Rock History

On this day...

2011 – KISS army Gasp!… KISS rocker Gene Simmons tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Shannon Tweed on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – KISS army Gasp!… KISS rocker Gene Simmons tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Shannon Tweed on This Day in Rock! Saturday evening in Beverly Hills, Us Weekly [...]

2011 – Todd Rundgren performs at Manchester HMV Ritz on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Todd Rundgren performs at  Manchester HMV Ritz on This Day in Rock! Todd Rundgren, rock and roll icon, guitarist, interactive progenitor, singer-songwriter and record producer, plays the Manchester HMV Ritz [...]

2008 – Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues(Nights in white Satin, Story in her eyes — 2008 – Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues(Nights in white Satin, Story in her eyes), Turns on the website ‘songwars.net’ on this day in rock history! The goal of the [...]

2008 – Alice Cooper was the featured musical performer on CBS-TV’s “Late Late — 2008 – Alice Cooper was the featured musical performer on CBS-TV’s “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” this past Monday, September 29. Watch his performance of the track “Vengeance is [...]

2008 – 125th Audio Engineering Society Conference kicks off from Oct. 1-5. — 2008 – 125th Audio Engineering Society Conference kicks off from Oct. 1-5. For over 60 years, the AES has been the largest gathering of audio professionals and enthusiasts on the globe, [...]

2006 – “Careless Whisper” singer George Michael is arrested and charged with drugs — 2006 – “Careless Whisper” singer George Michael is arrested and charged with drugs possession after he is found slumped over the steering wheel of his car in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Bruce Palmer, former bassist with West Coast folk rock legends Buffalo Springfield — 2004 – Bruce Palmer, former bassist with West Coast folk rock legends Buffalo Springfield (“For What It’s Worth”), dies of a heart attack. He was 58. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – U.K. R&B star Ms. Dynamite is arrested and bailed after turning — 2004 – U.K. R&B star Ms. Dynamite is arrested and bailed after turning herself in to London police. She was wanted in connection with an alleged assault in a London [...]

2004 – Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., John Fogerty and Bright Eyes kick off the Vote fo — 2004 – Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., John Fogerty and Bright Eyes kick off the Vote for Change tour in Philadelphia. As part of the musical assault on swing states, Dave Matthews [...]

2003 – New York police refuse to give Bruce Springsteen an escort from his Shea — 2003 – New York police refuse to give Bruce Springsteen an escort from his Shea Stadium gig after the Boss performs “American Skin (41 Shots),” about the shooting of Amadou [...]

2003 – OutKast top the album charts with their double solo release Speakerboxxx — 2003 – OutKast top the album charts with their double solo release Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Dave Matthews’ solo debut bows at No. 2, while Limp Bizkit’s Results May Vary enters [...]

2003 – R&B singer Eric Benet and his wife, actress Halle Berry, announce — 2003 – R&B singer Eric Benet and his wife, actress Halle Berry, announce they are separating. Is he crazy? Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – The White Stripes play a free show in New Y… — 2002 – The White Stripes play a free show in New York’s Union Square Park, treating a large lunchtime crowd to asset full of covers and nuggets from the group’s [...]

2000 – In Sydney, Men at Work and INXS perform at the Olympic closing ceremonie — 2000 – In Sydney, Men at Work and INXS perform at the Olympic closing ceremonies. The show also sees the return to the stage of John Paul Young, singer of [...]

1996 – The Nirvana live album, “From the Muddy Ban… — 1996 – The Nirvana live album, “From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah,” is released, featuring performances recorded between 1989 to 1994. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young,… — 1995 – Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Hootie & The Blowfish and the Dave Matthews Band raise close to $1 million at the Farm Aid concert in Louisville, Ky. Be [...]

1994 – The London Daily Mirror prints a color photo of Michael Jackson — 1994 – The London Daily Mirror prints a color photo of Michael Jackson in a scoutmaster’s uniform along with five young Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts of American later say [...]

1991 – A white crystal-beaded glove worn by entert… — 1991 – A white crystal-beaded glove worn by entertainer Michael Jackson is stolen from the Motown Museum in Detroit. Rapper M.C. Hammer offers a $50,000 reward for the return of [...]

1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Don’t Worry … — 1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” Bobby McFerrin. The single wins Grammy Awards as song of the year and record of the year. Be Sociable, [...]

1988 – Bon Jovi: ‘New Jersey’ UK LP is no. 1 this day in rock history — 1988 – Bon Jovi: ‘New Jersey’ UK LP is no. 1 this day in rock history! Rock on. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – Robert Plant wraps up his first North American tour — 1983 – Robert Plant wraps up his first North American tour at Vancouver’s PNE Coliseum. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – Sweden issues the first stamp honoring Abba this day — 1983 – Sweden issues the first stamp honoring Abba this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – By reaching No. 7 in US with ‘Metal Health’, Quiet Riot achieve — 1983 -  By reaching No. 7 in US with ‘Metal [...]

1979 – Wonder why Elton John was inducted into the Madison Square Garden — 1979 – Wonder why Elton John was inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame? Maybe it’s because he can do things like play eight sold-out nights in a [...]

