This Week In Classic Hits History (7/25-29)

This week, Dylan plugs in, Cream debuts, and a warning about listening to rock n' roll while driving.

July 25, 1965:

Bob Dylan plugged in for his headlining set at The Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. Folk music ‘purists’ booed him off the stage, Pete Seeger was going to take an axe to his amplifier, but the rest of the audience gave him an enthusiastic response.

July 26, 1990:

Brent Mydland from The Grateful Dead was found dead in his home aged 38 from a drug overdose.

July 27, 1957:

Fan's of rock & roll music were warned that tuning into music on the car radio could cost you more money. Researchers from the Esso gas company said the "rhythm of rock & roll could cause the driver to be foot heavy on the pedal, making them waste fuel."

July 28, 1973:

The Watkins Glen outdoor summer jam was held outside of Watkins Glen, New York with The Allman Brothers Band, The Grateful Dead and The Band. Over 600,000 rock fans attended. Many claim the event was the largest gathering of people in the history of the United States.

July 29, 1966:

Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker made their live debut as Cream at The Twisted Wheel, in England. The group's album Wheels of Fire, was the world's first platinum-selling double album.