On This Day in Rock History
2010 – Rob Halford has released the official music video for the song — 2010 – Rob Halford has released the official music video for the song “Like There’s No Tomorrow”, from the new Halford CD ‘Made Of Metal’. Produced by Roy Z. and recorded [...]
2007 – Velvet Revolver were forced to cancel a four-city Japanese after their requests — 2007 – Velvet Revolver were forced to cancel a four-city Japanese after their requests for visas was rejected. Officials were said to have refused the band entry to Japan due [...]
2007 – Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke admitted he was among the thousands — 2007 – Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke admitted he was among the thousands of people who paid nothing to download the band’s latest album In Rainbows. Speaking to BBC 6 Music’s [...]
2005 – Singer/songwriter Chris Whitley dies at the… — 2005 – Singer/songwriter Chris Whitley dies at the age of 45 after battling lung cancer.
2005 – Madonna adds a ninth U.K. No. 1 album to he… — 2005 – Madonna adds a ninth U.K. No. 1 album to her career tally, joining her 11th No. 1 single to complete her domination of the British sales charts. “Confessions [...]
2005 – Robbie Williams smashed a Guinness World Record by selling more than 1.6 million — 2005 – Robbie Williams smashed a Guinness World Record by selling more than 1.6 million tickets for his 2006 World Tour in one day. The tickets, snapped up on the [...]
2004 – Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was fined £40,000 after a fight in a German — 2004 – Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was fined £40,000 after a fight in a German hotel. Gallagher was arrested along with drummer Alan White and three other members of the [...]
2003 – VH1 Big In ’03 tapes at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. — 2003 – VH1 Big In ’03 tapes at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Outkast, Matchbox Twenty, Shania Twain and Kid Rock all perform.
2003 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces it will induct Prince, — 2003 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces it will induct Prince, George Harrison, Traffic, Bob Seger, Jackson Browne, ZZ Top, and doo-wop group the Dells in 2004. [...]
2003 – Michael Jackson is formally charged in Santa Barbara, Calif., on — 2003 – Michael Jackson is formally charged in Santa Barbara, Calif., on suspicion of child molestation. The self-styled King of Pop is released withn an hour of being booked after [...]
2003- Pathologists confirm that the late R&B singer Aaliyah (“Are You — 2003- Pathologists confirm that the late R&B singer Aaliyah (“Are You That Somebody?”) died from severe burns and a blow to the head after her overloaded Cessna crashed in Marsh [...]
2003 – Producer Phil Spector pleads not guilty in … — 2003 – Producer Phil Spector pleads not guilty in the shooting Deaths of actress Lana Clarkson. Spector is formally charged with one count of murder by the Los Angeles County [...]
2003 – 50 Cent scores three awards at the inaugura… — 2003 – 50 Cent scores three awards at the inaugural Vibe Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Receiving statuettes for artist of the year, dopest album (“Get Rich or Die Tryin'”) [...]
2001 – Country chanteuse Deana Carter releases her… — 2001 – Country chanteuse Deana Carter releases her first holiday album, “Father Christmas,” on her own Deanatone Records.
2001 – Madonna’s childhood home in Oakland County Michigan, sold at an — 2001 – Madonna’s childhood home in Oakland County Michigan, sold at an auction in just 12 minutes. The house, along with a few items of Rock memorabilia was purchased for [...]
2000 – Aretha Franklin, Snoop Dogg, and Brian McKn… — 2000 – Aretha Franklin, Snoop Dogg, and Brian McKnight are among the performers who take part in the third annual “Soul Train” Christmas Starfest at the Santa Monica (Calif.) Civic [...]
1999 – R&B superstar Brandy appears in her first t… — 1999 – R&B superstar Brandy appears in her first television special. The hour-long program, billed as “Brandy In Concert: A Special For The Holidays,” features songs taped at a recent [...]
1999 – Patty Loveless kicks off the holiday season… — 1999 – Patty Loveless kicks off the holiday season by traveling aboard a CSX Transportation train bearing gifts to families along a route from Pikeville, Ky., Loveless’ hometown, to Kingsport, [...]
