Historically speaking, this week in rock music has been marked by a trove of memorable events. “The World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” recorded their very first single, England’s most influential punk band signed a record contract, and a beloved ‘60s pop band kicked off their final reunion tour.

If you’re looking for an example of a Les Paul being wielded at the very birth of rock ’n’ roll, you need look no further than seminal rockabilly artist Carl Perkins. At Sun Records in 1955 and ’56, Perkins used a pair of ’50s Les Paul Goldtops to record his biggest hits, and these solidbodies are responsible for the sound with which we still most associate him.

Backing bands often fly beneath the radar, but occasionally a back-up group attains near-legendary status in its own right. Below are 10 such bands, each of which was indispensable in helping propel their leader to fame and glory.

Check out some significant events, album releases, births and deaths happening from May 1 through May 7 in rock history.

Ask any rock fan to name the genre’s greatest guitarists, and chances are you’ll be handed a list that’s fairly predictable. In the profiles below we’ve attempted to give due credit to 10 great players who likely would not appear on that list.

Check out some significant events, album releases, births and deaths happening from April 24 through April 30 in rock history.

From the Cars to Motorhead, here are some Record Store Day 2017 highlights.

Most reviews of Nesmith’s Infinite Tuesday: An Autobiographical Riff naturally focus on three or four fascinating facts. Nesmith was a Monkee, Nesmith was friends with Jimi Hendrix and Jack Nicholson, Nesmith played a key role in the development of music videos and MTV, and his mother invented Liquid Paper

The career of southern-rock founder Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd is one that has been dogged by tragedy, but his tone and playing style ring out as archetypal Les Paul-fuelled boogie-rock, and his mark on the history of the instrument is everlasting.

Here's what you missed at the 2017 Rock Hall induction ceremony.