On This Day in Rock History
2010 – Pearl Jam will be celebrating their twentieth anniversary with a new live album — 2010 – Pearl Jam will be celebrating their twentieth anniversary with a new live album titled Live on Ten Legs. Along with a selection of the band’s live favourites, the [...]
2008 – Bettie Page (April 22, 1923 – December 11, 2008) was a former American — 2008 – Bettie Page (April 22, 1923 – December 11, 2008) was a former American model who became famous in the 1950s for her fetish modeling and pin-up photos. She [...]
2008 – Simon Cowell said he was “very embarrassed” after contracts signed — 2008 – Simon Cowell said he was “very embarrassed” after contracts signed by this year’s X Factor contestants were leaked to the Daily Mirror newspaper. The 80-page document, which is [...]
2008 – For Axl Rose, it’s bad times. A week ago, his much-anticipated — 2008 – For Axl Rose, it’s bad times. A week ago, his much-anticipated album Chinese Democracy debuted to less-than-stellar chart showings – in the UK it was handily beat by [...]
2003 – The RIAA certifies AC/DC’s Back In Black as the world’s second — 2003 – The RIAA certifies AC/DC’s Back In Black as the world’s second-best-selling album of all time, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Back in black I hit the sack It’s been too long I’m [...]
2003 – Gloom merchants The Cure play their smallest British gig in — 2003 – Gloom merchants The Cure play their smallest British gig in years at the Islington Carling Academy to benefit charity.
2003 – Scotty Moore, the guitarist who with Elvis Presley concocted the sound — 2003 – Scotty Moore, the guitarist who with Elvis Presley concocted the sound of rock ‘n’ roll on “That’s All Right, Mama,” is said to be serious but stable condition [...]
2003 – MTV gives viewers a glimpse into the holida… — 2003 – MTV gives viewers a glimpse into the holiday season at the home of Ozzy Osbourne and his family with “The Osbourne Family Christmas Special.” A wide range of [...]
2002 – David Lee Roth sues Van Halen, alleging his old band didn’t include — 2002 – David Lee Roth sues Van Halen, alleging his old band didn’t include him in a 1996 renegotiation of their contract with Warner Bros. Abuse, Abuse and abuse! Can’t we [...]
2002 – The hobbled Guns N’ Roses North American to… — 2002 – The hobbled Guns N’ Roses North American tour suffers a final blow as promoter Clear Channel Entertainment confirms it is canceling the remaining dates with which it is [...]
2002 – Electronica maven Moby (Richard Melville Ha… — 2002 – Electronica maven Moby (Richard Melville Hall) is assaulted following a show at Boston’s Paradise Club. In posts on his website, Moby claims to have been attacked by three [...]
2001 – Kylie Minogue takes three awards and perfor… — 2001 – Kylie Minogue takes three awards and performs at the first Italian Dance Awards, held at the Alcatraz Club in Milan. She wins for best foreign dance artists, and [...]
2000 – Radiohead takes to the airwaves of the U.K…. — 2000 – Radiohead takes to the airwaves of the U.K.’s BBC Radio to debut a re-recorded version of “The National Anthem,” the first of four new renditions of tracks from [...]
2000 – former Verve front man Richard Ashcroft was forced to cancel — 2000 – former Verve front man Richard Ashcroft was forced to cancel the remaining dates on his current UK tour after he fell on stage and broke two ribs. The [...]
1998 – At New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, Cher, Bette Midler — 1998 – At New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, Cher, Bette Midler and Ace of Base take part in the Miracle on 34th Street Concert.
1998 – The Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli is injured in … — 1998 – The Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli is injured in an incident following the group’s performance at the Liberty Lunch club in Austin, Texas. The singer gets into an altercation [...]
1997 – Mick Jagger’s Internet company, Jagged Inte… — 1997 – Mick Jagger’s Internet company, Jagged Internetworks, debuts with an exclusive live webcast of the Akai Singer Champions Trophy, an international cricket tournament in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
1997 – Jewel, Sinead O’Connor and Emmylou Harris p… — 1997 – Jewel, Sinead O’Connor and Emmylou Harris perform the Beatles’ classic “In My Life” together at the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo’s Nationaltheateret.
