This Day in Rock History: August 21

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1965: The album Out of Our Heads by The Rolling Stones reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200, marking the band's first chart-topping album in the United States. Its success was largely driven by the monster hit "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," which also topped the U.S. singles charts.
• 1967: The Doors started recording their second album, Strange Days, at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. Its musical arrangements were more complex compared to the band's debut album, and it spawned two memorable singles, "People Are Strange" and "Love Me Two Times."

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1976: The Knebworth Festival took place in England, with many famous acts performing in front of over 100,000 fans. The impressive lineup included The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Todd Rundgren.
• 1997: Oasis released their third studio album, Be Here Now, recorded at multiple London-based studios. It was the biggest-selling album of the year in the U.K. and achieved Platinum status in the United States.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 1966: The Beatles' concert in Cincinnati, originally scheduled for Aug. 20, was postponed until noon on Aug. 21 due to heavy rain and the risk of electrocution. This event contributed to what would be a pivotal moment in the group's history and rock history in general, as it influenced the band's decision to focus on recording rather than touring. They performed their last show on Aug. 29 and never toured again.
• 2013: Music promoter Sidney Bernstein died aged 95. He was instrumental in the British Invasion of the 1960s, which saw many rock acts from the U.K. gain popularity and success in the United States. It began with The Beatles' arrival in 1964, with other famous bands, such as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Moody Blues, following in their footsteps.