The wait was over for the third studio album by the Doors on this date in 1968.  Waiting For The Sun eclipsed the success of the self titled debut album and Strange Days by becoming the bands only #1 selling album.  The release dropped on the same date that Jim Morrison died on three years later in Paris.

 

Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on July 3 include...

1946 Byrds drummer Michael Clarke born.

1948 Little Feat's Paul Barrere born.

1959 Ratt founder and lead singer Steven Pearcy born.   

1968 Crosby, Stills & Nash's first time playing as a trio during a party at Joni Mitchell's house.

1969 Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck Johnny Winter, Sly & thee Family Stone, Jethro Tull, Savoy Brown, Buddy Guy, Ten Years After play Newport Jazz Festival. 

1969 Former Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones found dead in the swimming pool of his home. 

1969 Ringo Starr stands in for John Lennon at a press conference announcing the release of Give Peace a Chance as John is recuperating from injuries in a car accident.

1971 Jim Morrison of The Doors found dead in Paris apartment. 

1973 Jeff Beck guests with David Bowie at London show ending Ziggy Stardust tour. 

1975 Allman Brothers Band releases Win, Lose Or Draw.   

1980 Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg separate. 

1981 Doors members gather at Jim Morrison's grave site on 10th anniversary of his death.

1982 John Mellencamp does free concert for 20,000 volunteers filling sandbags to stem flooding in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  

1986 U2 cew member Greg Carroll dies in a motorcycle accident. The band later writes and records One Tree Hill in his honor. 

1990 Allman Brothers Band releases Seven Turns.

1995 Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots enters not guilty plea on drug charges.

2002 Sharon Osbourne undergoes surgery for colon cancer.

2004 David Crosby slapped with a $5,000 fine for unlawful possession of a handgun.

2014 Remastered, expanded editions of Led Zeppelin I, II & III released.