Rock History

On this day...

2013 – 3 Doors Down Cancels tour due to bassist Robert Todd Harrell’s arrest on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2013 – 3 Doors Down Cancels tour due to bassist Robert Todd Harrell’s arrest on This Day in Rock Music History! 3 Doors Down bass Player Robert Todd Harrell is arrested [...]

2012 – Sinead O’Connor cancels tour due to bipolar disorder on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2012 – Sinead O’Connor cancels tour due to bipolar disorder on This Day in Rock Music History! O’Connor added that she had a “very serious breakdown” between December and March, but [...]

2012 – Tracer Kicks off UK tour on This Day in Rock History ! — 2012 – Tracer Kicks off UK tour on This Day in Rock History ! Due to popular demand, Australian power rock trio TRACER kick off their first nationwide headline UK tour [...]

2007 – aides to George Bush were told they couldn’t book a luxury five star hotel — 2007 - aides to George Bush were told they couldn’t book a luxury five star hotel suite because Mick Jagger had already booked it during The Rolling Stones current world tour. [...]

2007 – The Arctic Monkeys sold 85,000 copies of their new album — Arctic Monkeys 2007 - The Arctic Monkeys sold 85,000 copies of their new album ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ on its first day in UK shops, putting it on course to be the year’s [...]

2007 – Sheryl Crow said a ban on using too much toilet paper should be — 2007 - Sheryl Crow said a ban on using too much toilet paper should be introduced to help the environment. The singer suggested using “only one square per restroom visit, except, [...]

2004 – Californian agit-rockers System of a Down (“Chop Suey”)… — 2004 -  Californian agit-rockers System of a Down (“Chop Suey”) play a concert at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre to commemorate the Armenian genocide of 1895 – 1915.

2003 – the first official UK download chart was compiled after the big five record — 2003 - the first official UK download chart was compiled after the big five record companies- EMI, Warners, Sony, BMG and Universal combined for a Digital Download day. Over 150,000 computer [...]

2003 – “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer Sinead O’Connor tells… — 2003 -  “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer Sinead O’Connor tells her Web site users that she’s retiring from the music business. She adds, “I would request that as of July, [...]

2003 – The White Stripes perform their cover of Dolly Parton… — 2003 -  The White Stripes perform their cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” on Late Night With Conan O’Brien. The feted Detroit rockers play four straight nights on the TV talkfest.

2003 – Already under fire for their criticism of George W. Bush… — 2003 -  Already under fire for their criticism of George W. Bush, the Dixie Chicks appear nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. The C&W trio say the pic is [...]

2003 – Florida pomp rockers Creed are sued by four fans… — 2003 -  Florida pomp rockers Creed are sued by four fans who claim singer Scott Stapp was so “intoxicated and/or medicated that he was unable to sing the lyrics of [...]

2002 A judge rules that Courtney Love will not have to undergo… — 2002 A judge rules that Courtney Love will not have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation as part of her legal struggle with Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic over [...]

2002 – Pop singer Jewel breaks a collarbone and a … — 2002 – Pop singer Jewel breaks a collarbone and a rib, and suffers bumps and bruises when she is thrown from a horse at the Texas ranch of her boyfriend, [...]

2001 – Tim McGraw celebrates the release of his ne… — 2001 – Tim McGraw celebrates the release of his new Curb album, “Set This Circus Down” with free performances in New York and Nashville. With his band the Dancehall Doctors, [...]

2001 – As part of their 35th Birthdays celebration… — 2001 – As part of their 35th Birthdays celebration, The Bee Gees release their latest album, This is Where I Came In.

2000 – Limp Bizkit announces details of its planne… — 2000 -  announces details of its planned 24-date “Back To Basics” tour. Kicking off July 4 and ending Aug. 6, the tour _ with rappers Cypress Hill in tow _ [...]

1998 – Bruce Springsteen’s father Douglas Springsteen dies… — 1998 -  Bruce Springsteen’s father Douglas Springsteen dies in Belmont, Calif. Their often tempestous relationship inspired Bruce’s songs “Independence Day,” “Mansion on the Hill” and “Adam Raised a Cain.”

1998 – Douglas Springsteen, the mill hand and ex-p… — 1998 – Douglas Springsteen, the mill hand and ex-prison guard who inspired his son Bruce’s songs “Adam Raised a Cain,” “Independence Day,” “My Hometown,” “Mansion on the Hill” and “My [...]

