Rock History

On this day...

2006 – During a visit to Venezuela, calypso star/actor Harry belafonte — 2006 – During a visit to Venezuela, calypso star/actor Harry belafonte tells the press that President Bush is “the greatest terrorist in the world.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – The Strokes top the U.K. album chart with their third LP, First — 2006 – The Strokes top the U.K. album chart with their third LP, First Impressions of the Earth. X-Factor winner Shayne Ward continues to lord it over the hit parade [...]

2005 – Rap firebrand Nas marries R&B tease Kelis (“Milkshake”) in Atlanta. — 2005 – Rap firebrand Nas marries R&B tease Kelis (“Milkshake”) in Atlanta. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – Hong Kong actor/singer Andy Lau, best known in the U.S. for his — 2005 – Hong Kong actor/singer Andy Lau, best known in the U.S. for his role in House of Flying Daggers, wins five Jade Solid Gold awards, including Most Popular Male [...]

2005 – Australian artists including Kasey Chambers… — 2005 – Australian artists including Kasey Chambers, “Australian Idol” winners Guy Sebastian and Casey Donovan, Jet vocalist Nic Cester, the Living End guitarist Chris Cheney, You Am I guitarist Dave [...]

2004 – G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo is released from New York’s Lakeview — 2004 – G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo is released from New York’s Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility after serving a year on weapons possession charges. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Sheryl Crow, U2′s The Edge, Alicia Keys and Ben Affleck — 2004 – Sheryl Crow, U2′s The Edge, Alicia Keys and Ben Affleck appear at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to speak out against digital piracy. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – On what would have been Elvis Presley’s 69th birthday, — 2004 – On what would have been Elvis Presley’s 69th birthday, it’s announced that he’s the biggest selling solo artist in American history. His label RCA says Presley has sold [...]

2004 – Shortly after B2K announce their split, members Lil Fizz, J — 2004 – Shortly after B2K announce their split, members Lil Fizz, J-Boog and Raz-B say they will continue to work together, but will no longer be associated with their management [...]

2004 – Outkast keep their lock on the top two singles in the U.S. for — 2004 – Outkast keep their lock on the top two singles in the U.S. for a fifth week, with Andre 3000′s “Hey Ya!” at No. 1 and Big Boi’s “The [...]

2004 – Former Spice Girl Mel C (“I Turn to You”) says she will release — 2004 – Former Spice Girl Mel C (“I Turn to You”) says she will release CDs through her own label after being dropped by Virgin Records. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – the estate of George Harrison started a $10 million (£5.8 million) — 2004 – the estate of George Harrison started a $10 million (£5.8 million) legal action against Dr Gilbert Lederman of Staten Island University Hospital, claiming the doctor coerced Harrison to [...]

2001 – a woman who believed that Axl Rose communicated with her — 2001 – a woman who believed that Axl Rose communicated with her via telepathy was arrested for stalking the Guns N’ Roses singer for a second time. Police detained Karen [...]

2000 – Christina Aguilera started a two week run at No.1 on the US — 2000 – Christina Aguilera started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘What A Girl Wants.’ She ended Santana’s 12- week run at No.1 with [...]

1997 – Fruit Of The Loom announces that Vince Gill… — 1997 – Fruit Of The Loom announces that Vince Gill, Hank Williams Jr., Wynonna, Travis Tritt, Randy Travis, The Charlie Daniels Band, Bryan White and Jo Dee Messina will all [...]

1996 – A Los Angeles court found Robert Hoskins guilty of five — 1996 – A Los Angeles court found Robert Hoskins guilty of five counts of stalking, assault and making terrorist threats to Madonna. Hoskins had twice scaled the walls of the [...]

1995 – Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder hosts a national l… — 1995 – Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder hosts a national late-night radio show broadcast titled “Self Pollution Radio” from the band’s hometown of Seattle. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – Chaka Demus and Pliers were at No.1 in the UK — 1994 – Chaka Demus and Pliers were at No.1 in the UK with ‘Twist And Shout.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – A 29-cent U.S. postage stamp bearing the li… — 1993 – A 29-cent U.S. postage stamp bearing the likeness of a 1950s-era Elvis Presley is issued at a post office near the King’s Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn. The [...]

