Rock History

On this day...

2007 – Paul Stanley of Kiss suffered heart problems on This Day in Rock! — 2007 – Paul Stanley of Kiss suffered heart problems on This Day in Rock! Paul was playing a show in California when he felt a strange chest pain… Paramedics tried to [...]

2006 – Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson are married on a luxury yacht — 2006 – Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson are married on a luxury yacht in San Tropez. Among the guests: Elton John’s partner David Furnish and camp photographer Dave LaChappelle. [...]

2005 – John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “All You Need — 2005 – John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “All You Need is Love”, gathered from his music stand after The Beatles’ final television appearance in 1967, sold at an auction [...]

2004 – Bobby Gillespie, singer with British rock band Primal Scream — 2004 – Bobby Gillespie, singer with British rock band Primal Scream, is awarded undisclosed damagers in a libel suit against a tabloid that alleged he was having an affair [...]

2003 – R.E.M. play the last show in their European tour in Nyon — 2003 – R.E.M. play the last show in their European tour in Nyon, Switzerland. The set includes rarities like “Permanent Vacation.”

2003 – Bobby Thompson, Ozzy Osbourne’s longtime to… — 2003 – Bobby Thompson, Ozzy Osbourne’s longtime tour manager, dies in his hotel room in Birmingham, Mich., after a long battle with throat cancer. He is 50.

2000 – A 17-year-old concertgoer is knifed before an Oasis — 2000 – A 17-year-old concertgoer is knifed before an Oasis show in Glasgow, Scotland. Police say he and his girlfriend were assaulted by a mob of Oasis fans who [...]

2000 – The Warped Tour rolls into West Palm Beach, Fla. But — 2000 – The Warped Tour rolls into West Palm Beach, Fla. But during the concert, a NOFX fan is stabbed while in the mosh pit. He later recovers.

2000 – ‘N Sync’s annual Challenge For The Children… — 2000 – ‘N Sync’s annual Challenge For The Children celebrity basketball game, held at St. John’s University in New York, raises $550,000 for a group of charities. The event sees [...]

1999 – Anita Carter, singer and stand-up bass play… — 1999 – Anita Carter, singer and stand-up bass player for country act the Carter Sisters, dies at home in Nashville. She is 66.

1998 – The first headlining tour of matchbox 20 be… — 1998 – The first headlining tour of Matchbox 20 begins at UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.

1998 – Miramax Films co-chairmen Bob and Harvey We… — 1998 – Miramax Films co-chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein announce that although money can’t buy you love, it can buy them all rights to the Beatles’ landmark film “A Hard [...]

1994 – Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour marries Polly Samson — 1994 -  Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour marries Polly Samson at England’s Marylebone Registry Office.

1993 – Ed Guzman, percussionist for Rare Earth (“Get Ready” — 1993 – Ed Guzman, percussionist for Rare Earth (“Get Ready” – 1970), passed away on July 29th.

1990 – Elton John checks into a suburban Chicago clinic — 1990 – Elton John checks into a suburban Chicago clinic to cure bulimia and an addiction problem.

1988 – Steel guitarist Pete Drake, who played with Bob Dylan — 1988 – Steel guitarist Pete Drake, who played with Bob Dylan and Ringo Starr, dies in Nashville at age 55.

1987 – Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream introduces their Cherry Garcia flavor — 1987 – Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream introduces their Cherry Garcia flavor, named after the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia.

1987 – Michigan’s governor announces an annual “F… — 1987 – Michigan’s governor announces an annual “Four Tops Day” to honor the group’s contribution to American music.

1984 – Vocal group leader Fred Waring, whose album — 1984 – Vocal group leader Fred Waring, whose album ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is one of the most surreal records ever made, dies at age 84.

1982 – Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor marries Tracie Wi… — 1982 – Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor marries Tracie Wilson in Los Angeles.

1980 – David Bowie opens on stage in Denver in the… — 1980 – David Bowie opens on stage in Denver in the title role of “Elephant Man” to critical acclaim.

1976 – Eric Clapton begins his first English tour — 1976 – Eric Clapton begins his first English tour in five years at Hempstead’s Pavilion Theatre.

