50 years ago, on July 20th, 1969, Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin, both American, landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on the moon. 

 

Here's a list of what some of rock's top acts were doing when it happened:

 

 

via GIPHY

 

 

Ace Frehley: Says he watched it with his classmates in school. Unless he is referring to Sunday school, then he is living up to his nickname of "Spaceman" as July 20th was a Sunday in 1969.

 

Billy Gibbons: Was watching B.B. King perform in Houston, and the "King of the Blues" announced that Apollo 11 had landed.

 

Blind Faith: Were performing at the Baltimore Civic Center! 

 

Carlos Santana: It was his 22nd birthday and he was performing with his Santana band in San Francisco.

 

Deep Purple: Were performing in Birmingham, England.

 

Grateful Dead: Watched it at Jerry Garcia's house as he was the only one with a TV.

 

James Taylor and Van Morrison: Were on the bill at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island. The announcement that Apollo 11 had landed was made during Taylor's set.

 

Joe Cocker: Was performing at the Fillmore West in San Francisco.

 

Led Zeppelin: Were performing in Cleveland on a bill with the James Gang.

 

Mick Jagger: Was filming Ned Kelly in Australia.

 

Pink Floyd: Performed "Moonjam" for a BBC TV show on the Moon landing.

 

The Beatles: Watched a rough cut of their film that came to be known as Let it Be.

 

The Who: Were performing in Hastings, England.

 

Tommy Shaw: Was 14 and watched it with his family in Montgomery, Alabama.

 

Yes: Watched it in a pub in Cork, Ireland following their set.