Rock History

On this day...

Happy Saint Patricks day! — Music Finnegan’s Wake What happens when a dearly loved Irishman passes on? Well, it’s time to celebrate his wake. This song is dedicated, no doubt, to the Irishman’s love of funerals and [...]

2008 – Gyroscope were at No.1 on the Australian album chart — 2008 – Gyroscope were at No.1 on the Australian album chart with ‘Breed Obsession’ the Australian bands third studio album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – The Smiths turned down a $5m (£2.8m) offer to reform — The Smiths 2006 – The Smiths turned down a $5m (£2.8m) offer to reform for a music festival. The band who split acrimoniously in 1987, rejected the bid to get back [...]

2006 – Rapper Lumumba Carson aka Professor X dies … — 2006 – Rapper Lumumba Carson aka Professor X dies in New York at the age of 49. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant… — 2005 – Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant is presented with his lifetime achievement Grammy award at the South By Southwest (SXSW) music festival and conference in [...]

2005 – Justin Hawkins from The Darkness became the centre of — 2005 – Justin Hawkins from The Darkness became the centre of the latest hands-on activity at Madame Tussauds in London. His wax double would judge the air guitar skills of [...]

2005 – Prolific singer/songwriter/guitarist Lalo G… — 2005 – Prolific singer/songwriter/guitarist Lalo Guerrero, known as the “Father of Chicano Music,” dies in Palm Springs, Calif. He is 88. One of the legendary forces in Chicano music, [...]

2004 – The Kinks singer Ray Davies received his CBE medal — 2004 – The Kinks singer Ray Davies received his CBE medal from the Queen at Buckingham Palace for services to the music industry. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Dire Straits singer-guitarist Mark Knopfler… — 2003 – Dire Straits singer-guitarist Mark Knopfler is hospitalized after his motorcycle collides with a car in London. He suffers a broken collarbone and six broken ribs. Be [...]

2003 – Dixie Chick Natalie Maines apologizes… — 2003 – Dixie Chick Natalie Maines apologizes to George W. Bush for comments made earlier in the month. Several radio stations boycotted the group’s records after Maines [...]

2003 -Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson sues… — 2003 -Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson sues a Swedish newspaper, claiming they falsely reported she had suffered a second brain tumor. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Paul McCartney tops the Rolling Stone… — 2003 – Paul McCartney tops the Rolling Stone rich list, with earnings of $72 million. Runners-up are the Rolling Stones ($44 million) and Dave Matthews Band ($31 [...]

2003 – Bill Carlisle, a Grand Ole Opry cast member… — 2003 – Bill Carlisle, a Grand Ole Opry cast member who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame the previous year, dies at his Nashville home of complications [...]

2002 – The Damned play their last show on Rob… — 2002 – The Damned play their last show on Rob Zombie’s Speeding Demon Tour. Says Captain Sensible, “from the very first show it was apparent that the [...]

2002 – Nickelback started a two-week run at No.1 on — 2002 – Nickelback started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Silver Side Up.’ Lyrics: He’s drunk again, it’s time to fight She must have done something wrong tonight The [...]

2002 – More than a quarter-century after its relea… — 2002 – More than a quarter-century after its release as a double album of amplified noise and feedback, former Velvet Underground leader Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music” gets its [...]

2000 – Widower Paul McCartney admits that he’s… — 2000 – Widower Paul McCartney admits that he’s now courting model Heather Mills. It is also revealed that the ex-Beatle is worth around $865 million. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” is certified … — 2000 – Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” is certified for sales of 17 million in the U.S., making it the best-selling solo album by a female artist, according to the [...]

1999 – Lillian McMurry, co-founder and owner of Tr… — 1999 – Lillian McMurry, co-founder and owner of Trumpet Records dies of a heart attack in Jackson, Miss. She is 78. Her label was the first to record slide [...]

1999 – Japanese television stations interrupt prog… — 1999 – Japanese television stations interrupt programming to report on the murder of the mother of the country’s most famous pop idol, Namie Amuro. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Van Halen release their first album with new… — 1998 – Van Halen release their first album with new singer Gary Cherone, titled Van Halen III. The band promotes it with a midnight record-signing session at [...]

