Rock History

On this day...

2011 – AC/DC Refuses to allow their songs for Download on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – AC/DC Refuses to allow their songs for Download on This Day in Rock! “I know The Beatles have changed, but we’re going to carry on like that,” AC/DC guitarist [...]

2011 – Russian-born billionaire Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries bought the music and publishing — 2011 – Russian-born billionaire Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries bought the music and publishing divisions of the Warner Music Group on This Day in Rock. Acts and music include bands like: [...]

2009 – Trina Johnson-Finn is taken into custody for allegedly passing herself of as Toni — 2009 – Trina Johnson-Finn is taken into custody for allegedly passing herself of as Toni Braxton on This Day in Rock.   Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Gnarls Barkley remain atop the U.K. singles chart for a sixth… — 2006 – Gnarls Barkley remain atop the U.K. singles chart for a sixth straight week with “Crazy.” Irish Coldplay imitators Snow Patrol top the album charts with Eyes Open. Be [...]

2005 – American Idol judge Paula Abdul appears on Saturday Night… — 2005 – American Idol judge Paula Abdul appears on Saturday Night Live in a (weak) sketch poking fun at claims she slept with a contestant. On the same show, System [...]

2005 – A 3 to 1 move on Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 fo… — 2005 – A 3 to 1 move on Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 for Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” ends the nine-week reign of 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop” featuring Olivia, which slips [...]

2004 – a planning inquiry hearing Madonna’s appeal to ban ramblers from parts — 2004 – a planning inquiry hearing Madonna’s appeal to ban ramblers from parts of her £9m country estate heard details of the land’s make-up. The pop star claimed 100 acres [...]

2003 – Fleetwood Mac kick off their tour in support… — 2003 – Fleetwood Mac kick off their tour in support of Say You Will in Columbus, Ohio. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Police shut down a London video shoot by Russian lesbian… — 2003 – Police shut down a London video shoot by Russian lesbian teen duo t.A.t.U. after 100 teenage girls turn up in school uniform outside the Houses of Parliament [...]

2003 – London’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) … — 2003 – London’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) formally cautions Pete Townshend for “accessing a Web site containing child abuse images” in 1999. Townshend-who was arrested in January on suspicion of [...]

2002 – The Rolling Stones arrive by blimp at New Y… — 2002 – The Rolling Stones arrive by blimp at New York’s Van Cortland Park to announce their 2002/2003 world tour. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – A small but enthusiastic audience turns out… — 2000 – A small but enthusiastic audience turns out to see vocalist Patti Page in a special concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Celebrating the release of a new album, Brand [...]

2000 – A schizophrenic man said to be stalking Linda Ronstadt… — 2000 – A schizophrenic man said to be stalking Linda Ronstadt is arrested in Sun City, Ariz. The man was wearing a white tuxedo and carrying a rose he [...]

1999 – Soul chanteuse Lisa Stansfield makes her fi… — 1999 – Soul chanteuse Lisa Stansfield makes her film debut in the U.K. in the comedy Swing. The movie, directed by Nick Mead, also stars Hugo Speer of “The Full [...]

1999 – Latin music sensation Ricky Martin is named… — 1999 – Latin music sensation Ricky Martin is named international breakthrough artist of the year at the inaugural MTV-CCTV Music Honors, an awards show that pays tribute to international artists [...]

1998 – Tens of thousands of young fans shut down c… — 1998 – Tens of thousands of young fans shut down central Tokyo to traffic in an outpouring of grief for X-Japan guitarist Hideto “Hide” Matsumoto, who hanged himself five days [...]

1998 – Country singer Eddie Rabbitt, diagnosed wit… — 1998 – Country singer Eddie Rabbitt, diagnosed with lung cancer the previous year, dies. He is 56. His last album is “Beatin’ The Odds.” Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised [...]

1998 – Beck blurs yet more artistic lines with a p… — 1998 – Beck blurs yet more artistic lines with a performance art piece and multimedia presentation of work made by himself and his late grandfather, the Fluxus artist Al Hansen. [...]

1998 – Steve Perry leaves Journey a second time after the band… — 1998 – Steve Perry leaves Journey a second time after the band decides to tour without the lead singer, who is suffering from back trouble. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Country Rock singer Eddie Rabbitt dies of lung cancer at age 56. — 1998 – Country Rock singer Eddie Rabbitt dies of lung cancer at age 56. Edward Thomas Rabbitt (born November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998) was a country music singer. [...]

1998 – California’s Santa Monica Museum of Art reopens… — 1998 – California’s Santa Monica Museum of Art reopens with Beck performing “New Age Evisceration 1″ as part of a multimedia installation combining his work with that of his [...]

