Rock History

On this day...

2008 – Madonna topped the list for the richest female musician — Madonna 2008 – Madonna topped the list for the richest female musician, according to the Forbes.com. Its first-ever list focusing on women in the music industry estimated the 49-year-old banked $72m [...]

2005 – Cat Stevens visits the tsunami-stricken Aceh province… — 2005 – Cat Stevens – now known as Yusuf Islam – visits the tsunami-stricken Aceh province in Indonesia. The “Moonshadow” singer turned devout Muslim gives money to orphaned [...]

2005 – The Chemical Brothers went to No.1 on the UK album chart — 2005 – The Chemical Brothers went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Push The Button’, the duo’s fourth UK No.1 album. The Game had the US No.1 album [...]

2005 – The King defeats the Queen of Crunk, as Elvis Presley’s… — 2005 – The King defeats the Queen of Crunk, as Elvis Presley’s “It’s Now Or Never” knocks Ciara’s “Goodies” off the top of the U.K. singles chart. The [...]

2005 – A day before Michael Jackson’s trial… — 2005 – A day before Michael Jackson’s trial on molestation charges is due to start, the King of Pop addresses his fans via an online video message. He [...]

2005 – Scottish artist Martyn Bennett dies in Edin… — 2005 – Scottish artist Martyn Bennett dies in Edinburgh following a long battle with cancer. He is 33. A traditional bagpiper and fiddler, Bennett also experimented with electronic music, creating [...]

2004 – In the U.K., Virgin Megastores report Sex Pistols top… — 2004 – In the U.K., Virgin Megastores report that John Lydon’s role on the TV game show I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here has bumped [...]

2002 – 64-year-old two-time Grammy Award winner Fr… — 2002 – 64-year-old two-time Grammy Award winner Freddy Fender (Baldemar Huerta) is released from a San Antonio hospital following kidney transplant surgery a week earlier.

2001 – Boy George reveals one of his greatest dreams … — 2001 – Boy George reveals one of his greatest dreams to the English Radio Times: “I’d like to do a make-up campaign like Max Factor.”

2001 – Andrew Skaggs, 21-year-old son of Ricky Ska… — 2001 – Andrew Skaggs, 21-year-old son of Ricky Skaggs, is admitted to a hospital in Lexington, Ky. He is diagnosed with, and treated for, pneumonia.

1999 – after spending 11 weeks on the chart Britney Spears — 1999 – after spending 11 weeks on the chart Britney Spears started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘…Baby One More Time.’ Britney’s debut [...]

1998 – Magistrates in Derby, England, issue a warr… — 1998 – Magistrates in Derby, England, issue a warrant for the arrest of U.K. R&B star Mark Morrison for his failure to appear in court on charges of affray and [...]

1998 – Elton John receives a knighthood in British… — 1998 – Elton John receives a knighthood in British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s first New Year’s Eve Honours List.

1996 – Legendary producer Bob Thiele dies… — 1996 – Legendary producer Bob Thiele, who helped discover artists like Buddy Holly and Jackie Wilson and produced albums by Charles Mingus and Quincy Jones, dies in New [...]

1995 – Led Zeppelin receives the International Art… — 1995 – Led Zeppelin receives the International Artists Award at the American Music Awards. Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart are the only others to have previously received the honor.

1995 – Boyz II Men nail three awards at the 22nd a… — 1995 – Boyz II Men nail three awards at the 22nd annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Ace of Base, Michael Bolton and Reba McEntire each score two victories.

1992 – touring Australia and New Zealand for the first and only — Nirvana 1992 – touring Australia and New Zealand for the first and only time Nirvana appeared at the The Barton Theater in Adelaide.

1991 – Three members of the English group the Stone Roses… — 1991 – Three members of the English group the Stone Roses are arrested in Monmouth, Wales in connection with yesterday’s raid on the offices of their old record [...]

1990 – France awards Bob Dylan… — 1990 – France awards Bob Dylan with the title Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters.

1990 – unhappy with the re-issue of the bands early single ‘Sally — 1990 – unhappy with the re-issue of the bands early single ‘Sally Cinnaman’ The Stone Roses trashed their former record company Revolver FM’s offices and threw paint over cars. The [...]

1988 – Terence Trent D’arby went back to No.1 on the UK album — 1988 – Terence Trent D’arby went back to No.1 on the UK album chart for an 8 week run with Introducing ‘The Hardline To Terence Trent D’arby’.

1988 – during a court case involving Holly Johnson and ZTT — 1988 – during a court case involving Holly Johnson and ZTT Records it was revealed that Frankie Goes To Hollywood had not played on their hits ‘Relax’ and ‘Two Tribes’. [...]

1988 – INXS had their first US No.1 hit single with ‘Need — INXS 1988 – INXS had their first US No.1 hit single with ‘Need You Tonight’.

