Rock History

On this day...

1942 – Paul McCartney is born in Liverpool, Englan… — 1942 – Paul McCartney is born in Liverpool, England. The Beatles have 20 No. 1 songs, more than any other recording act, and McCartney by himself or in duets has [...]

2006 – Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall leads al… — 2006 – Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall leads all winners, taking home three honors, at the 17th Annual MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto. The event features performances by Nelly Furtado featuring [...]

2004 – Ray Charles’ funeral is held at the First AME… — 2004 – Ray Charles’ funeral is held at the First AME Church in Los Angeles. Among the performers at the service are Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, and B.B. King. Also [...]

2003 – Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller became the first British music manager since The Beatles — 2003 – Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller became the first British music manager since The Beatles’ Brian Epstein to hold the top three positions in the US singles chart. Fuller, [...]

2002 – U2 lost a bid to prevent the demolition of Hanover Quay studio in Dublin. Over — 2002 – U2 lost a bid to prevent the demolition of Hanover Quay studio in Dublin. Over 8,000 fans signed an online petition to preserve the studio, where the group recorded [...]

2002 – Ozma keyboardist/flute player Star Wick is … — 2002 – Ozma keyboardist/flute player Star Wick is injured in a car accident in the midst of the Vans Warped Tour. Wick suffers whiplash and bruising in addition to a [...]

1998 – The Walt Disney Co. becomes an even bigger … — 1998 – The Walt Disney Co. becomes an even bigger player on the Internet with the purchase of a 43% stake in Web search engine company Infoseek Corp. Disney Plans [...]

1998 – Teen Idol, David Cassidy sells a two-CD set… — 1998 – Teen Idol, David Cassidy sells a two-CD set exclusively on cable TV shopping network QVC at 2 p.m. ET. The set, on Slamajama Records, includes his latest album, [...]

1998 – Heart featuring Ann Wilson embarks on a U.S… — 1998 – Heart featuring Ann Wilson embarks on a U.S. in Chicago. Other tour stops include Detroit and Los Angeles.

1997 – Country Music Association entertainers of t… — 1997 – Country Music Association entertainers of the year Brooks & Dunn play a special show for their fan club at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. In keeping with tradition, both Brooks [...]

1997 – during a North American tour U2 played the first of two nights at Oakland — 1997 – during a North American tour U2 played the first of two nights at Oakland Coliseum, San Francisco supported by Oasis.

1996 – Beck’s fourth full-length album, “Odelay,” … — 1996 – Beck’s fourth full-length album, “Odelay,” is released.

1994 – The Beastie Boys entered the US album chart at No.1 with ‘III Communication’. — 1994 – The Beastie Boys entered the US album chart at No.1 with ‘III Communication’.

1988 – George Michael appeared live at the Glasgow SEC on his “Faith” — 1988 – George Michael appeared live at the Glasgow SEC on his “Faith” tour. Tickets cost £11 ($19).

1987 – A concertgoer sues Motley Crue… — 1987 – A concertgoer sues Motley Crue, claiming that she went deaf because their PA was turned up too loud.

1984 – At New York’s Madison Square Garden, nutty Judas… — 1984 – At New York’s Madison Square Garden, nutty Judas Priest fans tear up hundreds of seats as their idol performs.

1980 – The Blues Brothers, starring Dan Aykroyd… — 1980 – The Blues Brothers, starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as the deadpan R&B team, premieres in New York.

1977 – Fleetwood Mac went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Dreams’, the groups — 1977 – Fleetwood Mac went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Dreams’, the groups first and only US No.1, it made No.24 in the UK.

1977 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers supported by The Boomtown Rats — 1977 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers supported by The Boomtown Rats appeared at Friars, Aylesbury, England.

1977 – Johnny Rotten and Paul Cook are stabbed… — 1977 – Johnny Rotten and Paul Cook are stabbed by a gang who, safe to say, are not Sex Pistols fans.

1977 – The No. 1 album in the U.K. is The Beatles… — 1977 – The No. 1 album in the U.K. is The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, a live album created by splicing together two performances at the venue from [...]

1977 – Boston earned their third top 40 single in the U.S… — 1977 – Boston earned their third top 40 single in the U.S. when “Peace of Mind” peaked at number 38 in 1977. The song was taken from their multi-platinum selling [...]

1976 – Abba stages a command performance for the k… — 1976 – Abba stages a command performance for the king of Sweden.

1975 – Elvis Presley had a face-lift at Mid South hospital, Memphis. — 1975 – Elvis Presley had a face-lift at Mid South hospital, Memphis.

1968 – London’s National Theatre premieres In His… — 1968 – London’s National Theatre premieres In His Own Write, an adaptation of the writings of John Lennon.

1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience makes its debut… — 1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience makes its debut performance at the Monterey (Calif.) Pop Festival. The Hendrix album “Electric Ladyland,” released in 1968, tops Chart Toppers’s pop album chart [...]

1967 – After an argument between Jimi Hendrix and… — 1967 – After an argument between Jimi Hendrix and the Who over who’s going to close the Monterey festival, Hendrix plays an incendiary set that sees him light his [...]

1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Can’t Help… — 1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Can’t Help Myself,” Four Tops.

1959 – R&B legend Fats Domino records “I Want to Walk… — Fats Domino 1959 – R&B legend Fats Domino records “I Want to Walk You Home” in New Orleans.