On This Day in Rock History
2006 – Incubus top the U.S. album charts for the first time with Light Grenades. — 2006 – Incubus top the U.S. album charts for the first time with Light Grenades. The second highest new entry was rap group’s Clipse’s Hell hath No Fury, in with [...]
2005 – Rapper 50 Cent and veteran modern rock act … — 2005 – Rapper 50 Cent and veteran modern rock act Green Day are the toast of Las Vegas, as each nab six trophies at the 2005 Chart Toppers Music Awards. [...]
2005 – Hawaiian one-hit wonder – we mean, “superstar” – Don Ho has stem cells — 2005 – Hawaiian one-hit wonder – we mean, “superstar” – Don Ho has stem cells injected into his heart in an operation to help strengthen his ailing organ. Which has [...]
2005 – It’s like Love Story but with chainsaws. Eminem tells Detroit radio — 2005 – It’s like Love Story but with chainsaws. Eminem tells Detroit radio station WKQI-FM that he has reunited with estranged ex-wife Kim Mathers and that they plans to remarry.
2004 – Dick Clark suffers from a stroke. A spokesm… — 2004 – Dick Clark suffers from a stroke. A spokesman for Clark tells Chart Toppers.com that the legendary television personality “is going to be fine.” Clark turned 75 the previous [...]
2004 – It’s all about the Bushes as P. Diddy gets a tour of the White House from — 2004 – It’s all about the Bushes as P. Diddy gets a tour of the White House from the president and the First Lady. A master of understatement, Diddy tells [...]
2004 – One of the worst kept secrets in rock becomes a secret no longer — 2004 – One of the worst kept secrets in rock becomes a secret no longer when Motley Crue announce they are reforming for their first tour in five years.
2003 – David Bowie postpones the Atlantic City, N…. — 2003 – David Bowie postpones the Atlantic City, N.J start of the North American leg of his A Reality tour after contracting the flu.
2003 – Elvis Costello marries jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall at Elton John’s — 2003 – Elvis Costello marries jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall at Elton John’s castle outside London. Sometime Costello collaborator Paul McCartney is in attendance.
2003 – Funk godfather George Clinton is arrested in Tallahassee, Florida and — 2003 – Funk godfather George Clinton is arrested in Tallahassee, Florida and charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
2003 – R&B star Peabo Bryson sells his two Grammy award for “Beauty and the Beast — 2003 – R&B star Peabo Bryson sells his two Grammy award for “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World” in an auction to pay off a $1.2 million [...]
2003 – The Strokes wind-up their U.K. tour at London’s Alexandra Palace, covering — 2003 – The Strokes wind-up their U.K. tour at London’s Alexandra Palace, covering The Clash’s ‘Clampdown.’ In attendance are members of Oasis and Coldplay, The Libertines, Bernard Butler, and The [...]
1999 – It is announced that Gabriel Gomez has been… — 1999 – It is announced that Gabriel Gomez has been charged with the kidnapping and murder of his half-sister Sandra Rosas, wife of Los Lobos singer/guitarist Cesar Rosas. She disappears [...]
1999 – Cypress Hill begins a download promotion in… — 1999 – Cypress Hill begins a download promotion in support of its forthcoming Spanishlanguage set, “Los Grandes Exitos En Espanol.” Visitors to Spanish-language portal www.yupi.com are able to sneak a [...]
1999 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces it will induct Eric Clapton — 1999 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces it will induct Eric Clapton, Lovin’ Spoonful, the Moonglows, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, and Earth, Wind & Fire next year.
1995 – R&B trio TLC captures artist of the year ho… — 1995 – R&B trio TLC captures artist of the year honors and “Cracked Rear View” by Hootie & the Blowfish is named album of the year at the 1995 Chart [...]
1995 – Michael Jackson is hospitalized after colla… — 1995 – Michael Jackson is hospitalized after collapsing in a New York theater during rehearsals for a TV special. He is unable to attend that evening’s Chart Toppers Music Awards [...]
1995 – Joni Mitchell is honored with Chart Toppers… — 1995 – Joni Mitchell is honored with Chart Toppers’s Century Award.
1994 – Pearl Jam release their third album, the stripped-down and punky Vitalogy — 1994 – Pearl Jam release their third album, the stripped-down and punky Vitalogy. It peaks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
1988 – Roy Orbison dies of a heart attack while on… — 1988 – Roy Orbison dies of a heart attack while on a visit to his mother near Nashville, Tenn. He is 52. His biggest hit is the million-selling No. 1 [...]
1986 – Ringo Starr agrees to become a spokesman for a wine cooler company — 1986 – Ringo Starr agrees to become a spokesman for a wine cooler company, becoming the first Beatle to get into advertising.
1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Say, Say, Sa… — 1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Say, Say, Say,” Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson.
1981 – Michael Dempsy, the manager of new wave group the Advert — 1981 – Michael Dempsy, the manager of new wave group the Adverts falls off a chair while changing a light bulb. He’s found the next day, but dies in the [...]
