United Kingdom

1969
Black Sabbath changed their name to Black Sabbath

Inspired by the new sound, the band changed their name to Black Sabbath in August 1969, and made the decision to focus on writing similar material in an attempt to create the musical equivalent of horror films.

Genesis (band) recorded four more demos

After Banks and Gabriel decided to follow suit, the four returned to Regent Sound in August 1969 and recorded four more demos with Silver: “Family” (later known as “Dusk”), “White Mountain”, “Going Out to Get You” and “Pacidy”.

King Crimson big breakthrough

Their big breakthrough came on 5 July 1969 by playing as a support act at the Rolling Stones ‘ free concert in Hyde Park, London , before an estimated 500,000 people.

Atomic Rooster In the summer of 1969, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown split in the

In the summer of 1969, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown split in the middle of a second US tour. Keyboardist Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer left, returning to England to discuss a collaboration with Brian Jones , who had just been let go from the Rolling Stones .…
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The Rolling Stones Jones drowned

On 3 July 1969, less than a month later, Jones drowned under mysterious circumstances in the swimming pool at his home, Cotchford Farm , in Hartfield , East Sussex .

The Rolling Stones left the band

Richards reported that in a June meeting with Jagger, Watts, and himself at Jones’ house, Jones admitted that he was unable to “go on the road again”, and left the band saying, “I’ve left, and if I want to I can come back.”

Deep Purple released in late June

Deep Purple was released in late June 1969

Deep Purple went out of business

Tetragrammaton went out of business

Genesis (band) third single

A third single, “Where the Sour Turns to Sweet” / “In Hiding”, was released in June 1969.

The Who released in May

The album was released in May with the accompanying single, “Pinball Wizard”, a debut performance at Ronnie Scott’s , and a tour , playing most of the new album live. Tommy sold 200,000 copies in the US in its first two weeks, and was a critical success, Life saying, “for…
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