Dave Swanson

Released in theaters nationwide on Nov. 6, 1968, 'Head' was the Monkees last real hurrah as a pop phenomenon of the '60s. If you want to talk about going out in a blaze of glory, look no further. What other film has its stars jumping off a bridge to their watery death in the first five minutes? The Monkees name was not used in the offbeat advertising for the film, the movie itself had no credits at all until the very end, and the soundtrack generated zero radio hits. Some might call this a recipe for failure, while others might simply see it as the lunatics taking over the asylum.

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Peter Gabriel's landmark album 'So' reached its 25 anniversary a couple of years ago, when fans were treated to a deluxe reissue. Among the bonus tracks on that release was a demo of a previously unreleased song called 'Courage.' But Gabriel isn't done with it yet: He recently remixed the song for a brand new single.

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Not one for lounging around, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler is readying his debut solo album for release early next year.

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With the release of 'Wonderwall Music' in November 1968, George Harrison was the first Beatle to step into the spotlight on his own. Recording sessions actually began a year earlier -- when the Beatles were recording their annual Christmas message -- with 'India' and 'Swordfencing,' both working titles that would be changed before release.

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Sessions for Bob Dylan's third album, 'The Times They Are A Changin,' began just a few months after the last tracks for his second LP, 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan,' wrapped up. The tapes began rolling on Aug. 6, 1963, and finished on Oct. 31. 

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By the start of 1973, Fleetwood Mac were in a state of flux, trying to find solid footing and an identity for the band. The recent departure of longtime guitarist Danny Kirwin led to a fluctuating lineup, with the addition of guitarists Bob Weston and Bob Welch, as well as Dave Walker, who would supply some of the vocals on Mac's first 1973 offering, 'Penguin.' But the overstuffed lineup didn't last long, and by the time sessions started for their next album, 'Mystery to Me,' Walker was gone, and Welch had settled into his role as frontman.

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After releasing their elegantly titled debut album, 'My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair ... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows,' in mid-1968, Tyrannosaurus Rex quickly became fixtures on the U.K. underground scene. Their engaging live performances, and support from the likes of John Peel on his radio show, helped spread their reputation.

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On Oct. 12, 1978, the body of 20-year-old Nancy Spungen was found in a room at New York's famous Chelsea Hotel. She and her boyfriend, Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, had been living in Room 100 for abound a month and a half when Vicious called the front desk, saying that something had happened to his girlfriend. It turned out that she was dead from multiple stab wounds to her stomach. 

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Guitarist Phil Chevron has died after a long battle with cancer. Even though he got his start as a founding member of the Radiators From Space, one of the many bands to emerge from the late-'70s punk scene in England, Chevron was best known as the guitarist for the Irish punk band the Pogues. He was 56.

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From his days at New York's famed Brill Building, through the behind-the-scenes power struggle with the Monkees and on through the years, Don Kirshner's position in the world or pop music in unquestionable. "The Man with the Golden Ear," as he was commonly known, built his legend as a maverick with his hands in music publishing as well as finding new talent. In late-1972, he embarked on a new venture, bringing live rock and roll music into living rooms across America with a show called 'In Concert' on ABC.

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In 1978, Blondie began to skyrocket to the big time. When the band first appeared on the scene at famed NYC club CBGB in 1975, they were dismissed as a '60s throwback pop group. But they had the last laugh, becoming the most successful act to emerge form that rock 'n' roll underground.

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On Sept. 9, 1968, recording engineer Chris Thomas received a note from producer George Martin. "Chris, hope you had a nice holiday," it read. "I'm off on mine now. Make yourself available to the Beatles."

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