1997 – US singer Jermaine Stewart died of cancer. (1986 UK No.2 — 1997 – US singer Jermaine Stewart died of cancer. (1986 UK No.2 single ‘We Don’t Have To…Take Our Clothes Off’). Also worked with Shalamar, The Temptations and Boy George. Be Sociable, [...]

1997 – Elvis Presley Enterprises of Memphis, Tennessee, lost its Court — 1997 – Elvis Presley Enterprises of Memphis, Tennessee, lost its Court of Appeal battle to stop London trader Sid Shaw using the name of ‘The King’ on his souvenirs. The [...]

1995 – To hype her new Bedtime Stories album, Madonna… — 1995 – To hype her new Bedtime Stories album, Madonna holds what she calls “the world’s biggest pajama party” at New York’s Webster Hall. Madonna doesn’t perform, [...]

1995 – Neo-folksinger Suzanne Vega marries produce… — 1995 – Neo-folksinger Suzanne Vega marries producer and keyboardist Mitchell Froom in New York. Froom produced Vega’s 1992 album “99.9 Degrees F.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Rick Grech, bass player with Family, Blind Faith and Traffic — 1990 – Rick Grech, bass player with Family, Blind Faith and Traffic died of kidney and liver failure. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Whitney Houston headlines an AIDS benefit c… — 1990 – Whitney Houston headlines an AIDS benefit concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The concert, dubbed “That’s What Friends Are For,” also celebrates the 15th [...]

1990 – Stu Sweatman Jams with blues great “Johnny Lee Hooker”… — 1990 – Stu Sweatman Jams with blues great “Johnny Lee Hooker” at Talk of the town in Vallejo California. He signs His guitar as a keepsake. Jamed on ‘Boom, boom, [...]

1989 – Stock, Aitken and Waterman had three singles in the UK — 1989 – Stock, Aitken and Waterman had three singles in the UK Top 5: Jason Donovan’s ‘Too Many Broken Hearts’, Bananarama’s ‘Help’, and Donna Summer’s ‘This Time I Know It’s [...]

1984 – Howard Jones scored his first UK No.1 album — 1984 – Howard Jones scored his first UK No.1 album with his debut release ‘Human’s Lib’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – Samuel George Jr, lead singer of US group The Capitols — 1982 – Samuel George Jr, lead singer of US group The Capitols was killed aged 39 after being stabbed during a family argument. Had the 1966 US No. 7 single [...]

1982 – Samuel George Jr. of the Capitols dies afte… — 1982 – Samuel George Jr. of the Capitols dies after being stabbed. Age 38. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – Blues Project, with Al Kooper, Steve Katz … — 1981 – Blues Project, with Al Kooper, Steve Katz and Roy Blumenfeld, reunite for one-off concert at Bonds in New York. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – The Bee Gees went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Spirits Having Flown.’ — 1979 – The Bee Gees went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Spirits Having Flown.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – Gloria Gaynor started a four-week run at No.1 — 1979 – Gloria Gaynor started a four-week run at No.1 in the UK with the single ‘I Will Survive.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – The Bob Dylan song “Hurricane”… — 1976 – The Bob Dylan song “Hurricane” prompts boxer Rubin “Hurricane”‘ Carter’s retrial. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – The Bob Dylan song “Hurricane” prompts boxe… — 1976 – The Bob Dylan song “Hurricane” prompts boxer Rubin “Hurricane”‘ Carter’s retrial. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Born on this day, Justin Hawkins, vocals, The Darkness — 1975  – Born on this day, Justin Hawkins, vocals, The Darkness. (2003 UK No.2 single ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’, 2003 UK No.1 album ‘Permission To Land’). Be Sociable, [...]

1973 – Born on this day, Caroline Corr, drums, vocals, The Corrs — 1973 – Born on this day, Caroline Corr, drums, vocals, The Corrs, (1998 UK No.3 single ‘What Can I Do’. ‘Talk On Corners’ was the best selling UK album of [...]

1973 – Dr Hook’s single ‘On The Cover Of Rolling Stone — 1973  – Dr Hook’s single ‘On The Cover Of Rolling Stone peaked at No.6 on the US chart. The single was banned in the UK by the BBC due to [...]

