DJ Fred’s Rock N’ Roll Factoids For July 16th [VIDEOS]

Eric Clapton formed rock's first "supergroup" on this date way back when!

On this date in 1966, Clapton, bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker started a two-year run.  The group didn't last very long, but it produced some great rock songs like White Room. Badge, Spoonful and Sunshine Of Your Love.  Cream got back together briefly in 2005 for a series of shows in both London and New York.  Sadly, Jack Bruce passed away just last year.

Harry Chapin died on this date in 1981.  The fabulous singer-songwriter was responsible for such great classics like Cats in the Cradle and Taxi.  Chapin suffered a heart attack while driving on a New York expressway, his car was then hit from behind by a tractor-trailer truck.

The musician responsible for those great keyboard solos in songs like Lazy and Highway Star passed on this date in 2012.  Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord, who was also a co-founder of the heavy English rock band succumbed to pancreatic cancer.  After leaving Deep Purple Lord played briefly with Whitesnake.

Johnny Winter, a great blues guitarist, rock and roll god, and also brother of Edgar, died on this date in 2014.  Johnny was scheduled to play the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland just a couple of weeks later, his brother Edgar took his place. At one time Johnny appeared at the Grand in Ellsworth.  He once was in a band called Johnny Winter And that also featured Rick Derringer, another fabulous guitarist!

Celebrating birthdays today are Stewart Copeland, drummer for The Police, he's 63. And actress Phoebe Cates who's now 52.  Phoebe is responsible for one of the most famous scenes in rock movie history, how could any red blooded American boy forget it?  It happened in Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Remember the song that played in the background?  It was Moving In Stereo by The Cars!