1996 – “MTV’s Unplugged” presents George Michael… but with some plugs — 1996 – “MTV’s Unplugged” presents George Michael… but with some plugs. Taped in London in October, Michael performs songs from all three of his solo albums on this day in [...]
1996 – Johnny Marr and Morrissey were left with a £300,000 legal bill — 1996 – Johnny Marr and Morrissey were left with a £300,000 legal bill after loosing a case over unpaid royalties with former Smiths members Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce.
1995 – Folk critic Robert Shelton dies in Brighton, England. As a writer for The New York — 1995 – Folk critic Robert Shelton dies in Brighton, England. As a writer for The New York Times, Shelton was instrumental in bringing the unknown performer Bob Dylan to the [...]
1995 – “Gangsta’s Paradise” from the movie “Dan… — 1995 – “Gangsta’s Paradise” from the movie “Dangerous Minds” by Coolio featuring L.V. tops the year-end Chart Toppers Hot 100 singles chart followed by TLC’s “Waterfalls” and Stone Temple Pilots’ [...]
1995 – “Cracked Rear View” by Hootie and the Blo… — 1995 – “Cracked Rear View” by Hootie and the Blowfish tops the year’s album chart followed by Garth Brooks’ “The Hits” and “II” by Boyz II Men.
1993 – Janet Jackson started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1993 – Janet Jackson started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Again’, her 7th US No.1, a No.6 hit in the UK.
1989 – The Recording Industry Association of America certified four Led Zeppelin — 1989 – The Recording Industry Association of America certified four Led Zeppelin albums as multi-platinum: ‘Presence’ (2 million), ‘Led Zeppelin’ (4 million), ‘Physical Graffiti’ (4 million) and ‘In Through The [...]
1988 – Days after the death of the great Roy Orbison, Don Henley, Tom Petty — 1988 – Days after the death of the great Roy Orbison, Don Henley, Tom Petty, and Graham Nash perform a concert in his honor at the Wiltern Theatre in Los [...]
1988 – MTV Europe exceeds the 5 million household viewers on this day — 1988 – MTV Europe exceeds the 5 million household viewers on this day in rock history!. Europe knows good music!
1976 – At a KISS concert in Florida, Ace Frehley accidentally touches a short — 1976 – At a KISS concert in Florida, Ace Frehley accidentally touches a short-circuited light bulb and is electrocuted. An unconscious Frehley is taken off the stage, then wheeled back [...]
1976 – England Dan & John Ford Coley hits #10 with “Nights Are — 1976 – England Dan & John Ford Coley hits #10 with “Nights Are Forever Without You”.
1973 – Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley was nearly electrocuted during a concert — Kiss 1973 – Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley was nearly electrocuted during a concert in Florida when he touched a short-circuited light. The guitarist was carried from the stage but returned 10 [...]
1972 – James Brown is arrested and charged with disorderly conduct following — 1972 – James Brown is arrested and charged with disorderly conduct following a show in Knoxville, Tenn. A man reported to police that Brown was trying to start a riot [...]
1972 – Genesis make their American live debut with a show at Massachusetts — 1972 – Genesis make their American live debut with a show at Massachusetts’ Brandeis University.
1971 – Ann Arbor, Mich., hosts a benefit concert for White Panther — 1971 – Ann Arbor, Mich., hosts a benefit concert for White Panther and former manager of the MC5 John Sinclair. Among the performers are John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Commander [...]
1971 – James Brown releases his 32nd album, Revolution of the Mind — 1971 – James Brown releases his 32nd album, Revolution of the Mind: Live at the Apollo, Volume 3, boasting the half-hour epic “It’s a New Day So Let a Man [...]
1971 – Blood Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton Thomas appears — 1971 – Blood Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton Thomas appears in a spot on Canadian TV supporting the Save the Seals Campaign.
1971 – Chart-Toppers: David Bowie releases ‘Hunky Dory,’ which contains — 1971 – Chart-Toppers: David Bowie releases ‘Hunky Dory,’ which contains the classic “Changes” on this day in rock history!
1971 – Chart-Toppers: Chi-Lites hit #3 with “Have You Seen Her”. on — 1971 – Chart-Toppers: Chi-Lites hit #3 with “Have You Seen Her”. on this day in rock history!