1973 – Eric Weissberg started a three-week run at No.1 on t — 1973 – Eric Weissberg started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Dueling Banjos.’ Taken from the film ‘Deliverance.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Peter Gabriel married is girlfriend Jill. They were together on — 1971 – Peter Gabriel married is girlfriend Jill. They were together on and off for 17 years. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – The Bee Gees made their US television debut when they appeared — 1968 – The Bee Gees made their US television debut when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Crazy baldhead Billy Corgan of Smashing … — 1967 – Crazy baldhead Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins is born in Chicago. And he’s not happy about it. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – appearing at London’s Finsbury Park Astoria on the first night — 1967 – appearing at London’s Finsbury Park Astoria on the first night of a 17 date UK tour, Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd, Carla Thomas, Sam & Dave and Booker T [...]

1967 – working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles finished the recoding — 1967 – working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles finished the recoding of ‘She’s Leaving Home’ after adding backing vocals to the track. Harpist Sheila [...]

1966 – The Walker Brothers had their second UK No.1 — 1966 – The Walker Brothers had their second UK No.1 with the single ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’, (originally recorded by Frankie Valli). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – Born on this day, Wayne Coyne, guitar, vocals, Flaming Lips — 1965 – Born on this day, Wayne Coyne, guitar, vocals, and Michael Ivins, bass… from Flaming Lips, (2002 UK No. 32 single ‘Do You Realize’). Dual Birthdays… go figure. Be [...]

1962 – The Shirelles release “Soldier Boy.” The single… — 1962 – The Shirelles release “Soldier Boy.” The single becomes the New Jersey girl group’s biggest hit, selling a million copies and going all the way to [...]

1962 – Today’s issue of Billboard reports — 1962 – Today’s issue of Billboard reports that Ray Charles has started his own Tangerine record label. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, featuring… — 1962 – Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, featuring guitarist Alexis Korner and drummer Charlie Watts, begin a Saturday-night residency at London’s Ealing Jazz club. During their tenure there, [...]

1962 – Born on this day, Clare Grogan, vocals, Altered Images, (1981 — 1962 – Born on this day, Clare Grogan, vocals, Altered Images, (1981 UK No.2 single ‘Happy Birthday’) also an actress, her first film appearance was in the acclaimed film Gregory’s [...]

1962 – The Shadows started an eight week run at No. 1 in the UK — 1962 – The Shadows started an eight week run at No. 1 in the UK with the single ‘Wonderful Land’ the bands third No.1. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – The Champs started a five week run at No.1 — The Champs 1958 – The Champs started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Tequila’, a No.5 hit in the UK. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Buddy Holly and the Crickets play… — 1958 – Buddy Holly and the Crickets play the Gaumont, Doncaster, UK Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Elvis Presley bought the Graceland mansion from Mrs Ruth Brown — 1957 – Elvis Presley bought the Graceland mansion from Mrs Ruth Brown-Moore for $102,500. (£60,295). The 23 room, 10,000 square foot home, on 13.8 acres of land, would [...]

1956 – Carl Perkins appears on “Ozark Jubilee… — 1956 – Carl Perkins appears on “Ozark Jubilee.” It is his first television appearance. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – Born on this day, Wally Stocker, The Babys, (1977 US — 1954 – Born on this day, Wally Stocker, The Babys, (1977 US No.13 & UK No.45 single ‘Isn’t It Time’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham is born… — 1951 – Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham is born in Santa Monica, Calif. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – John Sebastian is born in New York… — 1944 – John Sebastian is born in New York. He forms the Lovin’ Spoonful in 1965 and has a No. 1 hit in 1976 with “Welcome Back,” the [...]

1944 – John Sebastian is born in New York. He form… — 1944 – John Sebastian is born in New York. He forms the Lovin’ Spoonful in 1965 and has a No. 1 hit in 1976 with “Welcome Back,” the theme for [...]

1944 – Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane) is born… — 1944 – Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane) is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1919 – Nat “King” Cole is born this day in Rock History! — 1919 – Nat “King” Cole is born this day in Rock History! Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1919 and christened Nat “King” Cole by a Los [...]