1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Want to Kn… — 1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Want to Know What Love Is,” Foreigner.

1982 – Bluesman Sam “Lightnin”’ Hopkins dies. Ag… — 1982 – Bluesman Sam “Lightnin”’ Hopkins dies. Age 69. The Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac and the Cowboy Junkies have covered his songs.

1980 – Longhair dies… — 1980 – The great New Orleans pianist Professor Longhair dies of a heart attack aged 61.

1974 – Bob Dylan makes his first New York concert … — 1974 – Bob Dylan makes his first New York concert performance in eight years, playing Madison Square Garden.

1973 – after recently changing their name from Wicked Lester — KISS 1973 – after recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss made their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in [...]

1973 – Kiss gives its debut performance at the Cov… — 1973 – Kiss gives its debut performance at the Coventry Club in Queens, N.Y.

1972 – Paul McCartney wrote and recorded his protest song ‘Give — Paul McCartney 1972 – Paul McCartney wrote and recorded his protest song ‘Give Ireland Back To The Irish’ within 24 hours of Bloody Sunday, when 13 Catholics were killed by British [...]

1969 – The Beatles, with Billy Preston on organ, p… — 1969 – The Beatles, with Billy Preston on organ, perform four songs on a London on Saville Road rooftop for the film “Let It Be.” Billy wrote and performed the Rhodes [...]

1967 – Jimi Hendrix Experience are filmed… — 1967 – Jimi Hendrix Experience are filmed at London’s Saville Theatre to promote their next single.

1967 – In Kent, England, the Beatles… — 1967 – In Kent, England, the Beatles shoot a promotional clip for “Strawberry Fields Forever.” STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER (Lennon/McCartney) JOHN 1968: “Strawberry Fields was a place near us that happened to be [...]

1964 – Born on this day, Angie Stone, singer, songwriter, Vertical — 1964 – Born on this day, Angie Stone, singer, songwriter, Vertical Hold, solo. Written hits for Mary J. Blige & D’Angelo.

1961 – Songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller… — 1961 – Songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who have penned hits like “Spanish Harlem” for the Drifters, announce they are forming their own independent production company.

1961 – The Shirelles became the first girl group to have the number — 1961 – The Shirelles became the first girl group to have the number one song on the US chart when ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ reached the top. The song peaked at [...]

1961 – Born on this day, Jody Watley, vocals, Shalamar, (1980 US N — 1961 – Born on this day, Jody Watley, vocals, Shalamar, (1980 US No. 8 single ‘The Second Time Around’, 1982 UK No.5 single ‘A Night To Remember’). Solo (1987 UK [...]

1959 – The American Music Club’s songwriter Mark Eitzel… — 1959 – The American Music Club’s songwriter Mark Eitzel is born in Walnut Creek, Calif.

1959 -Elvis Presley had his third UK No.1 single ‘One — Elvis Presley 1959  -Elvis Presley had his third UK No.1 single ‘One Night / I Got Stung’ a double A side.

1956 – Elvis Presley records ‘Blue Suede Shoes’… — 1956 – At the RCA studios in New York, Elvis Presley makes his own recording of Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes.” The top 20 success of the single [...]

1956 – At Memphis’ Sun Studios, Jerry Lee Lewis… — 1956 – At Memphis’ Sun Studios, Jerry Lee Lewis is lending his piano-pumping prowess to Billy Lee Riley’s recording of “Red Hot.”

1951 – Phil Collins is born in London. He will sta… — 1951 – Phil Collins is born in London. He will start his artistic career as a child actor, including a role as the Artful Dodger in an English production of [...]

1949 – Born on this day, William King, trumpet, The — 1949 – Born on this day, William King, trumpet, The Commodores, (1978 UK & US No.1 single ‘Three Times A Lady’).

1947 – Steve Marriott of Humble Pie is born… — 1947 – Steve Marriott, the cheeky singer with the Small Faces and Humble Pie, is born in Bow, England. Note: Peter Frampton played with Humble Pie.

1946 – Chicago soul singer Jackie Ross is born… — 1946 – Chicago soul singer Jackie Ross is born in St. Louis. She scored her biggest hit with 1964’s “Selfish One.”

1942 – Marty Balin is born in Cincinnati on this day in Rock… —   1942 – Marty Balin  is born in Cincinnati on this day in Rock.  Marty (born Martyn Jerel Buchwald, January 30, 1942) was a member of Jefferson Airplane/Starship. He formed the band during the [...]

1928 – Born on this day, Ruth Brown, US singer, (1957 US — 1928 – Born on this day, Ruth Brown, US singer, (1957 US No.25 single, ‘Lucky Lips’), Atlantic Records top selling artist of the 50’s.