This Day in Rock History: October 18

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1957: Paul McCartney made his live debut with John Lennon's band, The Quarrymen, which evolved into The Beatles in 1960. This was the first time McCartney and Lennon played music together.
• 1966: The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their first major gig at the Paris Olympia Theatre, supporting the French star Johnny Hallyday. The trio's official debut was a few days earlier at the Novelty cinema in Evreux, France.

Cultural Milestones

• 1926: Chuck Berry was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Berry was a foundational figure in rock 'n' roll, creating a blueprint for future rock artists through songs such as "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Johnny B. Goode."
• 1989: Guns N' Roses opened for The Rolling Stones during the first of four concerts at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Besides the historic significance of the two giants sharing the same stage, the show is also memorable because Axl Rose threatened to break up the band if the other members didn't stop using drugs and alcohol.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1974: The Rolling Stones released their 12th studio album, It's Only Rock 'n Roll. It was the last to feature guitarist Mick Taylor before Ronnie Wood replaced him.
• 1985: The Cult released Love, their second studio album. It reached the top five in the U.K. and propelled the band to mainstream success with hit singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Rain."
• 1988: The supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, consisting of Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty, released their debut album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. It was a major commercial success, reaching triple-Platinum status in the United States.