1969 – The Magic Christian, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, receives — 1969 – The Magic Christian, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, receives its premiere at a Royal Command Performance in London. Outside the cinema, John Lennon and Yoko Ono parade [...]
1968 – Lennon also puts his home in Weybridge, England up for — 1968 – Lennon also puts his home in Weybridge, England up for sale on this day in rock history!
1968 – The Rolling Stones begin taping their Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus TV special in — 1968 – The Rolling Stones begin taping their Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus TV special in England, as their album Beggar’s Banquet debuts in the British album charts at No. 3. [...]
1967 – The Beatles partnership Apple Music signs its first act, Grapefruit — 1967 – The Beatles partnership Apple Music signs its first act, Grapefruit on this day in rock history!
1967 – Jethro Tull is formed on this day in rock history! Flute — 1967 – Jethro Tull is formed on this day in rock history! Flute Supreme edition.
1966 – Beatles manager Brian Epstein tries to sign Little Richard after — 1966 – Beatles manager Brian Epstein tries to sign Little Richard after promoting two of the wild rocker’s London concerts. Richard declines the offer.
1964 – Justin Currie, leader of Scotch rockers Del Amitri, is born. — 1964 – Justin Currie, leader of Scotch rockers Del Amitri, is born.
1964 – Sam Cooke is shot to Deaths at the Hacienda… — 1964 – Sam Cooke is shot to Deaths at the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles. He is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. His biggest [...]
1963 – The Beatles appear on the BBC’s Juke Box Jury, passing comment — 1963 – The Beatles appear on the BBC’s Juke Box Jury, passing comment on that week’s new records.
1961 – Elvis Presley started a 20-week run at No.1 on the US album — 1961 – Elvis Presley started a 20-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Blue Hawaii’, his seventh US No.1 album.
1960 – Aretha Franklin makes her New York debut at… — 1960 – Aretha Franklin makes her New York debut at the Village Vanguard.
1958 – Motley Crue bassist and – some would say – mastermind, Nikki Sixx — 1958 – Motley Crue bassist and – some would say – mastermind, Nikki Sixx is born in Seattle. Although “mind” isn’t the first thing that comes to, er, mind when [...]
1957 – Jerry Lee Lewis marries his 13-year-old cou… — 1957 – Jerry Lee Lewis marries his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown.
1954 – Jermaine Jackson is born in Gary, Ind., the… — 1954 – Jermaine Jackson is born in Gary, Ind., the fourth oldest child of the singing Jackson family. He marries Hazel Joy Gordy, daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., [...]
1946 – Tony Brown, who has played bass for stars like Bob — 1946 – Tony Brown, who has played bass for stars like Bob Dylan and John Martyn, is born in Greensboro, N.C.
1944 – Brenda Lee (Brenda Mae Tarpley) is born in … — 1944 – Brenda Lee (Brenda Mae Tarpley) is born in Lithonia, Ga. Her biggest hit is “I’m Sorry,” a No. 1 song for three weeks in 1960.
1944 – Booker T. Jones is born in Memphis, Tenn. … — 1944 – Booker T. Jones is born in Memphis, Tenn.
1941 – J. Frank Wilson is born in Lufkin, Texas. With his band the — 1941 – J. Frank Wilson is born in Lufkin, Texas. With his band the Cavaliers, he enjoyed a huge hit with 1964’s melodramatic “Last Kiss.” Pearl Jam later successfully covered [...]
1940 – Bread songwriter David Gates is born in Tulsa, Okla. — 1940 – Bread songwriter David Gates is born in Tulsa, Okla. on this day in rock history! The Voice doesn’t quite match the look… When he was younger it matched a [...]
1931 – New Orleans soul one-off Benny Spellman, who recorded — 1931 – New Orleans soul one-off Benny Spellman, who recorded the memorable “Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette),” is born in Pensacola, Fla.
1926 – R&B legend Big Mama Thornton, whose powerhouse vocals are — 1926 – R&B legend Big Mama Thornton, whose powerhouse vocals are heard to excellent effect on her rendition of “Hound Dog,” is born in Montgomery, Ala. Willie Mae (“Big Mama”) Thornton [...]