1998 – Skatalites saxophonist Roland Alphonso, 67,… — 1998 – Skatalites saxophonist Roland Alphonso, 67, dies at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He had been in a coma after suffering a seizure earlier in the month.
1998 – Alanis Morissette does an in store performa… — 1998 – Alanis Morissette does an in store performance for the opening of a Tower records store in Buenos Aires. Proceeds from the sale of her album for the day [...]
1998 – A three-day World Conference on Music and C… — 1998 – A three-day World Conference on Music and Censorship begins in Copenhagen with aims to establish a support organization for musicians, similar to writers’ free speech body PEN.
1997 – In New York, Paul McCartney tapes a performance for The — 1997 – In New York, Paul McCartney tapes a performance for The Oprah Winfrey Show.
1997 – Celebrated music journalist Robert Palmer d… — 1997 – Celebrated music journalist Robert Palmer dies in a New York hospital. He is 52. Palmer, who endured a long bout with liver disease, was awaiting a possible transplant. [...]
1995 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Exhale (Shoo… — 1995 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” Whitney Houston.
1994 – David Crosby receives a liver transplant on this — 1994 – David Crosby receives a liver transplant on this day in rock history!
1991 – Randy Jackson is sentenced in Los Angeles t… — 1991 – Randy Jackson is sentenced in Los Angeles to a month in jail for violating probation. The 30-year-old brother of superstar Michael Jackson had pleaded no contest in January [...]
1991 – The Rolling Stones announced they’d signed a £20 million deal with Virgin Records — 1991 – The Rolling Stones announced they’d signed a £20 million deal with Virgin Records, to make three albums over six years.
1985 – Bob Dylan begins recording tracks with Eurythmic David A — 1985 – Bob Dylan begins recording tracks with Eurythmic David A. Stewart for inclusion on his album Knocked Out Loaded.
1984 – a large crowd of fans watched the unveiling of a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star for Michael Jackson — 1984 – a large crowd of fans watched the unveiling of a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star for Michael Jackson in front of Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Jackson [...]
1981 – Prince played the first night on his 56-date North American — 1981 – Prince played the first night on his 56-date North American ‘Controversy’ tour at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1979 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “No More Tear… — 1979 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough),” Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer. The song is the fourth No. 1 for both women, including [...]
1976 – Paul Simon hosted NBC’s Saturday Night Live where he performed live with George Harrison — George Harrison, Lorne Michaels and Paul Simon 1976 – Paul Simon hosted NBC’s Saturday Night Live where he performed live with George Harrison on ‘Here Comes The Sun’ and ‘Homeward Bound’. [...]
1975 – Undaunted by their disastrous concerts, the Who kick off — 1975 – Undaunted by their disastrous concerts, the Who kick off yet another American tour at Houston’s Summit. During the after-show party, bassist John Entwistle is arrested on charges of [...]
1975 – The Bay City Rollers’ Les McKeown was found not guilty of causing the — 1975 – The Bay City Rollers’ Les McKeown was found not guilty of causing the death of a 76 year old woman that he had hit with his car the [...]
1973 – The Who’s Keith Moon collapses during a performance at San — 1973 – The Who’s Keith Moon collapses during a performance at San Francisco’s Cow Palace after someone spikes his drink with horse tranquilizer. A 19-year-old member of the audience ends [...]
1971 – At the top of the American pop chart is Isaac Hayes with “Theme — 1971 – At the top of the American pop chart is Isaac Hayes with “Theme From Shaft.” Topping the R&B chart is Marvin Gaye with “Inner City Blues.”
1971 – Led Zeppelin play the first of two “Electric Magic” shows at — 1971 – Led Zeppelin play the first of two “Electric Magic” shows at London’s Wembley Empire Pool. The shows incorporate trapeze artists, performing pigs, and vaudeville performers with Bronco, Stone [...]
1970 – Ray Davies flies to London to re-record a lyric to “Apeman” and — 1970 – Ray Davies flies to London to re-record a lyric to “Apeman” and make it acceptable for radio airplay. Programmers object to the line “The air pollution is a-foggin’ [...]
