December 17 Rock And Roll

We've got a slew of great rock and roll facts this morning.

On this day in 1957, "Jingle Bell Rock," sung by Bobby Helms, appeared on the Billboard Pop chart for the first time, reaching #6. It charted again in December 1958, 1960, 1961, and 1962.

In 1962, Bob Dylan travelled to England for the first time to perform at the Troubadour Club in London.

In 1968, the Who played their Christmas party at the Marquee Club in London. Yes, which was still an emerging group at that point, was also on the bill.

In 1971, David Bowie released his fourth album, called "Hunky Dory," which was the first to feature all the members of Ziggy Stardust's Spiders from Mars. The two singles from that album were "Changes/Andy Warhol" and "Life on Mars." Bowie considered this album to be the most important one of his career.

In 1979 on this day, Paul McCartney and Wings performed at the Glasgow Apollo, where they recorded a live version of "Coming Up." This song peaked at #2 in the U.K. and topped the charts in America, selling over 4 million copies.

In 1986, Paul McCartney's limo caught fire on the way to a TV taping in Newcastle. The former Beatle and his wife, Linda, were able to escape unscathed.

Also in 1986, the Doobie Brothers got back together to play at a benefit in Palo Alto, CA. This inspired them to embark on a reunion tour the next year, producing another Billboard Top Ten hit, "The Doctor," in 1989.

And in 1999, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones elected to keep a guitar that was given to him to autograph at his birthday party in New York City. The guitar's owner decided not to press charges, saying, "It's Keith, man."