On This Day in Rock History
2006 – The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards says he’s finally given up drugs — 2006 – The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards says he’s finally given up drugs … because they’re not strong enough. “I think the quality’s gone down,” whines the irresponsible fossil. Go [...]
2006 – The Rolling Stones kick off their umpteenth U.S. tour in Boston — 2006 – The Rolling Stones kick off their umpteenth U.S. tour in Boston. It’s their first American appearance since Keith Richards fell out of a palm tree in Fiji and [...]
2006 – Justin Timberlake tops the American album charts, selling 684,000 — 2006 – Justin Timberlake tops the American album charts, selling 684,000 copies of his second album FutureSex/LoveSounds.
2006 – Beyonce Knowles takes home three awards at … — 2006 – Beyonce Knowles takes home three awards at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards in London, but is booed by the audience when she fails to turn up [...]
2005 – “New Sensation” hit-makers INXS select J.D. Fortune (surely — 2005 – “New Sensation” hit-makers INXS select J.D. Fortune (surely not his real name) to be their front man in the final episode of the reality series Rock Star: INXS.
2003 – A mysterious fire burns down a motel on ’50s rocker Chuck — 2003 – A mysterious fire burns down a motel on ’50s rocker Chuck Berry’s estate in Wentzville, Mo. No one is injured.
2003 – Rocker Melissa Etheridge exchanges vows with her partner — 2003 – Rocker Melissa Etheridge exchanges vows with her partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, in California, in spite of a law preventing homosexuals from marrying in the state.
2001 – Jennifer Lopez performs her first ever full… — 2001 – Jennifer Lopez performs her first ever full show at the 10,000-seat Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2000 – Traditional country music singer and yodele… — 2000 – Traditional country music singer and yodeler Don Walser receives the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Award during ceremonies at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, [...]
1999 – Mariah Carey opens trading on the New York Stock Exchange — 1999 – Mariah Carey opens trading on the New York Stock Exchange this morning by ringing the bell. Ring a ding ding! woo hoo!
1997 – Music Festival of India, a touring gala cel… — 1997 – Music Festival of India, a touring gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of India’s independence gets under way at Cleveland’s Masonic Temple.
1995 – Ex-10,000 Maniacs frontwoman Natalie Mercha… — 1995 – Ex-10,000 Maniacs frontwoman Natalie Merchant kicks off her first solo tour in New Orleans with her first solo album “Tigerlily” at No. 15 on The Chart Toppers 200.
1991 – Nirvana kicks off a six-week U.S. tour. … — 1991 – Nirvana kicks off a six-week U.S. tour.
1983 – Former Blind Faith members Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton — 1983 – Former Blind Faith members Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton are among the performers at the ARMS benefit concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The concert raises money for [...]
1977 – Japanese pop performer Namie Amuro is born in Okinawa — 1977 – Japanese pop performer Namie Amuro is born in Okinawa. She names her albums according to how old she is, including the recordings Sweet 19 Blues and Concentration 20.
1976 – The Captain & Tennille’s primetime music va… — 1976 – The Captain & Tennille’s primetime music variety show premieres on ABC-TV.
1975 – Currently No. 1 on the singles chart is David Bowie with “Fame — 1975 – Currently No. 1 on the singles chart is David Bowie with “Fame.” this day in rock!
1975 – The Bay City Rollers give their U.S. debut … — 1975 – The Bay City Rollers give their U.S. debut performance on Howard Cosell’s “Saturday Night Variety Show” on ABC-TV.
1973 – Los Angeles’ Roxy club opens with a show by Neil Young — 1973 – Los Angeles’ Roxy club opens with a show by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.
1973 – Jim Croce dies in a plane crash in Natchito… — 1973 – Jim Croce dies in a plane crash in Natchitoches, La. He’d just completed recording his third album, “I Got a Name,” a week before.
1972 – Police raid Paul and Linda McCartney’s farm, where — 1972 – Police raid Paul and Linda McCartney’s farm, where they uncover a crop of cannabis. Thought police alert…
1971 – Peter Frampton quits Humble Pie to start his solo career — 1971 – Peter Frampton quits Humble Pie to start his solo career. His debut album, Wind of Change, follows the next year.
1970 – Jim Morrison is found guilty in Miami of in… — 1970 – Jim Morrison is found guilty in Miami of indecent exposure and profanity stemming from a local performance by the Doors.
1969 – The Beatles’ publishing company, Northern Songs, is bought — 1969 – The Beatles’ publishing company, Northern Songs, is bought by Associated TV for 1 million pounds, while their new business affairs manager, Allen Klein, negotiates an increased royalty rate [...]
1969 – No. 1 on both the American and British albums charts today is Blind Faith — 1969 – No. 1 on both the American and British albums charts today is Blind Faith, the only album by the supergroup that features Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Ginger [...]
1968 – Ben Shepherd, bassist for Seattle grunge ou… — 1968 – Ben Shepherd, bassist for Seattle grunge outfit Soundgarden is born in Okinawa, Japan.
1967 – Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the identical tw… — 1967 – Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the identical twin sons of singer Ricky Nelson, are born. They form the rock group Nelson and hit No. 1 in 1990 with “(Can’t [...]
1966 – Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of Boston metal band Extreme is born — 1966 – Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of Boston metal band Extreme is born in Portugal this day in rock history! Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt (born September 20, 1966) is a Portuguese-American [...]
1966 – George Harrison journeys to India to meet with the Maharishi — 1966 – George Harrison journeys to India to meet with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for the first time.
1964 – The Beatles wrap up their American tour with a charity show in Brooklyn — 1964 – The Beatles wrap up their American tour with a charity show in Brooklyn, N.Y. Bob Dylan visits them backstage and later introduces the bandmates to pot.
1963 – The Rolling Stones’ second single, “Poison Ivy,” is withdrawn. — 1963 – The Rolling Stones’ second single, “Poison Ivy,” is withdrawn.
1947 – Styx drummer John Panozzo is born. … — 1947 – Styx drummer John Panozzo is born this day in rock history!
1930 – Eddie Bo, the pianist who recorded the minor 1969 R&B hit — 1930 – Eddie Bo, the pianist who recorded the minor 1969 R&B hit “Hook and Sling, Part 1,” is born in New Orleans. Eddie Bo (born Edwin Joseph Bocage, September 20, [...]