On This Day in Rock History
2020 – Lars Ulrich: Motorhead knew how to ‘unite’ people from different genres — 2020 – Lars Ulrich believes Motörhead was the first band to “really unite fans” from multiple different genres. The Metallica drummer has heaped praise on the English rock band – who [...]
2017 – Foo Fighters storming towards fourth UK Number 1 album with Concrete and Gold — 2017 – Foo Fighters’ new album Concrete and Gold is shining brightly at the top of today’s Official Albums Chart Update. The rock group’s ninth studio album has generated 43,000 combined [...]
2017 – Morrissey announces new single and album track listing — 2017 – Morrissey is proud to announce the first single to be taken from his first studio album in three years. Spent The Day In Bed sees Morrissey in fine [...]
2016 – Lady Gaga signs on for Super Bowl Halftime Show — 2016 – Lady Gaga will reportedly headline the 2017 Super Bowl Halftime Show. The Born This Way hitmaker was said to have entered talks with National Football League (NFL) bosses for [...]
2015 – The Who postpone US tour — 2015 – The Who have been forced to postpone the rest of their U.S. tour until the spring after Roger Daltrey was diagnosed with viral meningitis. 28 dates will have to [...]
2014 – Cher: A dance choreographer sued Cher for racial discrimination claiming the singer stopped him hiring any more black dancers — 2014 – Cher: A dance choreographer sued Cher for racial discrimination claiming the singer stopped him hiring any more black dancers. Kevin Wilson alleged Cher told him the tour had [...]
2010 – John Lennon’s son Julian told the press that he has ended his long-running feud with his half-brother Sean — 2010 – John Lennon’s son Julian told the press that he has ended his long-running feud with his half-brother Sean and his step-mother Yoko Ono, which started after the former [...]
2008 – Eddie Vedder: With the Chicago Cubs two wins (or Milwaukee Brewers losses) away from — 2008 – With the Chicago Cubs two wins (or Milwaukee Brewers losses) away from clinching a playoff spot, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder has penned a song in honor of the [...]
2008 – Lars fights for an Untarnished image granting an interview with Rolling Stone. — 2008 – Lars fights for an Untarnished image granting an interview with Rolling Stone. Rarely has there been a rock star as maligned for a single incident as Metallica drummer Lars [...]
2008 – Behold, the video for AC/DC’s “Rock N’ Roll Train.” It has all the ingredients — 2008 – Behold, the video for AC/DC’s “Rock N’ Roll Train.” It has all the ingredients of an AC/DC video: Angus Young in a schoolboy outfit, fire, sweat and Brian [...]
2006 – Scottish no-fi performer Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly has two guitars — 2006 – Scottish no-fi performer Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly has two guitars and a trumpet stolen after a gig in Wales. Someone please return this stuff before he decides [...]
2006 – Willie Nelson is charged with drugs possession after being — 2006 – Willie Nelson is charged with drugs possession after being pulled over in Louisiana for a routine check. Police allegedly find 0.7g of marijuana and 91 grams of magic [...]
2006 – Ian McCulloch is found guilty of breaching the peace in Glasgow — 2006 – Ian McCulloch is found guilty of breaching the peace in Glasgow, Scotland. The Echo& the Bunnymen singer began swearing and shoving two fans after he discovered them sharing [...]
2005 – Willie Hutch, who wrote Jackson 5 hits like “I’ll Be There — 2005 – Willie Hutch, who wrote Jackson 5 hits like “I’ll Be There,” and penned the soundtrack to blaxsploitation movie The Mack dies aged 59 in Dallas.
2005 – Lil’ Kim begins her jail sentence after being found guilty of — 2005 – Lil’ Kim begins her jail sentence after being found guilty of perjury. The pint-sized rapper is set to serve 366 days behind bars.
2004 – The estranged members of the Fugees reunite for a performance — 2004 – The estranged members of the Fugees reunite for a performance at Dave Chappelle’s block party in the Fort Green neighborhood of Brooklyn. Also performing are Kanye West, Erykah [...]
2004 – Madonna calls for world peace during an address to a conferenc — 2004 – Madonna calls for world peace during an address to a conference on Jewish mysticism in Tel Aviv, Israel.
2004 – Britpoppers Embrace enter the No. 1 spot in the UK album — 2004 – Britpoppers Embrace enter the No. 1 spot in the UK album charts with their comeback album Out of Nothing. Trance techno star Eric Pridz also debuts at No. [...]
