What came first, the Hard Rock Cafe or Carole King's song of that name?
Dear Straight Dope:
And here's an easy (for you) related question: Which came first, the original London Hard Rock Cafe or the song "Hard Rock Cafe" by Carole King?
Fortunately, you haven't put us between a rock and a hard place, Bill.
Because what came first was the Hard Rock Cafe, which was opened in London June 14, 1971, by Americans Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett.
Carole King's song "Hard Rock Cafe" is a shameless song-ad for your local Hard Rock Cafe ("It's really great down there, you'll meet a lot of nice people, have a good time ...") and only appears on her "Carole King -- In Concert" album (released in 1994 and currently unavailable), which is the soundtrack of a TV special.
Remember, all you have to do is call -- you've got a friend with the Straight Dope.
