This Day in Rock History: September 23

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1968: The Beatles, including the real or the fake Paul McCartney, depending on which version you believe, began recording one of their most complex songs, "Happiness Is a Warm Gun." The song was written by John Lennon and released a few months later as part of The White Album.
• 1970: The Allman Brothers released their second studio album, Idlewild South. It showcases the band's distinctive blend of blues and Southern rock, with standout tracks including "Midnight Rider" and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed."
• 1977: David Bowie released the single "Heroes" from his 12th studio album of the same name. It was recorded in West Berlin a few months earlier and is widely regarded as one of his best songs.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 1949: Bruce Springsteen, nicknamed "The Boss," was born in Long Branch, New Jersey. Springsteen's career started in the early 1970s, and he has sold over 140 million records worldwide, making him one of the most successful recording artists of all time.
• 1969: Northern Illinois University's The Northern Star newspaper published a story claiming that Paul McCartney had died in a car accident three years earlier and was replaced by a look-alike. The story was then picked up by a radio station in Detroit, fueling the longstanding "Paul is Dead" conspiracy theory.