2004 – – Skeeter Davis, a veteran of the Grand Ole… — 2004 – – Skeeter Davis, a veteran of the Grand Ole Opry, dies at Nashville’s St. Thomas Hospital. She is 73. The artist, born Mary Frances Penick in Dry Ridge, [...]
2003 – Jack Bruce, former bassist with Cream, undergoes a — 2003 – Jack Bruce, former bassist with Cream, undergoes a success liver transplant after being diagnosed with cancer.
2003 – Tenor saxophonist Frank Lowe dies in a New … — 2003 – Tenor saxophonist Frank Lowe dies in a New York hospital of lung cancer. He is
2003 – No one is injured when a chartered plane ca… — 2003 – No one is injured when a chartered plane carrying the Dixie Chicks clips a building at Glasgow Airport. The group is en route from Dublin for a concert [...]
2003 – Charges of child endangerment and trespassi… — 2003 – Charges of child endangerment and trespassing are dismissed against Phish bassist Mike Gordon, a spokesperson for the Nassau County (N.Y.) District Court says. Gordon was arrested Aug. 11 [...]
2003 – Australian country music icon Slim Dusty di… — 2003 – Australian country music icon Slim Dusty dies in Sydney at the age of 76, after a two-year battle with cancer. His signature tune, 1957’s “The Pub With No [...]
2003 – A week after his Deaths at the age of 71, c… — 2003 – A week after his Deaths at the age of 71, country legend Johnny Cash is bestowed with artist, song and album of the year awards at the Americana [...]
2000 – Wyclef Jean testifies in the court case between Lauryn Hill — 2000 – Wyclef Jean testifies in the court case between Lauryn Hill and four musicians who say they didn’t receive credit for their work on her album The Miseducation of [...]
2000 – Rick and Barbara Springfield release a statement following his — 2000 – Rick and Barbara Springfield release a statement following his arrest on charges of spousal assault saying they “will continue their relationship and raise their family.”
2000 – Kenny Chesney makes a hometown appearance i… — 2000 – Kenny Chesney makes a hometown appearance in Luttrel, Tenn. During an assembly held in his honor at Gibbs High Scholl, the country singer is greeted by local dignitaries [...]
1997 – For the first time ever, the VH1 music seri… — 1997 – For the first time ever, the VH1 music series, “Storytellers” is aired live. The show, featuring Elton John, is a special 90-minute edition and is broadcast from the [...]
1997 – Contemporary Christian artist Rich Mullins … — 1997 – Contemporary Christian artist Rich Mullins dies in a car accident in LaSalle County, Ill. He is 41. A 12-time Dove Award nominee with nine albums under his belt, [...]
1989 – Bob Dylan releases Oh Mercy, generally considered — 1989 – Bob Dylan releases Oh Mercy, generally considered to be his best album in ages.
1988 – The Erasure single “A Little Respect” is … — 1988 – The Erasure single “A Little Respect” is released.
1987 – Pink Floyd release A Momentary Lapse of Reason. The comeback — 1987 – Pink Floyd release A Momentary Lapse of Reason. The comeback album is the band’s first since the departure of Roger Waters and the subsequent lawsuit over the use [...]
1985 – Bob Dylan rehearses for the first Farm Aid at Los Angeles — 1985 – Bob Dylan rehearses for the first Farm Aid at Los Angeles’ Universal Studios.
1985 – A U.S. Senate committee hears testimony on … — 1985 – A U.S. Senate committee hears testimony on labeling and rating of rock music, initiated by the Parents Music Resource Center, an organization headed by Tipper Gore.
1981 – Simon & Garfunkel reunite for a concert in … — 1981 – Simon & Garfunkel reunite for a concert in New York’s Central Park.
1979 – Another Beatles reunion scare, as the New York Post — 1979 – Another Beatles reunion scare, as the New York Post announces, “The Beatles are back!” The premature announcement is based on rumors surrounding a benefit concert for Cambodian [...]
1979 – First of a five-night series of MUSE concerts (Musicians United fo — 1979 – First of a five-night series of MUSE concerts (Musicians United for Safe Energy) held at Madison Square Garden: Doobie Brothers, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen appear
1976 – Readers of The New York Times open their papers today — 1976 – Readers of The New York Times open their papers today to discover a full-page ad placed by promoter Sid Bernstein asking the Beatles to reunite. Bernstein had organized [...]
