Rock History

On this day...

2011 – An eight foot statue of Chuck Berry will soon be a permanent fixture on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – An eight foot statue of Chuck Berry will soon be a permanent fixture on This Day in Rock! The Statue will be in a public area that acts [...]

2007 – Lily Allen was questioned by police over an alleged assault on a pho — 2007 – Lily Allen was questioned by police over an alleged assault on a photographer outside a nightclub in London. She was freed on police bail after she was quizzed [...]

2006 – Johnny Jenkins, a guitarist who worked with… — 2006 – Johnny Jenkins, a guitarist who worked with Otis Redding in the early 1960s and influenced Jimi Hendrix through his acrobatic playing style, dies at a hospital in Macon, [...]

2004 – Courtney Love was reprimanded by Los Angeles Judge Melissa Jackson — 2004 – Courtney Love was reprimanded by Los Angeles Judge Melissa Jackson for turning up five hours late to a hearing. Love pleaded guilty to a single charge of disorderly [...]

2004 – With two awards apiece, Beyonce, OutKast an… — 2004 – With two awards apiece, Beyonce, OutKast and Usher headed the winners’ circle at the BET Awards. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Destiny’s Child singer Beyonce started a five week run at No.1 — 2003 – Destiny’s Child singer Beyonce started a five week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Dangerously In Love’, also a US No.1. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Robbie Williams played his first UK in two years when he appeared — 2003 – Robbie Williams played his first UK in two years when he appeared in front of 62,000 fans at Murryayfield, Edinburgh. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Singer/actress Rosemary Clooney dies at her… — 2002 – Singer/actress Rosemary Clooney dies at her Beverly Hills, Calif., home. She is 74 Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Eminem’s mother went to court claiming defamation of character — 2000 – Eminem’s mother went to court claiming defamation of character in a $10 million (£5.8 million) civil suit, after taking exception to the line “My mother smokes more dope [...]

2000 – eight men were trampled to death during Pearl Jam’s performance — 2000 – eight men were trampled to death during Pearl Jam’s performance at The Roskilde festival, near Copenhagen. Police said the victims had all slipped or fallen in the mud [...]

2000 – Rolling Stone Ron Wood checks into a rehab center… — 2000 – Rolling Stone Ron Wood checks into a rehab center to treat alcohol addiction. It’s believed Wood is hoping to dry out in time for a Rolling Stones world [...]

2000 – Vandals pull Ronnie Van Zant’s casket out of the Lynyrd… — 2000 – Vandals pull Ronnie Van Zant’s casket out of the Lynyrd Skynyrd mausoleum, but are unable to open it. Steve Gaines’ ashes are also spilled during the rampage. Be Sociable, [...]

1999 – Michael Jackson suffered severe bruising after falling over 50 feet — 1999 – Michael Jackson suffered severe bruising after falling over 50 feet when a bridge collapsed during a concert at Munich’s Olympic stadium. Jacko was singing ‘Earth Song’ at the [...]

1999 – Everclear film the video to their cover of “The… — 1999 – Everclear film the video to their cover of “The Boys Are Back in Town.” The song is from the Detroit Rock City soundtrack, so of course Kiss’ Gene [...]

1999 – Madonna sues her accounting firm for breach of contract… — 1999 – Madonna sues her accounting firm for breach of contract and malpractice. Padell, Nadell, Fine, Weinberger & Co. declared she was a resident of California on her tax return, [...]

1999 – While performing in Mountain View, Calif., Jewel… — 1999 – While performing in Mountain View, Calif., Jewel forgets the words to “Little Sister,” so she reads them from a CD booklet held up by a fan. Aw. Duh, der, [...]

