On this day in rock history, Led Zeppelin played for the very first time, setting in motion one of the next decade's most intriguing musical journeys. Woodstock also produced a sequel.

Pete Best auditioned for the job as drummer for the Beatles – though, as we now know, he would soon be replaced. Seventeen years later, Henry Padovani lost or left his job as the Police's original guitarist, sentencing himself to the same rock 'n' roll purgatory.

Former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler celebrates a birthday today, while fans of the late Les Paul remember the guitar hero's sad passing. Cheap Thrills, perhaps Janis Joplin's best-known album, was issued by Big Brother and the Holding Company. Neil Young got back to his country roots, Metallica released their biggest-ever album, and the Rolling Stones began preparing for one of their biggest tours ever.

Watch an exciting recap of many of the day’s biggest rock anniversaries above, narrated by our radio host Zach Martin. And learn more about these important events by clicking the links below.

News Anniversaries:
Pete Best auditions for the Beatles (1960)
Led Zeppelin perform together for the first time (1968)
Henry Padovani quits the Police (1977)
Rolling Stones play an intimate Steel Wheels warm up show (1989)
Moscow Peace Festival is held (1989)
Woodstock II is held (1994)
Les Paul dies (2009)

Album Anniversaries:
Big Brother and the Holding Company, Cheap Thrills (1968)
Neil Young, Old Ways (1985)
Metallica, Metallica ("Black Album") (1991)

Birthdays:
Mark Knopfler (1949)

See Led Zeppelin and Other Rockers in the Top 100 Albums of the '70s

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