1974 – Max Weinberg plays with the E Street Band for the first — 1974 – Max Weinberg plays with the E Street Band for the first time at Philadelphia’s Main Point.
1973 – Byrds guitarist/vocalist Gram Parsons is fo… — 1973 – Byrds guitarist/vocalist Gram Parsons is found dead in a hotel room in Joshua Tree, Calif.
1970 – The Rolling Stones’ Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out, the live album — 1970 – The Rolling Stones’ Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out, the live album commemorating their riotous 1969 North American tour, goes to No. 1 in the U.K.
1970 – Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush album enters the charts. — 1970 – Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush album enters the charts.
1969 – Perhaps the best-looking person ever to pick up a saxophone — 1969 – Perhaps the best-looking person ever to pick up a saxophone, Candy Dulfer (“Lily Was Here”) is born in Amsterdam.
1968 – In the studio, recording starts on the Beatles song “Piggies,” a track — 1968 – In the studio, recording starts on the Beatles song “Piggies,” a track that would inspire Charles Manson.
1966 – John Lennon flies to Spain to shoot the Richard Lester — 1966 – John Lennon flies to Spain to shoot the Richard Lester film How I Won the War.
1964 – Marianne Faithfull goes to No. 9 in the U.K. with the Jagger/R — 1964 – Marianne Faithfull goes to No. 9 in the U.K. with the Jagger/Richards composition “As Tears Go By.”
1964 – John Lennon gives his permission for his drawing titled “The — 1964 – John Lennon gives his permission for his drawing titled “The Fat Budgie” to be printed up on Christmas cards.
1959 -Acid house DJ Marshall Jefferson, who’s been known — 1959 –Acid house DJ Marshall Jefferson, who’s been known to drop Led Zeppelin in the middle of a scorching set, is born in Chicago. Respect.
1958 – Bye bye, Elvis. The Memphis Flash leaves Brooklyn, N.Y.’s naval — 1958 – Bye bye, Elvis. The Memphis Flash leaves Brooklyn, N.Y.’s naval base as a young soldier to be stationed in Germany.
1958 – Rock siren Lita Ford (“Kiss Me Deadly”) is born in London this day — 1958 – Rock siren Lita Ford (“Kiss Me Deadly”) is born in London this day in rock! Just kiss me once…maybe twice…. ok… bring it on. Lita Ford (born September 23, 1958) [...]
1957 – Rusty Egan of Visage is born this day in rock history! — 1957 – Rusty Egan of Visage is born this day in rock history!
1956 – Singer and actor Rex Smith is born. … — 1956 – Singer and actor Rex Smith is born. Music career During the late 1970s, Smith was popular as a teen idol. Because of his good looks, he was featured regularly in [...]
1952 – Nile Rodgers of Chic is born in New York. … — 1952 – Nile Rodgers of Chic is born in New York.
1951 – Singer-producer Daniel Lanois is born. … — 1951 – Singer-producer Daniel Lanois is born.
1946 – Status Quo drummer John Coghlan is born in Dulwich — 1946 – Status Quo drummer John Coghlan is born in Dulwich, England this day in rock!
1945 – Soul singer Freda Payne is born in Detroit…. — 1945 – Soul singer Freda Payne is born in Detroit.
1945 – Folk musician David Bromberg is born in Phi… — 1945 – Folk musician David Bromberg is born in Philadelphia.
1941 – Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas is bor… — 1941 – Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas is born in Baltimore. Didn’t she play Witchiepoo on H.R. Puff and Stuff… while seeking the magic flute in the kid’ [...]
1940 – Singer-songwriter Paul Williams is born in … — 1940 – Singer-songwriter Paul Williams is born in Omaha, Neb.
1940 – Singer Bill Medley of pop duo the Righteous… — 1940 – Singer Bill Medley of pop duo the Righteous Brothers is born in Santa Anna, Calif. I believe Bill is on the right.
1934 – Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ future manager, is born in Liverpool, England. — 1934 – Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ future manager, is born in Liverpool, England. Brian Samuel Epstein (IPA: /?bra??n ?epsta?n/) (19 September 1934 – 27 August 1967) was the manager of The [...]
1936 – Brother Gene Dinwiddie, sax player with the Paul — 1936 – Brother Gene Dinwiddie, sax player with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, is born in Louisville, Ky.
1931 – Brook Benton (Ben Franklin Peay) is born in… — 1931 – Brook Benton (Ben Franklin Peay) is born in Camden, S.C.