1980 – In the studio, John Lennon mixes “Walking on Thin Ice.” He’s also interviewed — 1980 – In the studio, John Lennon mixes “Walking on Thin Ice.” He’s also interviewed by British DJ Andy Peebles. Mark David Chapman arrives in New York after flying there [...]
1978 – Out on bail after a prison stint on Riker’s Island, Sid Vicious decides — 1978 – Out on bail after a prison stint on Riker’s Island, Sid Vicious decides to spend the evening at New York’s Hurrah club. There he gets into a fight [...]
1970 – The Rolling Stones’ concert film “Gimme Sh… — 1970 – The Rolling Stones’ concert film “Gimme Shelter” premieres.
1969 – The Rolling Stones’ hold an ill-fated conce… — 1969 – The Rolling Stones’ hold an ill-fated concert at California’s Altamont Speedway, where a fan is stabbed to Death near the stage.
1969 – In Britain, the double-A-sided “Something”/”Come Together” becomes — 1969 – In Britain, the double-A-sided “Something”/”Come Together” becomes the first Beatles single since “Love Me Do” not to peak at either No. 1 or No. 2. Instead, the band [...]
1969 – Ringo Starr appears on The David Frost Show on this — 1969 – Ringo Starr appears on The David Frost Show on this day in rock history!
1968 – Apple Records releases James Taylor’s self-titled debut. Rolling Stone’s — 1968 – Apple Records releases James Taylor’s self-titled debut. Rolling Stone‘s critic-in-chief Jon Landau declares, “This album is the coolest breath of fresh air I’ve inhaled in a good long [...]
1968 – President-elect Richard Nixon sends out 66,000 letters to — 1968 – President-elect Richard Nixon sends out 66,000 letters to supporters who could hold office in his administration, including one to Elvis Presley.
1967 – The Beatles open their Apple Boutique on London’s Baker Street on — 1967 – The Beatles open their Apple Boutique on London’s Baker Street on this day in rock history!
1966 – The Beatles perform two takes of “When I’m 64,” marking the — 1966 – The Beatles perform two takes of “When I’m 64,” marking the first Abbey Road session for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
1965 – The Rolling Stones go into RCA’s Hollywood Studios to record — 1965 – The Rolling Stones go into RCA’s Hollywood Studios to record “Mother’s Little Helper” and “19th Nervous Breakdown.”
1964 – In the NME year-end poll, the Rolling Stones are voted No. 1 U.K. — 1964 – In the NME year-end poll, the Rolling Stones are voted No. 1 U.K. R&B Group and Best New Group. Mick Jagger is named Best New Disc or TV [...]
1963 – The Beatles’ first Christmas record is delivered to their Artist Pages on — 1963 – The Beatles’ first Christmas record is delivered to their Artist Pages on this day in rock history!
1962 – Ben Watt, a member of folk-poppers Everything but the Girl and — 1962 – Ben Watt, a member of folk-poppers Everything but the Girl and the world’s most unlikely club DJ, is born.
1956 – Randy Rhoads, a guitar god of a different stripe with Ozzy Osbourne’s — 1956 – Randy Rhoads, a guitar god of a different stripe with Ozzy Osbourne’s band, is born in Santa Monica, Calif. Randall William “Randy” Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, [...]
1956 – Guitarist Peter Buck of R.E.M is born. The … — 1956 – Guitarist Peter Buck of R.E.M is born. The group’s biggest hit is “Losing My Religion” in 1991.
1955 – The Jam drummer Rick Buckler is born on this day — 1955 – The Jam drummer Rick Buckler is born on this day in rock history!
1954 – Singer/songwriter Chris Stamey, who made his biggest impact — 1954 – Singer/songwriter Chris Stamey, who made his biggest impact as a member of the Sneakers and the dB’s, is born in Chapel Hill, N.C.
1954 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Mr. Sandman,… — 1954 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Mr. Sandman,” The Chordettes.
1949 – Legendary folk/blues balladeer Leadbelly dies in New York from — 1949 – Legendary folk/blues balladeer Leadbelly dies in New York from Huntington’s disease. He was 61. Two years later, the Weavers’ successful cover of his song “Goodnight Irene” would help [...]
1947 – Guitarist Kim Simmonds, who rode the British blues boom wit — 1947 – Guitarist Kim Simmonds, who rode the British blues boom with his group Savoy Brown, is born in Newbridge, Wales.
1946 – Frankie Beverly is born in Philadelphia with the first name — 1946 – Frankie Beverly is born in Philadelphia with the first name Howard. He adopted the name Frankie to show his appreciation of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers. Beverly later [...]
1944 – English pop impresario Jonathan King, who guided the careers — 1944 – English pop impresario Jonathan King, who guided the careers of Genesis and 10cc, is born in London.
1940 – Steve Alaimo, a minor New York rocker who found fame as host — 1940 – Steve Alaimo, a minor New York rocker who found fame as host of the ’60s music TV show Where the Action Is, is born in Rochester.
1920 – Famed jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, who became a household name — 1920 – Famed jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, who became a household name thanks to his instrumental hit “Take Five,” is born in Concord, Calif.
1920 – Jazz artist Dave Brubeck is born. … — 1920 – Jazz artist Dave Brubeck is born.