1996 – Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo ma… — Stone Temple Pilots 1996 – Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo makes the national announcement on the Westwood Radio One Network that Stone Temple Pilots’ lead singer Scott Weiland is in [...]

1995 – Oasis released ‘Some Might Say’ which went on to give the band — 1995 - Oasis released ‘Some Might Say’ which went on to give the band their first UK No.1 single.

1994 – Madonna visits the San Antonio Spurs locker room to applaud… — 1994 -  Madonna visits the San Antonio Spurs locker room to applaud David Robinson on his game.

1993 – Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young… — 1993 -  Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young unite for the sixth edition of Farm Aid. This year it’s held in Ames, Iowa.

1992 – Wilson Pickett was arrested after running into an 86 year old — 1992 - Wilson Pickett was arrested after running into an 86 year old man and yelling death threats whilst driving his car over the mayor’s front lawn in Englewood, New Jersey. [...]

1992 – In Switzerland, David Bowie marries his second wife, Iman. — 1992 -  In Switzerland, David Bowie marries his second wife, Iman.

1992 – Jimmy Buffett plays Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to raise… — 1992 -  Jimmy Buffett plays Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to raise money for his Save the Manatees organization.

1992 – Michael Jackson is sued for using a snippet… — 1992 -  Michael Jackson is sued for using a snippet of the Cleveland Orchestra’s recording of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on his Dangerous album.

1991 – A Kentucky man accuses Whitney Houston and her… — 1991 -  A Kentucky man accuses Whitney Houston and her brother Michael of assault after a fight broke out with her entourage at a Lexington, Ky., hotel.

1990 – While preparing Roger Waters’ ambitious production… — 1990 -  While preparing Roger Waters’ ambitious production of The Wall at the Berlin Wall, workers discover an unexploded bomb from the World War II era.

1989 – Tom Petty releases his first solo album, Full Moon Fever. — 1989 – Tom Petty releases his first solo album, Full Moon Fever.

1984 – R.E.M. kicked off a 7-date UK tour at the Tin Can Club, Birmingham — 1984 - R.E.M. kicked off a 7-date UK tour at the Tin Can Club, Birmingham, England, the bands first full UK tour.

1984 – Jerry Lee Lewis marries his sixth wife, 22-… — 1984 – Jerry Lee Lewis marries his sixth wife, 22-year-old Kerrie McCarver.

1982 – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder were at No.1 on the UK singles — Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder 1982 - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Ebony And Ivory.’ This was McCartney’s 24th No.1 hit single as [...]

1979 – Ray Charles’ ‘Georgia On My Mind’ was proclaimed the state — 1979 - Ray Charles’ ‘Georgia On My Mind’ was proclaimed the state song of Georgia.

1977 – Joan Baez and Santana perform a free concert for… — 1977 -  Joan Baez and Santana perform a free concert for the inmates of Soledad Prison in California.

1977 – Talking Heads begins its first European tou… — 1977 – Talking Heads begins its first European tour, supporting the Ramones.

1976 – ‘Wings At The Speed Of Sound’ went to No.1 on the US album chart — 1976 - ’Wings At The Speed Of Sound’ went to No.1 on the US album chart. Paul McCartney’s fifth No.1 after The Beatles.

1976 – Paul and Linda McCartney spent the evening with John Lennon — 1976 - Paul and Linda McCartney spent the evening with John Lennon at his New York Dakota apartment and watched Saturday Night Live on TV. Producer of the show Lorne Michaels [...]

1976 – Led Zeppelin scored their sixth UK No.1 album with ‘Presence’ — 1976 - Led Zeppelin scored their sixth UK No.1 album with ‘Presence’, also No.1 in the US.

1976 – Sex Pistols: The British pop paper Sounds features a two-page spread… — 1976 -  The British pop paper Sounds features a two-page spread on promising newcomers the Sex Pistols.

1975 – While on tour in Florida, Johnny Thunders and… — 1975 -  While on tour in Florida, Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan quit the New York Dolls.

1974 – Born on this day, Brian Marshall, bassist, Creed, (2001 US No.1 — 1974 - Born on this day, Brian Marshall, bassist, Creed, (2001 US No.1 & UK No.13 single ‘With Arms Wide Open’, 2002 US No.1 album, ‘Weathered’).