1968 – Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites are approached by Albert Grossman — 1968 – Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites are approached by Albert Grossman to help the newly solo Janis Joplin put together her own band.
1967 – The Beach Boys release their own album of throbbing tones, Smiley — 1967 – The Beach Boys release their own album of throbbing tones, Smiley Smile. The follow-up to Pet Sounds fails to chart despite boasting the singles “Heroes and Villains” and [...]
1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Incense and Peppermints,” Strawberry Alarm Clock. — 1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Incense and Peppermints,” Strawberry Alarm Clock.
1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Incense and … — 1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Incense and Peppermints,” Strawberry Alarm Clock.
1967 – Today’s issue of Time delivers the verdict on the Doors’ second album — 1967 – Today’s issue of Time delivers the verdict on the Doors’ second album, Strange Days. The magazine’s rock writer decides the LP “takes its listeners not only past such [...]
1965 – Michael Diamond, better known to Beastie Boys fans as Mike D, is born in New York. . — 1965 – Michael Diamond, better known to Beastie Boys fans as Mike D, is born in New York. .
1964 – On the British music show Ready Steady Go tonight, the Rolling Stones — 1964 – On the British music show Ready Steady Go tonight, the Rolling Stones lip-sync their songs “Off the Hook,” “Around and Around,” and “Little Red Rooster.” The latter enters [...]
1964 – Marvin Gaye arrives in Britain to promote his single “How Sweet It Is (To B — 1964 – Marvin Gaye arrives in Britain to promote his single “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).”
1964 – John Lennon films a comic sketch for the British TV series Not — 1964 – John Lennon films a comic sketch for the British TV series Not Only but Also with Dudley Moore on Wimbledon Common.
1961 – Today’s issue of Billboard measures the extent of the Twist craze — 1961 – Today’s issue of Billboard measures the extent of the Twist craze. Chubby Checker, Joey Dee & the Starlighters, and Dion have all signed to appear in Twist-related films. [...]
1961 – Bob Dylan begins recording his self-titled debut in New York’s — 1961 – Bob Dylan begins recording his self-titled debut in New York’s Columbia Studio A. John Hammond is producer.
1959 – WABC-TV in New York fires DJ Alan Freed after he — 1959 – WABC-TV in New York fires DJ Alan Freed after he refuses to deny that he accepted payola.
1956 – Ever wondered what the hell happened to indie noisemakers — 1956 – Ever wondered what the hell happened to indie noisemakers Band of Susans? Singer/guitarist Richard Poss has a birthday today. Crank your copy of Hope Against Hope.
1954 – Frank Marino (Francesco Antonio Marino), guitarist for Mahogony Rush is born on This Day in Rock! — 1954 – Frank Marino (Francesco Antonio Marino), guitarist for Mahogony Rush is born on This Day in Rock! Born in Montreal on November 20, 1954, many fans compared his playing [...]
1952 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “It’s in the … — 1952 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “It’s in the Book,” Johnny Standley.
1950 – Gentle Giant’s guitar midget, Gary Green is born. — 1950 – Gentle Giant’s guitar midget, Gary Green is born.
1947 – Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh is born in New Y… — 1947 – Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh is born in New York. As a solo artist he has four top 20 albums, including “The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get,” [...]
1947 – Poco drummer George Grantham is born in Cordell, Okla. — 1947 – Poco drummer George Grantham is born in Cordell, Okla.
1946 – Guitarist Duane Allman is born in Nashville… — 1946 – Guitarist Duane Allman is born in Nashville, Tenn. Howard Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) was an American, lead guitarist of the southern rock group The [...]
1946 – Mud bassist Roy Stiles is born in Carshalton, England. — 1946 – Mud bassist Roy Stiles is born in Carshalton, England.
1944 – Producer Mike Vernon is born in Harrow, England. As well as i — 1944 – Producer Mike Vernon is born in Harrow, England. As well as introducing John Mayall to Eric Clapton, he was responsible for the ’60s output of blues bands like [...]
1942 – Norman Greenbaum, who scored a No. 3 hit with “Spirit — 1942 – Norman Greenbaum, who scored a No. 3 hit with “Spirit in the Sky,” is born in Malden, Mass.