1974 – Singer Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Pap… — 1974 – Singer Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas dies of a heart attack in London. She is found in her bed with a ham sandwich by her [...]

1973 – The takings from two Led Zeppelin concerts are stolen from — 1973 – The takings from two Led Zeppelin concerts are stolen from the group’s New York hotel. The thieves are said to have gotten away with more than $180,000.

1970 – The Rolling Stones’ contract with Decca ends. The band — 1970 – The Rolling Stones’ contract with Decca ends. The band informs manager Allen Klein that “neither he nor ABKCO Industries have any authority to negotiate recording contracts on [...]

1968 – The Byrds head off to South Africa to tour. However — 1968 – The Byrds head off to South Africa to tour. However, one Byrd who isn’t going is Gram Parsons, who is protesting South African apartheid.

1967 – Doors: ‘Light My Fire’ US 45 is no. 1 chart topper. — 1967 – Doors: ‘Light My Fire’ US 45 is no. 1 chart topper.  Later, Jim Morrison will sing [...]

1966 – In Britain, gravelly voiced singer Chris Farlowe goes — 1966 – In Britain, gravelly voiced singer Chris Farlowe goes to No. 1 with his version of the Rolling Stones’ “Out of Time.”

1966 – Bob Dylan is injured in a motorcycle accide… — 1966 – Bob Dylan is injured in a motorcycle accident near his Woodstock, N.Y., home; he goes into seclusion. Bob Dylan crashes his motorcycle in Woodstock, N.Y. The incident immediately [...]

1966 – The Beatles: The U.S. teen magazine Datebook reprints an earlier quote — 1966 – The Beatles: The U.S. teen magazine Datebook reprints an earlier quote by John Lennon stating that “We’re more popular than Jesus now.” This prompted Beatles Bonfires [...]

1965 – The Beatles’ second film – “Help!” – prem… — 1965 – The Beatles’ second film – “Help!” – premieres in London. Queen Elizabeth is in attendance.

1963 – The Newport Folk Festival is held this year after a four-year — 1963 – The Newport Folk Festival is held this year after a four-year layoff. Headliners include Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul & Mary. With a good sense [...]

1962 – DJ Carl Cox – who has a rude nickname – is born — 1962 – DJ Carl Cox – who has a rude nickname – is born in Oldham, England. Respect.

1961 – Bob Dylan performs as part of a Hootenanny — 1961 – Bob Dylan performs as part of a Hootenanny Special at New York’s Riverside Church. The performance is part of a 12-hour radio broadcast.

1961 – In Atlantic City, N.J., promoter Dick Clark unveils his new — 1961 – In Atlantic City, N.J., promoter Dick Clark unveils his new package tour, Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars.

1960 – The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rejected — 1960 – The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rejected proposals that it set up specific controls over radio and TV programs.

1959 – John Sykes of Whitesnake is born this day in rock — 1959 – John Sykes of Whitesnake is born this day in rock History. He wrote ‘Still of the NIght’… Bitchin’

1959 – The Isley Brothers record “Shout.” The so… — 1959 – The Isley Brothers record “Shout.” The song reaches No. 47. Joey Dee & the Starliters take the song to No. 6 in 1962.

1956 – There will be a lot of joy in the Boss’s house today. Patti — 1956 – There will be a lot of joy in the Boss’s house today. Patti Scialfa of the E Street Band – and Mrs. Bruce Springsteen – is born.

1956 – Carl Perkins was on the UK singles with ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ on This Day in Rock History! — 1956 – Carl Perkins was on the UK singles with ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ on This Day in Rock History! Johnny Cash planted the seed for the song in the fall of [...]

1953 – Vocalist Geddy Lee of Rush is born in Toron… — 1953 – Vocalist Geddy Lee of Rush is born in Toronto. He is also featured on the No. 16 single “Take Off” by Bob & Doug McKenzie, characters from “SCTV” [...]

1946 – REO Speedwagon keyboardist Neal Doughty is … — 1946 – REO Speedwagon keyboardist Neal Doughty is born in Evanston, Ill.