1974 – David Bowie releases Diamond Dogs. — 1974 -  David Bowie releases Diamond Dogs.

1972 – John Lennon releases “Woman Is the Nigger of the… — 1972 -  John Lennon releases “Woman Is the Nigger of the World” as a single. Despite receiving no radio airplay, the song still goes to No. 54 on the chart.

1971 – Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to No.1 on the US album chart with ’4 Way Street.’ — 1971 - Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to No.1 on the US album chart with ’4 Way Street.’ 4 Way Street is the third album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, their [...]

1970 – Grace Slick and Abbie Hoffman leave a White House party… — 1970 -  Grace Slick and Abbie Hoffman leave a White House party without having dosed young Tricia Nixon with LSD as planned. The Jefferson Airplane singer was invited to the [...]

1969 – Paul McCartney publicly denies rumors that he is dead. — 1969 -  Paul McCartney publicly denies rumors that he is dead.

1968 – Born on this day, Aaron Comess, drums, The Spin Doctors, — 1968 - Born on this day, Aaron Comess, drums, The Spin Doctors, (1993 UK No.3 & US No.7 single ‘Two Princes’).

1968 – Louis Armstrong was at No.1 in the UK with the single ‘What A — 1968 - Louis Armstrong was at No.1 in the UK with the single ‘What A Wonderful World / Cabaret.’ At 69 years of age, it made Armstrong the oldest act ever [...]

1968 – The Beatles new company Apple Records turned down the — 1968 - The Beatles new company Apple Records turned down the offer to sign new artist David Bowie.

1967 – Born on this day, Patty Schemel, Hole, (1995 UK No.16 single ‘Doll Parts’). — 1967 - Born on this day, Patty Schemel, Hole, (1995 UK No.16 single ‘Doll Parts’).

1967 – Born on this day, Shannon Larkin, drummer, Ugly Kid Joe, Godsmack —   1967 - Born on this day, Shannon Larkin, drummer, Ugly Kid Joe, Godsmack, (2003, US No.1 album ‘Faceless’, 2006 US No.1 album ‘IV’).

1965 – Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders went to No1 on the US —   1965 - Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders went to No1 on the US singles chart with ‘Game Of Love’, a No.2 hit in the UK. Wayne took his name from DJ [...]

1965 – The Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” goes to No. 1… — 1965 -  The Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” goes to No. 1 on the U.K. chart. Manager Brian Epstein writes to Melody Maker to point out that Paul McCartney performs the [...]

1963 – Born on this day, Billy Gould, Faith No More — 1963 - Born on this day, Billy Gould, Faith No More, (1993 UK No.3 and US No.4 single ‘I’m Easy’).

1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Will Follo… — 1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Will Follow Him,” Little Peggy March. Peggy is 15 years old when the song hits the top, making her the youngest [...]

1961 – Del Shannon started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1961 - Del Shannon started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Runaway’, also a No.1 in the UK. Del was the first person to have [...]

1961 – Bob Dylan earns a $50 session fee playing h… — 1961 – Bob Dylan earns a $50 session fee playing harmonica on Harry Belafonte’s “Midnight Special.”

1959, Buddy Holly was at No.1 in the UK with the single ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.’ — 1959, Buddy Holly was at No.1 in the UK with the single ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.’ There you go and baby here am I Well you left me here so I could [...]

1959 – The Drifters release their single “There Goes My Baby… — 1959 -  The Drifters release their single “There Goes My Baby.” Not so big a deal, you might think, except that this is the first recording of the rock era [...]

1959 – Your Hit Parade, the Saturday night pop-music… — 1959 – Your Hit Parade, the Saturday night pop-music show that’s been running since April 1935, has its last US radio broadcast.

1958 – Street-tough doo-woppers Dion & the Belmonts… — 1958 -  Street-tough doo-woppers Dion & the Belmonts release their first single, “I Wonder Why.”

1957 – Ricky Nelson releases his first single, “Teenager’s Romance,”… — 1957 -  Ricky Nelson releases his first single, “Teenager’s Romance,” backed with his version of Fats Domino’s “I’m Walkin’.”

1942 – Barbra Streisand is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. … — 1942 – Barbra Streisand is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She ties Katharine Hepburn in 1968 for the Best Actress Oscar for her debut film role in “Funny Girl.” Her biggest [...]