1998 – George Harrison announces that he’s been… — 1998 – George Harrison announces that he’s been having treatments for throat cancer, but says he’s hale, adding, “I’m not going to die on you folks just yet.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Record producer George Martin received a Knighthood, also — 1996 – Record producer George Martin received a Knighthood, also music promoter Harvey Goldsmith became an MBE and Van Morrison an OBE. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – Oasis made their debut on BBC TV’s ‘Top Of The Pops — 1994 – Oasis made their debut on BBC TV’s ‘Top Of The Pops’ performing their new single ‘Shakermaker’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – Aerosmith release their much-loved single “Cryin’.” — 1993 – Aerosmith release their much-loved single “Cryin’.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Skid Row entered the US album chart at No.1 with ‘Slave To The Grind’. — Skid Row 1991 – Skid Row entered the US album chart at No.1 with ‘Slave To The Grind’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Cher started a six-week run at No.1 on the UK album — 1991 – Cher started a six-week run at No.1 on the UK album charts with ‘Love Hurts’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Skid Row’s “Slave to the Grind” debuts at… — 1991 – Skid Row’s “Slave to the Grind” debuts at No. 1 on Chart Toppers’s pop album chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990, during a North American tour The Stone Roses appeared at the — 1990, during a North American tour The Stone Roses appeared at the Hollywood High School Gymnasium. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – Nirvana, Mudhoney and Tad all appeared at the Moore Theatre, Seattle. — 1988 – Nirvana, Mudhoney and Tad all appeared at the Moore Theatre, Seattle. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “There’ll Be … — 1986 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “There’ll Be Sad Songs (to Make You Cry),” Billy Ocean. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1985 – John Lennon’s 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine — 1985 – John Lennon’s 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine, with psychedelic paintwork, sold for a record sum of $3,006,385, (£1,768,462) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1985 – UK TV music show The Tube presented a six hour special featuring — 1985 – UK TV music show The Tube presented a six hour special featuring, Alison Moyet, Howard Jones, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Divine, Billy McKenzie and Nona Hendrix. 1985, UK TV [...]

1985 – Mick Jagger and David Bowie romp through their recording… — 1985 – Mick Jagger and David Bowie romp through their recording of “Dancing in the Street” in a mere 12 hours. The single later goes to No. 7 in the [...]

1984 – It’s reported that Motown has shipped 2 million copies… — 1984 – It’s reported that Motown has shipped 2 million copies of the Jacksons’ Victory album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – Bruce Springsteen begins his first American tour… — 1984 – Bruce Springsteen begins his first American tour in three years at St. Paul, Minn.’s Civic Center. There’s more good news when he learns his single “Dancing in the [...]

1979 – Guitarist and Little Feat founder Lowell Ge… — 1979 – Guitarist and Little Feat founder Lowell George is found dead of a heart attack in a hotel room in Arlington, Va., at age 34. Little Feat’s best selling [...]

1979 – Born on this day, Tim McCord, bass, Evanescence, (joined — 1979 – Born on this day, Tim McCord, bass, Evanescence, (joined in 2006), 2003 UK No.1 & US No.5 single ‘Bring Me To Life’, 2003 UK No.1 & US [...]

1978 – David Bowie played the first of three nights on his Low / Heroes world — 1978 – David Bowie played the first of three nights on his Low / Heroes world tour at Earl’s Court in London, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – Peter Frampton suffers a broken arm and cra… — 1978 – Peter Frampton suffers a broken arm and cracked ribs in an auto wreck in the Bahamas. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – during a North American tour Fleetwood Mac appeared at Madison — 1977 – during a North American tour Fleetwood Mac appeared at Madison Square Garden, New York City. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – The city of Memphis names Elvis Presley Blvd. after… — 1976 – The city of Memphis names Elvis Presley Blvd. after the man himself. Rockin’ Dude… Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Tim Buckley dies of a heart attack at the a… — 1975 – Tim Buckley dies of a heart attack at the age of 28. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – In Oakland, Calif., Elton John joins the Doobie Brothers on stage… — 1975 – In Oakland, Calif., Elton John joins the Doobie Brothers on stage to duet on “Listen to the Music.” Then when the Eagles try to play their set, John [...]

