Rock History

On this day...

2010 – Gene Simmons wants Simon Cowell’s job – he’s convinced he would make a better judge — 2010 – Gene Simmons wants Simon Cowell’s job – he’s convinced he would make a better judge on the TV mogul’s reality singing contests because he has real experience in [...]

2008 – English drummer Michael Lee died from a seizure aged 39. Worked with Robert Plant — 2008 – English drummer Michael Lee died from a seizure aged 39. Worked with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Little Angels, The Cult, Ian Gillan, Echo & The Bunnymen, [...]

2007 – Bono and The Edge from U2 made a surprise appearance at a charity gig — 2007 – Bono and The Edge from U2 made a surprise appearance at a charity gig, playing four songs before 250 people. The London gig at the Union Chapel was [...]

2005 – Madonna tops the album charts with Confessions on a — 2005 – Madonna tops the album charts with Confessions on a Dance Floor. The second highest new entry belongs to country duo Big & Rich, whose Comin’ to Your City [...]

2005 – Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, the singing couple who became — 2005 – Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, the singing couple who became huge stars thanks to their Newlyweds TV show, announce they are splitting. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Sony Classical releases Robert Downey Jr’s … — 2004 – Sony Classical releases Robert Downey Jr’s “The Futurist,” which includes eight songs penned by the actor. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Michael Jackson’s Number Ones album went to number one in — 2003 – Michael Jackson’s Number Ones album went to number one in the UK. In the US it entered the chart at number 13 and quickly dropped out of the [...]

2002 – Otis Redding’s widow and his former manager filed a lawsuit against the author — 2002 – Otis Redding’s widow and his former manager filed a lawsuit against the author of a biography written in 2001 about the R&B legend, claiming the book is filled [...]

2002 – Christina Aguilera was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Dirrty’ — 2002 – Christina Aguilera was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Dirrty’, her 3rd UK chart topper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – 51-year-old Juan Hinojosa, a drummer and fo… — 2001 – 51-year-old Juan Hinojosa, a drummer and founding member of the Tejano band Los Fabulosos Cuatro, dies along with his 28-year-old son in a traffic accident in Texas. Be [...]

2000 – the son of George Harrison was involved in a car crash. Dhani Harrison — 2000 – the son of George Harrison was involved in a car crash. Dhani Harrison crashed his Audi S3 in Oxfordshire but escaped any serious injury. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Twelve-year-old Billy Gilman sings “One Voi… — 2000 – Twelve-year-old Billy Gilman sings “One Voice” during festivities at the Dallas Cowboys-Minnesota Vikings football game. Gilman is joined by Jessica Simpson for the half-time show. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Dave Matthews Band release their second official live album — 1999 – Dave Matthews Band release their second official live album, Listener Supported. Taken from a PBS special, the double disc set goes to No. 15 in the Billboard album [...]

1998 – A businessman convicted of second-degree mu… — 1998 – A businessman convicted of second-degree murder in the drowning of the ex-wife of Jackson 5 member Tito Jackson is sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Donald [...]

1995 – Michael Jackson is crowned best male artist… — 1995 – Michael Jackson is crowned best male artist and Bjork best female artist. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – Pop songwriter Tommy Boyce, who wrote the Monkees hits “Last — 1994 – Pop songwriter Tommy Boyce, who wrote the Monkees hits “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Stepping Stone” with Bobby Hart, commits suicide after a long battle with depression. Be [...]

1992 – Born on this day, Miley Ray Cyrus, (born Destiny Hope Cyrus) — 1992 – Born on this day, Miley Ray Cyrus, (born Destiny Hope Cyrus), American actress, singer and songwriter. Miley Stewart -Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel series, Hannah [...]

1992 – Country music singer Roy Acuff dies of hear… — 1992 – Country music singer Roy Acuff dies of heart failure at age 89. In 1991 President George Bush presented Acuff with a National Medal of Art and in 1962 [...]

1983 – Badfinger bassist Tom Evans commits suicide after the band — 1983 – Badfinger bassist Tom Evans commits suicide after the band splits by hanging himself, just as Badfinger songwriter Pete Ham had done eight years earlier. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – Marianne Faithfull is arrested at the Oslo,… — 1979 – Marianne Faithfull is arrested at the Oslo, Norway, airport for possession of marijuana. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – Jerry Lee Lewis is arrested outside of Elvi… — 1976 – Jerry Lee Lewis is arrested outside of Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion after waving a pistol and demanding to see “The King.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – Keyboardist Gary Wright leaves Spooky Tooth. He goes — 1974 – Keyboardist Gary Wright leaves Spooky Tooth. He goes on to enjoy the 1976 solo smash “Dream Weaver.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – Women’s Wear Daily announces that Mick Jagger has joined its Cat — 1972 – Women’s Wear Daily announces that Mick Jagger has joined its Cat Pack list, which also features Henry Kissinger and Truman Capote. We have no idea what qualified him [...]

