On this day in rock history, Allman Brothers Band great Duane Allman was lost in a motorcycle accident. In just a few short years, he'd not only launched his own family band but had made key contributions to the music of Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, Boz Scaggs and Wilson Pickett. His band was at work on their third studio effort when Allman crashed; he was just 24.

On Power Windows, Rush expertly combined their familiar prog-rock sensibilities with a new wave flair. The all-star Traveling Wilburys, meanwhile, tried as best they could to move on without the late Roy Orbison, releasing the impishly titled sophomore album Vol. 3.

This date also saw the birth of two early members of legendary classic rock bands – Denny Laine and Peter Green. Laine voiced the Moody Blues' only U.K. charttopping hit before joining Wings with Paul McCartney. Green, meanwhile, crafted some brilliant blues updates as co-founder of Fleetwood Mac before issues with drugs and mental illness forced him from the band.

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:
Duane Allman dies in a motorcycle accident (1971)

Album Anniversaries:
Rush - Power Windows (1975)
Neil Young - Hawks and Doves (1980)
Traveling Wilburys - Vol. 3 (1990)

Birthdays:
Denny Laine of Moody Blues and Wings (1945)
Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac (1946)

The Top 100 Rock Albums of the '70s

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