1994 – Aerosmith played the first of seven nights at the Nippon — 1994 – Aerosmith played the first of seven nights at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, during their 245 date Get A Grip world tour. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1992 – a leather Jacket worn by John Lennon during 1960-1963 — 1992 – a leather Jacket worn by John Lennon during 1960-1963, was sold at Christies, London, for £24,200. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Ozzy Osbourne: At a Court in Macon, Georgia a local couple lose their — 1991  –   At a Court in Macon, Georgia a local couple lose their case against Ozzy Osbourne. They claimed that their son was inspired to attempt suicide by Ozzy’s [...]

1990 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Nothing Compa… — 1990 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor. The millionselling single is the Irish rocker’s only top 40 hit. It is written by Prince. [...]

1986 – John Mellencamp protests with farmers before… — 1986 – John Mellencamp protests with farmers before the Farmers Home Administration office in Chillicothe, Mo. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Crazy for You… — 1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Crazy for You,” Madonna. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – Having broken up the Jam, Paul Weller… — 1983 – Having broken up the Jam, Paul Weller unveils his next project – the Style Council – at a South London “no nukes” rally. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – 90,000 tickets for Bob Dylan’s Earls Court concerts… — 1978  –   90,000 tickets for Bob Dylan’s Earls Court concerts sell out in eight hours. Far from ‘Blowin in the wind’! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “If I Can’t Ha… — 1978 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “If I Can’t Have You,” Yvonne Elliman. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – David Bowie played the first of three nights on — 1978 – David Bowie played the first of three nights on his Low / Heroes world tour at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Hotel California’ — 1977 – The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Hotel California’, the groups fourth US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Former backing singer with Stevie Wonder, Deniece Williams — 1977 – Former backing singer with Stevie Wonder, Deniece Williams was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Free’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – Reginald Dwight changed his name by Deed poll to Elton Hercules John. — 1972 – Reginald Dwight changed his name by Deed poll to Elton Hercules John. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – During a North American tour Pink Floyd appeared at Pauley Pavilion — 1970 – During a North American tour Pink Floyd appeared at Pauley Pavilion, at the University of California in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – Aretha Franklin records a French concert for her album Aretha in Paris. — 1968 – Aretha Franklin records a French concert for her album Aretha in Paris. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Happening… — 1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Happening,” The Supremes. The song is the group’s last single. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Bob Dylan gives his first interview since his 1966… — 1967 – Bob Dylan gives his first interview since his 1966 motorcycle accident to the Daily News. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Jimi Hendrix played two shows at London’s Saville Theatre. Ringo Starr — 1967 – Jimi Hendrix played two shows at London’s Saville Theatre. Ringo Starr, Brian Jones and members of The Beach Boys and The Moody Blues were in the audience. Be Sociable, [...]

1966 – Del Shannon hits Hot 100 for the sixteenth time… — 1966  –   Del Shannon hits Hot 100 for the sixteenth time with The Big Hurt, his last hit until 1981. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – James Brown hits UK chart with It’s… — 1966  –   James Brown hits UK chart with It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – Chuck Berry’s No Particular Place to Go hits UK chart. — 1964  –   Chuck Berry’s No Particular Place to Go hits UK chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1961 – Phil Campbell (Motorhead) is born… — 1961 -  Phil Campbell (Motorhead) is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1960 – Producer Joe Meek has his first hit when… — 1960  –   Producer Joe Meek has his first hit when Flee-Reckers enter chart with Green Jeans. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1959 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Happy Org… — 1959 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Happy Organ,” Dave Cortez. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – The Champs perform their No. 1 “Tequila”… — 1958 – The Champs perform their No. 1 “Tequila” on American Bandstand. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1950 – Prairie Prince, drummer for The Tubes is born on This Day in Rock! — 1950 – Prairie Prince, drummer for The Tubes is born on This Day in Rock! Hits include: ‘Talk to ya later’ and ‘White Punks on Dope’.   Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Bill Danoff of the Starland Vocal Band is b… — 1946 – Bill Danoff of the Starland Vocal Band is born in Springfield, Mass. The group’s biggest hit is “Afternoon Delight,” a million-selling No. 1 song in 1976. Be Sociable, [...]

1943 – Rick Westwood, guitarist for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes is born on This Day in Rock! — 1943 – Rick Westwood, guitarist for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes is born on This Day in Rock!   Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Derek Taylor (Beatles press officer) is born… — 1942  -  Derek Taylor (Beatles press officer) is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Johnny Maestro of the Crests and Brooklyn Bridge… — 1939 – Johnny Maestro of the Crests and Brooklyn Bridge is born – as you might expect – in New York. The Crests were best known for their 1958 [...]