from a heroin overdose, at the age of 27.

July 3 1971, Jim Morrison is found dead in a bath tub in Paris, France, aged 27. Alain Ronay would claim, years later, that he assisted Morrison’s lover, Pamela Courson, in covering up the circumstances.

October 21, 1971, President Nixon nominated Lewis Franklin Powell Jr. and William H. Rehnquist to the US Supreme Court

• 

  William H. Rehnquist

• 

  Lewis Franklin Powell Jr