Rock History

On this day...

2012 – 10 fans trade 1979 Who tickets for a Quadraphenia Feb. show on this Day in Rock! — 2012 – 10 fans trade 1979 Who tickets for a Quadraphenia Feb. show on this Day in Rock! Ten fans of English rock band The Who traded in tickets from [...]

2011 – Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” climbed back to the top of the British albums chart on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” climbed back to the top of the British albums chart on This Day in Rock! A week after her death, the album which was [...]

2011 – Stevie Wonder makes a suprise appearance at Drake’s OVO Fest on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Stevie Wonder makes a suprise appearance at Drake’s OVO Fest on This Day in Rock!

2004 – Simon & Garfunkel wrap up the European leg of their reunion tour — 2004 – Simon & Garfunkel wrap up the European leg of their reunion tour with a free gig at Rome’s Coliseum that attracts 600,000 fans.

2003 – The Dixie Chicks’ tour bus is accidentally rear-ended by a pick — 2003 – The Dixie Chicks’ tour bus is accidentally rear-ended by a pick-up truck near Babcock, Texas. The only Chick on board, Emily Robison, escapes unscathed.

2003 – Death Row founder Suge Knight is sentenced to 10 months — 2003 – Death Row founder Suge Knight is sentenced to 10 months in prison after being found guilty by his parole board of punching a parking valet.

1999 – Ol’ Dirty Bastard is arrested on charges of possession of 20 vials of crack cocaine. — 1999 – Ol’ Dirty Bastard is arrested on charges of possession of 20 vials of crack cocaine.

1995 – Selling 331,000 copies, Selena’s “Dreaming… — 1995 – Selling 331,000 copies, Selena’s “Dreaming of You,” her first English album, debuts at No. 1 on the Chart Toppers chart. The slain Tejano singer becomes the first Latin [...]

1993 – Saxophonist Don Myrick of Earth, Wind & Fire dies. — 1993 – Saxophonist Don Myrick of Earth, Wind & Fire dies.

1984 – Eric Clapton leaves Roger Waters’ Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking — 1984 – Eric Clapton leaves Roger Waters’ Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking tour in Canada after two weeks.

1981 – Debbie Harry, lead singer of the 1970′s new… — 1981 – Debbie Harry, lead singer of the 1970′s new wave group Blondie, releases a solo album, “Koo Koo.” It includes a controversial picture of the singer with long needles [...]

1980 – John Phillips, leader of the Mamas and Papa… — 1980 – John Phillips, leader of the Mamas and Papas, is arrested by the FBI for possession of cocaine. He is sentenced to five years in prison but lectures against [...]

1979 – James Taylor plays New York’s Central Park for free to show his support v — 1979 – James Taylor plays New York’s Central Park for free to show his support for a campaign to restore the park’s Sheep Meadow.

1978 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Miss You,” … — 1978 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Miss You,” The Rolling Stones. The song is the band’s eighth No. 1 single.

1971 – At a Who concert in Forest Hills, N.Y., a security guard is stabbed. — 1971 – At a Who concert in Forest Hills, N.Y., a security guard is stabbed.

1971 – Big day in Stones history: At London’s Rialto cinema, the documentary — 1971 – Big day in Stones history: At London’s Rialto cinema, the documentary Gimme Shelter premieres. The film includes footage from the infamous concert at Altamont.

1971 – Pink Floyd leave England to set out on their first tour of the Far East. — 1971 – Pink Floyd leave England to set out on their first tour of the Far East.

1971 – No. 1 on the charts is James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” — 1971 – No. 1 on the charts is James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend.”

1971 – Bob Dylan appears at George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh — 1971 – Bob Dylan appears at George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden. It’s his only major live appearance this year.

1970 – After Decca Records demands a final single from the Rolling Stones to make — 1970 – After Decca Records demands a final single from the Rolling Stones to make them fulfill their contract, Richards and Jagger deliver the unreleasable “Cocksucker Blues.” The single becomes [...]

1970 – John Lennon’s ex-wife, Cynthia, marries Roberto Bassanini. — 1970 – John Lennon’s ex-wife, Cynthia, marries Roberto Bassanini.

1969 – A day before beginning his reputation-making stand at Las Vegas’ International — 1969 – A day before beginning his reputation-making stand at Las Vegas’ International Hotel, Elvis Presley plays a private concert for press and friends like Wayne Newton, Dick Clark, and [...]

1968 – The Beatles record “Hey Jude.” It tops Ch… — 1968 – The Beatles record “Hey Jude.” It tops Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 singles chart for nine weeks, making it the megagroup’s biggest hit. “Hey Jude” is a song by the [...]

1967 – After a public outcry, a London Appeals Court drops drug charges against — 1967 – After a public outcry, a London Appeals Court drops drug charges against Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Mick Jagger, also busted for drugs, has his jail sentence reduced [...]

1966 – In Birmingham, Ala., a Beatles record-burning session is held to — 1966 – In Birmingham, Ala., a Beatles record-burning session is held to protest John Lennon’s “bigger than Jesus” remark.

1966 – Cream play their first gig in Windsor, England. — 1966 – Cream play their first gig in Windsor, England.

1965 – In England, the Yardbirds with Jeff Beck perform at the — 1965 – In England, the Yardbirds with Jeff Beck perform at the Cleethorpes Jazz Festival.

1964 – Country music singer Jim Reeves dies at age… — 1964 – Country music singer Jim Reeves dies at age 39 in a plane crash near Nashville, Tenn., along with his manager, Dean Manuel. Reeves’ hits include “Welcome to My [...]

1964 – A Rolling Stones concert in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is stopped after — 1964 – A Rolling Stones concert in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is stopped after only 12 minutes when violence breaks out in the audience.

1964 – Martha & the Vandellas release “Dancing in the Street — 1964 – Martha & the Vandellas release “Dancing in the Street,” which later goes to No. 2.

1963 – Norman Cook, aka that guy in the Housemartins aka Beats — 1963 – Norman Cook, aka that guy in the Housemartins aka Beats International aka Freak Power aka Pizzaman aka Fatboy Slim, is born in Bromley, England.

1959- Neil Sedaka records “Oh! Carol.” The song, written for Carole — 1959- Neil Sedaka records “Oh! Carol.” The song, written for Carole King, later peaks at No. 9 on the singles chart.

1958 – Bill Berry of R.E.M. is born. … — 1958 – Bill Berry of R.E.M. is born.

1956 – Elvis Presley is given a ticket for speeding in Hattiesburg, Miss. — 1956 – Elvis Presley is given a ticket for speeding in Hattiesburg, Miss.

1946 – Guitarist Bob Welch, a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1971 — 1946 – Guitarist Bob Welch, a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974, is born in Los Angeles.

1945 – Gary Lewis (Gary Levitch) of Gary Lewis & t… — 1945 – Gary Lewis (Gary Levitch) of Gary Lewis & the Playboys is born in New York. The group’s only No. 1 song is the million-selling “This Diamond Ring” in [...]