Ongoing History Daily: Famous firsts in music, part 1

December 9, 2024 Alan Cross 0 Comments 0 min read

Everyone loves to be first. Let’s look at who came first with a few rock milestones.

Today, stadium shows are common. But which band was the first to play a venue that big? The Beatles, Shea Stadium in New York in 1965. One show, 55,000 people. Common today, but back then, it was unfathomable.

What was the first FM station to focus exclusively on rock? It looks like it was WOR-FM in New York which moved into the format on July 30, 1966. Again, common today but a huge deal back then.

And a bunch of musicians have been granted knighthoods. But who was the first? Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats for all his work with the Band Aid and Live Aid projects.

More next time.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39522 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross