On This Day in Rock History
2013 – Peter Murphy of Bauhaus sentenced 3 years probation on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2013 – Peter Murphy of Bauhaus sentenced 3 years probation on This Day in Rock Music History! Peter Murphy of Bauhaus has been handed a sentence of three years probation, 45 [...]
2013 – Alex Van Halen sues his ex on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2013 – Alex Van Halen sues his ex on This Day in Rock Music History! Alex and Kelly Van Halen divorced over 20 years ago, yet Kelly has kept Van Halen [...]
2008 – GUNS N’ ROSES: ‘Chinese Democracy’ Track Listing Slightly Revised – Oct. 17, 2008 — 2008 – GUNS N’ ROSES: ‘Chinese Democracy’ Track Listing Slightly Revised – Oct. 17, 2008 A slightly revised track listing for the new GUNS N’ ROSES album, “Chinese Democracy”, has now [...]
2008 – Levi Stubbs died today on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2008 – Levi Stubbs died today on This Day in Rock Music History! Levi, 72 had been diagnosed with cancer in 1995 which was proceeded by a stroke and other [...]
2007 – Singer Teresa Brewer died at age 76 on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2007 – Singer Teresa Brewer died at age 76 on This Day in Rock Music History! She had the hits ‘Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now’ and ‘Into Each Life [...]
2004 – Ronan Keating tops the UK album charts with his collection 10 Years — 2004 – Ronan Keating tops the UK album charts with his collection 10 Years of Hits. DJ Eric Prydz returns to the top singles spot with “Call on Me,” knocking [...]
2004 – Singer Marc Almond of ’80s synth duo Soft Cell (“Tainted Love”), — 2004 – Singer Marc Almond of ’80s synth duo Soft Cell (“Tainted Love”), suffers serious head injuries when the motorcycle he is riding hits a car in London.
2004 – Jet win five awards, including Album and Single of the Year for their — 2004 – Jet win five awards, including Album and Single of the Year for their debut Get Born and hit “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” at the Australian Recording [...]
2002 – Renowned dobro player Bashful Brother Oswal… — 2002 – Renowned dobro player Bashful Brother Oswald dies in Nashville after a lengthy illness. He is 90. Although only a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1995, Oswald [...]
2001 – Chart-topping rapper Jay-Z pleads guilty in… — 2001 – Chart-topping rapper Jay-Z pleads guilty in a New York court to stabbing producer Lance “Un” Rivera in a December 1999 incident.
2000 – Go, ODB, go! The Wu-Tang rapper escapes from his handlers while — 2000 – Go, ODB, go! The Wu-Tang rapper escapes from his handlers while being taken from a Pasadena, Calif., rehab center to court, where he was due to discuss his [...]
2000 – Former Wham! singer George Michael buys the piano on which John — 2000 – Former Wham! singer George Michael buys the piano on which John Lennon wrote “Imagine” in an auction organized by Mick Fleetwood.
2000 – John Lennon’s legendary “Imagine” piano is … — 2000 – John Lennon’s legendary “Imagine” piano is the key item at a combined live and Internet auction of Beatles collectibles.
1999 – Thomas Durden, who wrote the lyrics to “Heartbreak Hotel,” dies. — 1999 – Thomas Durden, who wrote the lyrics to “Heartbreak Hotel,” dies this day in rock history!
1999 – Johnny Cash is admitted to Nashville’s Baptist Hospital with — 1999 – Johnny Cash is admitted to Nashville’s Baptist Hospital with a severe case of pneumonia.
1999 – Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band play the first rock concert at the — 1999 – Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band play the first rock concert at the brand-new Staples Center in Los Angeles.
1999 – Veteran rock band Santana sees its newest r… — 1999 – Veteran rock band Santana sees its newest release “Supernatural” jump to the top spot at the nation’s retailers. It’s the Carlos Santana-led group’s first No. 1 release in [...]
1998 – Aerosmith Webcast their concert in Holmdel, N.J. The band members — 1998 – Aerosmith Webcast their concert in Holmdel, N.J. The band members are their own cameramen, with Steven Tyler having a microwave camera on his mike stand and guitarist Joe [...]
1998 – The Wilkinsons make their first official ap… — 1998 – The Wilkinsons make their first official appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. They had made an informal appearance on the Opry once before, when they joined Vince Gill [...]
1997 – Warren G files a lawsuit against Garth Broo… — 1997 – Warren G files a lawsuit against Garth Brooks, his company Blue Rose Inc., and Home Box Office Inc. The suit alleges that Brooks infringed on the rapper’s trademarked [...]
1996 – Composer and conductor Berthold Goldschmidt… — 1996 – Composer and conductor Berthold Goldschmidt dies at the age of 93.
1995 – Sting’s former financial adviser, convicted… — 1995 – Sting’s former financial adviser, convicted of bilking the singer to the tune of $9.4 million, is sentenced in a London court to six years in jail.
1995 – Rhino Home Video releases 58 episodes of “… — 1995 – Rhino Home Video releases 58 episodes of “The Monkees” on 21 cassettes – the largest video boxed set ever.
1991 – John Mellencamp is hospitalized in Seattle … — 1991 – John Mellencamp is hospitalized in Seattle after suffering dizzy spells during a promotion at a local radio station. His doctor later attributes the problem to “too much coffee, [...]
1991 – Country Music Hall of Fame member Tennessee… — 1991 – Country Music Hall of Fame member Tennessee Ernie Ford dies in Reston, Va., at age 72. Ford made his mark as a country singer from the late 1940s [...]
1988 – Opel, a collection of previously unreleased material by Syd Barrett — 1988 – Opel, a collection of previously unreleased material by Syd Barrett, is released in England.
1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Groovy Kind … — 1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Groovy Kind of Love,” Phil Collins. The Mindbenders reached No. 2 with the song in 1966.
1986 – Run-D.M.C.’s remake of “Walk This Way,” a collaboration with Aerosmith’s — 1986 – Run-D.M.C.’s remake of “Walk This Way,” a collaboration with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, enters the Top Forty. It becomes the first big rap-rock crossover hit, reaching [...]
1984 – Bishop Desmond Tutu is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. — 1984 – Bishop Desmond Tutu is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1982 – Diana Ross’ single “Muscles,” written and produced by Michael Jackson, — 1982 – Diana Ross’ single “Muscles,” written and produced by Michael Jackson, enters the Top Forty. Inspired by Jackson’s snake of the same name, the song peaks at #10.
1978 – No. 1 on the singles chart is Frankie Valli with the theme song — 1978 – No. 1 on the singles chart is Frankie Valli with the theme song to Grease. The single goes on to sell a staggering 7 million copies.
1975 – The Bee Gee’s Maurice Gibb marries Yvonne Spencely. — 1975 – The Bee Gee’s Maurice Gibb marries Yvonne Spencely.
1973 – In a court in Nice, France, Keith Richards and his girlfriend Anita — 1973 – In a court in Nice, France, Keith Richards and his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg receive suspended sentences of one year for drug possession. Both also have to pay a [...]
1972 – Tom Donahue is make general manager of influential album — 1972 – Tom Donahue is make general manager of influential album-oriented rock station KSAN-FM, a position he holds until his death in 1975.
1972 – Billy Williams dies in Chicago, at age 61. For 20 years he was — 1972 – Billy Williams dies in Chicago, at age 61. For 20 years he was the lead singer of the Charioteers, and scored a solo No. 3 in 1957 with [...]
1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Ding-a-Li… — 1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Ding-a-Ling,” Chuck Berry. The rude novelty song is Berry’s only No. 1 song.
1971 – Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary) hits #24 with “Wedding Song”. — 1971 – Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary) hits #24 with “Wedding Song”.
1971 – Humble Pie hits #73 with “I Don’t Need a Doctor”this — 1971 – Humble Pie hits #73 with “I Don’t Need a Doctor”this day in rock history!
1969 – Leonard Chess died in Chicago, IL. this day in rock — 1969 – Leonard Chess died in Chicago, IL. this day in rock history!
1969 – The Kinks play their first concert in the U.S. in four years, supporting — 1969 – The Kinks play their first concert in the U.S. in four years, supporting Spirit at New York’s Fillmore East. The American Federation of Musicians banned the group from [...]
1969 – Hot Chocolate release their cover of “Give Peace a — 1969 – Hot Chocolate release their cover of “Give Peace a Chance.” The band was best known for 1975’s “You Sexy Thing.”
1968 – Ziggy Marley is born this day… — 1968 – Ziggy Marley is born this day in rock history!
1968 – Jose Feliciano releases “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Fans booed Feliciano — 1968 – Jose Feliciano releases “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Fans booed Feliciano when he performed his meandering interpretation earlier during the 1968 World Series.
1967 – The Beatles attend a memorial service for manager Brian Epstein — 1967 – The Beatles attend a memorial service for manager Brian Epstein at the New London Synagogue.
1967 – Bob Dylan begins recording John Wesley Harding. — 1967 – Bob Dylan begins recording John Wesley Harding.
1965 – A Tribute to Dr. Strange — an evening of music, dance and light shows — 1965 – A Tribute to Dr. Strange — an evening of music, dance and light shows — is organized by the Family Dog, a pioneering group of hippie promoters. Performing [...]
1964 – “Dancing in the Streets” by Martha and the Vandellas goes to #2 — 1964 – “Dancing in the Streets” by Martha and the Vandellas goes to #2 on the charts. Later… Made popular again by Van Halen.
1963 – The Beatles have lunch with four Boyfriend magazine contest winners — 1963 – The Beatles have lunch with four Boyfriend magazine contest winners at the Old Vienna restaurant in London. Later in the day the group records The Beatles’ Christmas Record.
1963 – Beatles: Lunch with the winners (Karen, Anne, Vicky, Susan) of competition — 1963 – Beatles: Lunch with the winners (Karen, Anne, Vicky, Susan) of competition in the teen magazine ‘Boyfriend’ at the restaurant Old Vienna. Studio 2. 2.30-5.30pm, 7.00-10.00pm. Recording: ‘The Beatles’ Christmas [...]
1962 – The Beatles perform on TV for the first time today, on the British — 1962 – The Beatles perform on TV for the first time today, on the British program People and Places. First TV performance, on TV Granada’s ‘People and Places’. Cavern lunch session: the [...]
1962 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Monster Mash… — 1962 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Monster Mash,” Bobby Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers. The Halloween hit re-enters the Chart Toppers chart in 1970 and 1973, hitting No. 10 [...]
1961 – Runaround Sue (Dion) was a hit on this day in rock history! — 1961 – Runaround Sue (Dion) was a hit on this day in rock history! Dion Francis DiMucci (born July 18, 1939), better known as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter who blended [...]
1960 – Bad news in today’s edition of Billboard – Dion & the — 1960 – Bad news in today’s edition of Billboard – Dion & the Belmonts are splitting.
1960 – Ike and Tina Turner hit #27 on pop and #3 on R&B with the Sue — 1960 – Ike and Tina Turner hit #27 on pop and #3 on R&B with the Sue records single “A Fool In Love”.
1952 – Cordell “Boogie” Mosson Jr. is born this day in rock history! — 1952 – Cordell “Boogie” Mosson Jr. is born this day in rock history!
1952 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Went to Yo… — 1952 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Went to Your Wedding,” Patti Page.
1946 – Jim Tucker, original guitarist with the Turtles, is born — 1946 – Jim Tucker, original guitarist with the Turtles, is born in Los Angeles. There was a Jim Tucker who was a member of The Turtles, and also Jim Tucker who [...]
1942 – Gary Puckett, whose powerful voice scored hits like “Young Girl” with — 1942 – Gary Puckett, whose powerful voice scored hits like “Young Girl” with the Union Gap, is born in Hibbing, Minn.
1941 – Jim Seals of Seals & Crofts is born in Sidn… — 1941 – Jim Seals of Seals & Crofts is born in Sidney, Texas.
1914 – Recording expert and entrepreneur John Mosl… — 1914 – Recording expert and entrepreneur John Mosley is born.