1977 – Drummer Rat Scabies quits punk pioneers the Damned this day — 1977 – Drummer Rat Scabies quits punk pioneers the Damned this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – The Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame inducts its first — 1977 – The Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame inducts its first rocker, Elton John. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Singer Mary Ford dies. She had several mill… — 1977 – Singer Mary Ford dies. She had several million-selling hits with husband Les Paul. Their biggest hit, “Vaya Con Dios,” topped the pop charts for 11 weeks. Their song [...]

1975 – Drummer Al Jackson is shot to death in his Memphis home after surprising — 1975 – Drummer Al Jackson is shot to death in his Memphis home after surprising a burglar. The Booker T. & the MG’s member was 39. His wife is questioned [...]

1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit; “I Honestly L… — 1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit; “I Honestly Love You,” Olivia Newton-John. The single is Newton-John’s first No. 1 hit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Riding high on the success of Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd — 1973 – Riding high on the success of Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd begin sessions for their new album, declaring they intend to use only household objects to [...]

1972 – While touring in Hawaii with the Mark-Almond band, guitarist Jon Mar — 1972 – While touring in Hawaii with the Mark-Almond band, guitarist Jon Mark loses something that’s very important to him. A finger on his left hand. He had caught his [...]

1971 – Gene Vincent cuts a session for British radio in London. It will b — 1971 – Gene Vincent cuts a session for British radio in London. It will be the last time Gene is in a studio. The “Be-Bop-A-Lula” singer would die on October [...]

1970 – In Milan, 2,000 fans riot when they’re denied entry — 1970 – In Milan, 2,000 fans riot when they’re denied entry to a Rolling Stones concert. Thats ’cause Mick and Keith are so kewl. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Curtis Mayfield leaves the Impressions. His biggest hit as a — 1970 – Curtis Mayfield leaves the Impressions. His biggest hit as a solo artist was 1972′s “Freddie’s Dead.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Funeral of Jimi Hendrix held in Seattle, Washington this day in — 1970 – Funeral of Jimi [...]

1967 – Traffic make their live debut at London’s Saville Theatre — 1967 – Traffic make their live debut at London’s Saville Theatre this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – The BBC’s new pop radio station, Radio 1, begins airing today. DJ — 1967 – The BBC’s new pop radio station, Radio 1, begins airing today. DJ Tony Blackburn christens the station by playing the Move’s “Flowers in the Rain.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Pink Floyd land in New York to begin their first American — 1967 – Pink Floyd land in New York to begin their first American tour this day n rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Hang on Sloo… — 1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Hang on Sloopy,” The McCoys. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – We all love Beatles albums. But how about a collection of Beatles songs — 1964 – We all love Beatles albums. But how about a collection of Beatles songs interspersed with the greatest hits of the Four Seasons? Well, Vee Jay Records thought it [...]

1963 – In today’s Glasgow Record and Mail is a letter from Brian Epstein, who — 1963 – In today’s Glasgow Record and Mail is a letter from Brian Epstein, who points out that Gerry & the Pacemakers’ first two hits – “How Do You Do [...]

1962 – The Beatles sign a revised contract with their manager, Brian Epstein. — 1962 – The Beatles sign a revised contract with their manager, Brian Epstein. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “It’s All in … — 1958 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “It’s All in the Game,” Tommy Edwards. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – After test audiences have a negative reaction to Elvis dying — 1956 – After test audiences have a negative reaction to Elvis dying at the end of the film Love Me Tender, The King is called back to re-shoot the scene. [...]

1956 – Bill Haley’s ‘Rock and Roll Stage Show’ LP released in UK this — 1956  – Bill Haley’s ‘Rock and Roll Stage Show’ [...]

1955 – Shalamar vocalist Howard Hewett is born in Akron, Ohio — 1955 – Shalamar vocalist Howard Hewett is born in Akron, Ohio this day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1948 – Cub Koda, who wrote the memorable anthem “Smokin’ — 1948 – Cub Koda, who wrote the memorable anthem “Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room” as part of Brownsville Station, is born in Detroit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Wishbone Ash bassist Martin Turner is born — 1947 – Wishbone Ash bassist Martin Turner is born in Torquay, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1945 – Disco composer/producer Donny Hathaway (“The Closer — 1945 – Disco composer/producer Donny Hathaway (“The Closer I Get to You”) is born in Chicago. He also sang the theme song to the Maude sitcom. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – Hippie hero Scott McKenzie (“San Francisco [Be Sure to Wear — 1944 – Hippie hero Scott McKenzie (“San Francisco [Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair]“) is born in Jacksonville, Fla., as Philip Blondheim. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1935 – Singer/actress Julie Andrews is born in Wal… — 1935 – Singer/actress Julie Andrews is born in Walton-on-Thames, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1930 – Richard Harris, the croaky Man Called Horse actor who went to No. 2 — 1930 – Richard Harris, the croaky Man Called Horse actor who went to No. 2 with “MacArthur Park,” is born in Limerick, Ireland. Also, he played Dumbledore in the first [...]