1974 – Singer songwriter Gordon Lightfoot scored his only US No.1 — 1974 – Singer songwriter Gordon Lightfoot scored his only US No.1 single with ‘Sundown’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sundown,” G… — 1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sundown,” Gordon Lightfoot. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – There’s a change in the lineup of future Canadian prog… — 1974 – There’s a change in the lineup of future Canadian prog superstars Rush as Neil Peart replaces John Rustey on the drum stool today. Neil is considered by some to [...]

1973 – Ian Gillan leaves Deep Purple after a show … — 1973 – Ian Gillan leaves Deep Purple after a show in Japan. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Led Zeppelin, The Liverpool Scene and Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig — 1969 – Led Zeppelin, The Liverpool Scene and Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig all played two shows (5.30 and 8.30pm) on this Sunday night at The Royal Albert Hall. Tickets from [...]

1969 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience play their last concert… — 1969 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience play their last concert together at the Denver Pop Festival in Mile High Stadium. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – a free concert was held in London’s Hyde Park with Pink Floyd — 1968 – a free concert was held in London’s Hyde Park with Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Tyrannosaurus Rex and Roy Harper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – Pink Floyd release A Saucerful of Secrets. The Floyd… — 1968 – Pink Floyd release A Saucerful of Secrets. The Floyd celebrate by performing a free show in London’s Hyde Park with Jethro Tull, Roy Harper, and T. Rex. Be Sociable, [...]

1967 – Two days after Mick Jagger is found guilty of drug possession — 1967 – Two days after Mick Jagger is found guilty of drug possession and jailed, Keith Richards goes on trial for similar charges stemming from a February raid on his [...]

1966 – Some 500 police are needed to contain the crowd when… — 1966 – Some 500 police are needed to contain the crowd when the Beatles play Tokyo. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – touring Australia The Beatles played two shows at the Festival Hall — 1964 – touring Australia The Beatles played two shows at the Festival Hall, Brisbane. Over 8,000 fans had waited until after midnight to greet the group as they landed at [...]

1961 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Quarter to T… — 1961 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Quarter to Three,” Gary U.S. Bonds. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1960 – Evelyn “Champagne” King is born in the Br… — 1960 – Evelyn “Champagne” King is born in the Bronx, N.Y. She is discovered at Sigma Studios, where she is a cleaning woman. Her biggest hit is the million-selling top [...]

1959 – Ageless promoter Dick Clark forms a new partnership… — 1959 – Ageless promoter Dick Clark forms a new partnership with aging promoter Irvin Feld. The two announce four rock ‘n’ roll package tours over the next year, all called [...]

1957 – Buddy Holly records “Peggy Sue.” this day in rock history! — 1957 – Buddy Holly records “Peggy Sue.” this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – In a step back for rock, Elvis Presley appears… — 1956 – In a step back for rock, Elvis Presley appears on Steve Allen’s TV show to sing “Hound Dog” to an actual basset hound. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – The great Johnnie Ray records his future No. 2… — 1956 – The great Johnnie Ray records his future No. 2 “Just Walking in the Rain.” this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1953 – The Drifters record “Lucille.” this day in rock history! — 1953 – The Drifters record “Lucille.” this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1953 – Singer Colin Hay of Men at Work is born this day in rock history! — 1953 – Singer Colin Hay of Men at Work is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1953 – Don Dokken is born this day in rock history! — 1953 – Don Dokken is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1948 – Drummer Ian Paice of Deep Purple is born… — 1948 – Drummer Ian Paice of Deep Purple is born in Nottingham, England. Ian Anderson Paice (born June 29, 1948 in Nottingham, England) made his name as the drummer with seminal [...]

1945 – Singer Little Eva (Eva Narcissus Boyd) is b… — 1945 – Singer Little Eva (Eva Narcissus Boyd) is born in Belhaven, N.C. She is discovered by songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin while baby-sitting their daughter. Her biggest hit [...]

1938 – Billy Storm of the Alley Cats is born in Dayton, Ohio… — 1938 – Billy Storm of the Alley Cats is born in Dayton, Ohio this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]