On this day in rock history, Black Sabbath made their U.S. debut at a quite appropriate moment ... but in a decidedly surprising setting. That first show, held on the day before Halloween, took place at New Jersey's Glassboro State College – which had earlier played host to far more sedate events featuring the likes of poet Robert Frost and the Boston Pops.

Elton John released his third album just as "Your Song" (from his earlier, self-titled LP) made its way into the Top 10. Tumbleweed Connection found John and Bernie Taupin exploring themes focused on the American West. Later, Bob Dylan began his Rolling Thunder Revue shows.

A burned-out Pat Benatar issued the aptly titled Seven the Hard Way after rushing through a string of six previous smash releases between 1979-84. U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind marked a return to form musically, even as it gave voice to many of the emotions that would eventually surround the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Watch an exciting recap of many of the day’s biggest rock anniversaries above, narrated by our radio host Zach Martin. And learn more about these and other important events by clicking the links below.

News Anniversaries:
Black Sabbath play their first U.S. show (1970)
Jim Morrison is sentenced in Florida (1970)
Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue begins (1975)

Album Anniversaries:
Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (1970)
Pat Benatar - Seven the Hard Way (1985)
Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream (1989)
U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)

Birthdays:
Grace Slick (1939)
Timothy B. Schmidt (1947)

Elton John Albums, Ranked Worst to Best

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