SEPTEMBER 24 | TODAY IN ROCK HISTORY: U2, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley
Jimi Hendrix Arrives in London
On September 24, 1966, Jimi Hendrix arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport with his manager, Chas Chandler. Carrying little more than his guitar and a change of clothes, Hendrix stepped into a new world that would soon transform him into one of the most revolutionary figures in rock history.
At the time, Hendrix was virtually unknown outside the small U.S. circuit of R&B and soul clubs where he had backed artists like Little Richard and the Isley Brothers. Chandler, formerly the bassist of The Animals, had recognized Hendrix’s extraordinary talent and convinced him to come to England, where the rock scene was exploding with innovation.
Within days of his arrival, Hendrix was on stage with Eric Clapton and Cream, leaving seasoned musicians and audiences stunned by his virtuosity. His use of distortion, feedback and sheer showmanship redefined what the electric guitar could do. This pivotal arrival on September 24 marked the beginning of Hendrix’s meteoric rise from obscurity to legend.
The First Elvis Presley Convention
Just weeks after the death of Elvis Presley in August 1977, fans gathered in Cincinnati on September 24 for the very first Elvis Presley convention. The King of Rock and Roll had left behind a cultural legacy unmatched in its scale and devotion, and fans were eager to keep his memory alive.
The convention became a marketplace for memorabilia of every kind—T-shirts, buttons, photos and rare recordings. But it was more than just a collector’s fair. It was also a communal space where Elvis devotees could share stories, celebrate his music and grieve together.
This first gathering set the stage for the worldwide Elvis fandom that continues today, from Graceland pilgrimages to Elvis tribute festivals. The Cincinnati convention was proof that Presley’s influence didn’t end with his passing—it sparked a tradition of fan devotion that has lasted nearly half a century.
U2 Releases The Unforgettable Fire
On September 24, 1984, U2 released The Unforgettable Fire, their fourth studio album. It marked a dramatic shift in their sound, moving away from the raw post-punk energy of earlier records like War and embracing a more atmospheric, textured style.
Produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, the album showcased the band’s ambition to stretch beyond straightforward rock. Songs like “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., became global anthems of conscience and conviction. Tracks such as “Bad” and the title cut offered haunting, expansive soundscapes that reflected the band’s growing sophistication.
The Unforgettable Fire was both a critical and commercial breakthrough. It elevated U2 from rising stars to international icons, setting the stage for their eventual superstardom with The Joshua Tree in 1987. Its release on September 24 remains one of the pivotal moments in the band’s journey toward becoming one of the biggest acts in rock history.
Three Weird September 24 Rock Factoids
Deep Purple Put a Rock Band and a Symphony Orchestra on the Same Stage
On September 24, 1969, Deep Purple performed Concerto for Group and Orchestra at London’s Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Written by keyboardist Jon Lord, the ambitious work put electric guitar, Hammond organ and a full rock rhythm section alongside a traditional symphony orchestra, creating one of the earliest major rock-classical crossover events.
The Grateful Dead Wanted to Call an Album Skull Fuck
When The Grateful Dead prepared their second live album, the band wanted to give it the deliberately provocative title Skull Fuck. Warner Bros. Records rejected the name, and the album was ultimately released without a title on its cover. Fans and music buyers eventually came to know it as Skull & Roses because of its iconic skull-and-roses artwork.
James Brown Led Police on a Two-State Chase
On September 24, 1988, James Brown was arrested after an extraordinary incident in Augusta, Georgia. Police said Brown had entered a building where an insurance seminar was taking place while brandishing a pistol and shotgun, then fled in a pickup truck and led officers on a chase across the Georgia-South Carolina border. A South Carolina officer eventually shot out the truck’s front tires, but Brown continued driving on the rims before his vehicle became stuck and police a
final note
September 24 brings together three moments that highlight rock’s transformative power, fan devotion, and artistic ambition. Hendrix’s arrival in London in 1966 signaled the birth of a guitar god whose influence would ripple through generations. The first Elvis convention in 1977 showed how fans could turn grief into celebration, creating traditions that continue to sustain Presley’s legend. U2’s The Unforgettable Fire in 1984 demonstrated how a band could evolve, take risks, and redefine their place in rock history.
From beginnings to legacies to reinvention, September 24 serves as a reminder of how rock history unfolds not only on stage but also in the hearts of fans and the risks artists take to move forward.