1991 – Steve Clark of Def Leppard is found dead in… — 1991 – Steve Clark of Def Leppard is found dead in the living room of his London home by his girlfriend. The coroner rules that the 30-year-old died of a [...]

1979 – The Canadian government names Rush “Offici… — 1979 – The Canadian government names Rush “Official Ambassadors of Music.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Taking time out from their group 5th Dimension Marilyn McCoo — 1977 – Taking time out from their group 5th Dimension Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘You Don’t Have To Be A [...]

1977 – Queen went to No.1 on the UK album chart with — 1977 – Queen went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Day At The Races.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Tickets for three Led Zeppelin concerts at Madison Square — 1975 – Tickets for three Led Zeppelin concerts at Madison Square Garden go on sale. The box office has to call on other ticket outlets to help cope with demand [...]

1974 – Kiss is signed to its first recording contr… — 1974 – Kiss is signed to its first recording contract. KISS drum up some press by performing a “dress rehearsal” shortly after signing to Casablanca Records and honing their carnival-esque [...]

1973 – Watch out. Yoko’s about. Yoko Ono releases Approximately — 1973 – Watch out. Yoko’s about. Yoko Ono releases Approximately Infinite Universe, a double album whose highlights include songs like “I Felt Like Smashing My Face in a Clear Glass [...]

1973 – Elvis Presley sues Priscilla Presley for di… — 1973 – Elvis Presley sues Priscilla Presley for divorce. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – The New Seekers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with — 1972 – The New Seekers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing, (in Perfect Harmony’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were both barred from an exclusive — 1969 – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were both barred from an exclusive hotel for wearing “op art” pants and nothing else. They were both asked to leave the Hotel [...]

1966 – ABC broadcasts the last ever episode of pop music program Shindig! — 1966 – ABC broadcasts the last ever episode of pop music program Shindig! The Kinks and the Who see off the twice-weekly show in explosive fashion. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – The Beatles started a six week run at No.1 on the US album — 1966 – The Beatles started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Rubber Soul’ the groups seventh US chart topper, which went on to spend [...]

1963 – The Beatles appeared live on Scottish TV’s Round Up, transmitted — 1963 – The Beatles appeared live on Scottish TV’s Round Up, transmitted live from The Theatre Royal, Glasgow. They mimed to ‘Please Please Me.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Elvis Presley undergoes an army pre-induction exam — 1957 – Elvis Presley undergoes an army pre-induction exam in Memphis on his 22nd birthday. He passes. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Bill Haley & His Comets started the first ever ‘rock & roll — 1957 – Bill Haley & His Comets started the first ever ‘rock & roll tour’ of Australia, playing two sold out nights in Sydney. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1955 – Loverboy vocalist Mike Reno is born on — 1955 – Loverboy vocalist Mike Reno is born on this day in rock history. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Terry Sylvester, Graham Nash’s replacement in the Hollie — 1947 – Terry Sylvester, Graham Nash’s replacement in the Hollies, is born in Liverpool, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1948 – Paul King, member of King (“Love and Pride”) and a European — 1948 – Paul King, member of King (“Love and Pride”) and a European VJ, is born in Dagenham, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – David Bowie (David Robert Jones) is born in… — 1947 – David Bowie (David Robert Jones) is born in London. He first records with the King Bees, Lower Third and the Mannish Boys in 1963 before going solo. His [...]

1946 – The Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger is born — 1946 – The Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger is born in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943- The Nice bassist Lee Jackson is born this day in rock! — 1943- The Nice bassist Lee Jackson is born this day in rock! Keith “Lee” Jackson (born 8 January 1943, in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a British bass player and singer, best [...]

1940 – Singer Cristy Lane, whose “One Day at a Time” is one — 1940 – Singer Cristy Lane, whose “One Day at a Time” is one of the biggest gospel hits ever, is born in Peoria, Ill., as Eleanor Johnston. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1937 – Welsh songbird Shirley Bassey, who sang the theme to Goldfinger — 1937 – Welsh songbird Shirley Bassey, who sang the theme to Goldfinger, is born in Tiger Bay. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1935 – Elvis Presley is born in Tupelo, Miss., one… — 1935 – Elvis Presley is born in Tupelo, Miss., one of a pair of twins. His brother Jessie is stillborn. Chart Toppers ranks him as the top pop recording artist [...]