On This Day in Rock History
2004 – French film score composer Michel Colombier… — 2004 – French film score composer Michel Colombier dies at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., following a six-month battle with cancer. He is 65.
2004 – Paul McCartney, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, Keane, Snow — 2004 – Paul McCartney, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, Keane, Snow Patrol, Travis, The Darkness and others take part in the recording of a new version of “Do They Know [...]
2003 – Jay-Z’s “The Black Album,” which he says is… — 2003 – Jay-Z’s “The Black Album,” which he says is his final bow, has a rare Friday release Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam.
2000 – As promised, the Offspring give away $1 mil… — 2000 – As promised, the Offspring give away $1 million of its own money to a lucky fan. Two finalists in the band’s online giveaway, where fans who downloaded the [...]
1999 – EMI Music Distribution begins offering reta… — 1999 – EMI Music Distribution begins offering retailers a $3 rebate on each unit sold of the latest Garth Brooks album “In… The Life Of Chris Gaines,” in order to [...]
1997 – Though it’s not a sell-out, the Bee Gees’ s… — 1997 – Though it’s not a sell-out, the Bee Gees’ show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas still manages to gross a stunning $1,681,100.
1995 – The Rolling Stones release their acoustic `… — 1995 – The Rolling Stones release their acoustic “Stripped” album.
1995 – Controversial rappers Tha Dogg Pound enter … — 1995 – Controversial rappers Tha Dogg Pound enter The Chart Toppers 200 chart at No. 1 with “Dogg Food.” Rappers rule the week’s Top 10 with Cypress Hill’s “Cypress Hill [...]
1992 – John Mellencamp keyboard player John Cascella is discovered dead — 1992 – John Mellencamp keyboard player John Cascella is discovered dead in his car in Indiana of a heart attack.
1990 – In today’s issue of Newsweek, the Who’s Pete Townshend says he’s bisexual — 1990 – In today’s issue of Newsweek, the Who’s Pete Townshend says he’s bisexual. “I know how it feels to be a woman because I am a woman,” he says. [...]
1982 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Up Where We … — 1982 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Up Where We Belong,” Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes. The single wins an Oscar as the theme of “An Officer and a [...]
1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Can See Cl… — 1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Can See Clearly Now,” Johnny Nash.
1969 – Led Zeppelin begin recording their third album at Olympia Studios — 1969 – Led Zeppelin begin recording their third album at Olympia Studios, kicking off with a run-through of “Since I’ve Been Loving You.” Robert Plant says, “If bootleg record-makers got [...]
1967 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s art exhibition Half-A-Wind Show closes — 1967 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s art exhibition Half-A-Wind Show closes at London’s Lisson Gallery.
1967 – Pink Floyd begin a U.K. tour supporting the Jimi Hendrix Experience. — 1967 – Pink Floyd begin a U.K. tour supporting the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
1964 – Jimmy Reed plays in Britain backed by Them, an Irish band including — 1964 – Jimmy Reed plays in Britain backed by Them, an Irish band including a young Van Morrison. According to a report of tonight’s concert in Bromley, “The audience waited [...]
1964 – Dusty Springfield kicks off her own U.K. tour but reveals, “I wish — 1964 – Dusty Springfield kicks off her own U.K. tour but reveals, “I wish I’d been born colored. When it comes to singing and feeling, I want to be one [...]
1961 – The Elvis Presley film “Blue Hawaii” prem… — 1961 – The Elvis Presley film “Blue Hawaii” premieres.
1960 – According to today’s Billboard, Elvis Presley’s “It’s Now or Never” is the — 1960 – According to today’s Billboard, Elvis Presley’s “It’s Now or Never” is the fastest-selling single in U.K. history. The disc sells 780,000 copies in the space of a week.
1957 – At the Biggest Show of Stars concert in Boston, five audience — 1957 – At the Biggest Show of Stars concert in Boston, five audience members are arrested during Fats Domino’s performance.
1956 – Former Bon Jovi bassist Alec John Such is born. — 1956 – Former Bon Jovi bassist Alec John Such is born.
1954 – Defunkt bassist Kim Clarke is born in Jamaica, N.Y. — 1954 – Defunkt bassist Kim Clarke is born in Jamaica, N.Y.
1954 – Greek new age god Yanni is born in Kalamata. — 1954 – Greek new age god Yanni is born in Kalamata.
1953 – Burly Alexander O’Neal, one of the finest soulmen to come from — 1953 – Burly Alexander O’Neal, one of the finest soulmen to come from Minneapolis, is born today. His hits include the prime “Criticize” and “Fake.” O’Neal also co-produced Janet Jackson’s [...]
1952 – The first British charts are published in the New Musical Express. — 1952 – The first British charts are published in the New Musical Express. No. 1 today is Al Martino’s “Here in My Heart.”
1951 – Barry Brandt, drummer with hard-rock band Angel, is born. — 1951 – Barry Brandt, drummer with hard-rock band Angel, is born.
1951 – Stephen Bishop, a songwriter discovered by Art Garfunkel — 1951 – Stephen Bishop, a songwriter discovered by Art Garfunkel, is born in San Diego. As well as scoring the No. 11 hit “On and On,” he was the guy [...]
1949 – Styx guitarist James Young is born in Chicago on this awesome — 1949 – Styx guitarist James Young is born in Chicago on this awesome day in rock history!
1947 – Cajun legend Buckwheat Zydeco is born in Lafayette, La. — 1947 – Cajun legend Buckwheat Zydeco is born in Lafayette, La. Real name Stanley Dural.
1944 – Second generation Supreme Scherrie Payne is born in Detroit — 1944 – Second generation Supreme Scherrie Payne is born in Detroit. Her younger sister is soul singer Freda Payne (“Band of Gold”).
1940 – Freddie Garrity of Freddie & the Dreamers i… — 1940 – Freddie Garrity of Freddie & the Dreamers is born in Manchester, England.
1938 – Cornelius Gunter, a vocalist with the doo-wop group the Coasters — 1938 – Cornelius Gunter, a vocalist with the doo-wop group the Coasters, is born in Los Angeles.