1972 – Bob Dylan and wife Sara arrive in Durango, Colo., where he’s — 1972 – Bob Dylan and wife Sara arrive in Durango, Colo., where he’s due to begin filming Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – It’s reported that San Francisco’s Family Dog collective has lost — 1968 – It’s reported that San Francisco’s Family Dog collective has lost its license to hold its famed marathon Grateful Dead concerts at the Avalon Ballroom. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant finalizes a deal to sign — 1968 – Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant finalizes a deal to sign the band to Atlantic Records after Dusty Springfield recommends Jimmy Page to label boss Ahmet Ertegun. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – In today’s issue of Rolling Stone, San Francisco DJ Tom Donahue — 1967 – In today’s issue of Rolling Stone, San Francisco DJ Tom Donahue pronounces, “Top 40 radio as we know it today and have known it for the last ten [...]

1966 – In theaters today is Elvis Presley’s 22nd film. Spinout is — 1966 – In theaters today is Elvis Presley’s 22nd film. Spinout is described by Halliwell’s Film Guide as a “mild star musical which at least stays in the open [...]

1965 – The Beatles shoot promotional clips for “I Feel Fine,” “Ticket to Ride, — 1965 – The Beatles shoot promotional clips for “I Feel Fine,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Help!,” “Day Tripper,” and “We Can Work It Out” at London’s Twickenham Studios. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – The Rolling Stones are banned from the BBC for unprofessionalism — 1964 – The Rolling Stones are banned from the BBC for unprofessionalism after showing up late for appearances on the radio shows Top Gear and Saturday Club. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – The Beatles audition for BBC producers looking for bands — 1962 – The Beatles audition for BBC producers looking for bands with TV potential. They fail. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – Style Council bassist Chris Bostock is born in Bristol, England. — 1962 – Style Council bassist Chris Bostock is born in Bristol, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1960 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Are You Lone… — 1960 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” Elvis Presley. The song is the King’s 14th Chart Toppers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1959 – RCA Records tries to allay worries that the Army — 1959 – RCA Records tries to allay worries that the Army will change Elvis for the worse. A spokesman says, “It just ain’t true.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Disco keyboardist/vocalist Mark Radice is born — 1957 – Disco keyboardist/vocalist Mark Radice is born in Newark, N.J. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Madonna friend and early producer Jellybean Benitez is born. — 1957 – Madonna friend and early producer Jellybean Benitez is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – Sheet metal worker Louis Balint was arrested after punching Elvis Presley — 1956 – Sheet metal worker Louis Balint was arrested after punching Elvis Presley at a Hotel in Toledo. Balint claimed that his wife’s love for Elvis had caused [...]

1954 – Bruce Hornsby is born in Williamsburg, Va. … — 1954 – Bruce Hornsby is born in Williamsburg, Va. His biggest hit is the No. 1 song “The Way It Is” in 1986. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “You Always H… — 1944 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “You Always Hurt the One You Love,” Mills Brothers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Czechoslovakian avant-rock saxophonist Jiri Stivin is born — 1942 – Czechoslovakian avant-rock saxophonist Jiri Stivin is born in Prague. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Mississippi soul singer Betty Everett, who — 1939 – Mississippi soul singer Betty Everett, who sang “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss),” is born in Greenwood. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1936 – In a San Antonio hotel room, mysterious blues pioneer — 1936 – In a San Antonio hotel room, mysterious blues pioneer Robert Johnson records his first tracks, including “Ramblin’ on My Mind.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1931 – Gloria Lynne, whose sides for Everest are much prized — 1931 – Gloria Lynne, whose sides for Everest are much prized among Northern soul collectors, is born in New York. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1925 – Composer Johnny Mandel, who wrote the theme from M*A*S*H, — 1925 – Composer Johnny Mandel, who wrote the theme from M*A*S*H, “Suicide Is Painless,” is born in New York. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1899 – The world’s first jukebox was installed at San Francisco’s’ Palais Royal Hotel. — 1899 – The world’s first jukebox was installed at San Francisco’s’ Palais Royal Hotel. Be Sociable, Share! [...]