Rock History

On this day...

2012 – Joe Jackson, Michael’s father, has dropped the wrongful death lawsuit against promoters on This Day in Rock! — 2012 – Joe Jackson, Michael’s father, has dropped the wrongful death lawsuit against promoters on This Day in Rock! AEG sighs releif after the judge finds in favor and having [...]

2011 – The Monkees announce the bands 45th anniversary tour. Peter Tork, Davey Jones and Micky Dolenz —   2011 – The Monkees announce the bands 45th anniversary tour. Peter Tork, Davey Jones and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees  announce the bands 45th anniversary tour at The Groucho [...]

2009 – An exhibit of James Brown’s personal belongings opened at South Carolina State — 2009 – An exhibit of James Brown’s personal belongings opened at South Carolina State University. The collection included photos, crystal-studded suits, and even the hair curlers Brown [...]

2009 – Rihanna issued a statement thanking fans for their support after an alleged assault — 2009 – Rihanna issued a statement thanking fans for their support after an alleged assault by her R&B singer boyfriend Chris Brown, but the singer declined to comment [...]

2008 – A US music aficionado sold his collection of more than three million vinyl album — 2008 – A US music aficionado sold his collection of more than three million vinyl albums, singles and compact discs to an eBay buyer from Ireland for just [...]

2008 – Britney Spears failed in a court bid to regain visitation rights to her two — 2008 – Britney Spears failed in a court bid to regain visitation rights to her two children. Spears was banned from monitored visits in January of this [...]

2008 – a computer expert was jailed for two years for electronically stalking Linkin — 2008 – a computer expert was jailed for two years for electronically stalking Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington. Devon Townsend worked at a US national security laboratory in [...]

2006 – The Killers’ ex manager sues the band… — 2006 – The Killers’ ex manager sues the band, alleging he was unfairly fired in 2005 just as the group were becoming successful. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Kid Rock files a lawsuit to prevent the distribution… — 2006 – Kid Rock files a lawsuit to prevent the distribution of a videotape featuring himself and Creed’s Scott Stapp being “serviced” by four women. Hmmm… it’s good [...]

2004 – Simon Cowell was set to appear in a new episode of The Simpsons. The TV — American Idol 2004 -  Simon Cowell was set to appear in a new episode of The Simpsons. The TV Pop Idol judge would play a nursery boss who gets punched [...]

2004 – Les Gray dies… — 2004 – Les Gray, lead singer of ’70s Brit glam band Mud (“Tiger Feet”) dies of a heart attack in Portugal. He was 57. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Folk music singer/songwriter Tom Glazer die… — 2003 – Folk music singer/songwriter Tom Glazer dies in Philadelphia. Glazer, 88, is best known for the 1963 novelty song “On Top of Spaghetti.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Ringo Starr announces he’s starting… —   2003 – Ringo Starr announces he’s starting a new label called Pumkinhead to give a hand to musical “newcomers.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Elton John accused the music industry of exploiting young singers and dumping — 2002 – Elton John accused the music industry of exploiting young singers and dumping talented artists for manufactured group’s. He said ‘There are too many average and mediocre [...]

2002 – Venezuelan actor Juan carlos Diaz is arrested… — 2002 – Venezuelan actor Juan carlos Diaz is arrested for trespassing on Gloria Estefan’s Miami estate. He was under a restraining order after the Estefans alleged he was [...]

2001 – Robbie Williams was attacked and thrown from the stage during a concert — 2001 – Robbie Williams was attacked and thrown from the stage during a concert in Stuttgart, Germany after a man got onto the stage and pushed Williams into [...]

2001 – Steely Dan, U2, Eminem and Faith Hill each … —   2001 – Steely Dan, U2, Eminem and Faith Hill each win three Grammy wins at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – Rockabilly singer Malcolm Yelvington dies o… — 2001 – Rockabilly singer Malcolm Yelvington dies of heart failure in Memphis at the age of 82. Yelvington recorded for Sam Phillips’ Sun Records in the early ’50s; his label [...]

2001 – English vocalist Ronnie Hilton, who scored … — 2001 – English vocalist Ronnie Hilton, who scored 18 U.K. top-30 hits after 1954 dies. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – Tom Morello denies rumors that Chris Cornell… — 2001 – Tom Morello denies rumors that Chris Cornell has become the lead singer of Rage Against the Machine. It’s later announced that the new lead singer of [...]

1998 – Celine Dion went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘My Heart Will Go — 1998 – Celine Dion went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘My Heart Will Go On’. The song was the theme from the movie Titanic. The world’s [...]

1995 – For the first time in seven years, Bruce Sp… — 1995 – For the first time in seven years, Bruce Springsteen performs live with the E Street Band in a New York City nightclub for a video for Jonathan Demme’s [...]

1992 – Singer Jane Pickens Langley Hoving dies of … — 1992 – Singer Jane Pickens Langley Hoving dies of heart failure in Newport, R.I. She was the lead vocalist of the 1930s music trio the Pickens Sisters. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Milli Vanilli are awarded the Best New Artist Grammy. It would take until the following — 1990 – Milli Vanilli are awarded the Best New Artist Grammy. It would take until the following November for producer Frank Farian to confess that the duo of [...]

1982 – Disc jockey Murray “The K” Kaufman dies o… — 1982 – Disc jockey Murray “The K” Kaufman dies of cancer. Age 60. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – Murray “the K” Kaufman dies… — 1982 – Murray “the K” Kaufman, who used to be called the fifth Beatle because of his role in promoting their first tour, dies at age 60. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – REO Speedwagon started a 15 week run at the top of the Billboard album — 1981 – REO Speedwagon started a 15 week run at the top of the Billboard album chart with “Hi Infidelity”. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Vocalist Bon Scott of AC/DC falls unconscio… — 1980 – Vocalist Bon Scott of AC/DC falls unconscious and dies in a friend’s car after an all-night drinking bout. Ronald Belford “Bon” Scott (July 9, 1946 – February 19, [...]

1977 – Fleetwood Mac released ‘Rumours’. The album went on to sell more than 15 — 1977 – Fleetwood Mac released ‘Rumours’. The album went on to sell more than 15 million copies world-wide and spent 31 weeks at No.1 on the US chart. Be [...]

1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Pick Up the … — 1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Pick Up the Pieces,” Average White Band. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Led Zeppelin II approaches sales of 2 million… — 1970 – Having been in release for only 15 weeks, Led Zeppelin II approaches sales of 2 million. Led Zeppelin II is the second studio album by English rock [...]

1970 – Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” entered the UK album — 1970 – Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” entered the UK album chart at number 1, where it would stay for 12 consecutive weeks. It would [...]

1966 – Tommy Hendricks, rocker is born. — 1966 – Tommy Hendricks, rocker is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Wendy James is born… — 1966 – Wendy James, London England, vocalist (Transvision Vamp-Velveteen) is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “This Diamond… — 1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “This Diamond Ring,” Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Lewis is the son of comedian Jerry Lewis. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – A New York band called The Echoes recruited a young piano player named Billy Joel. — 1964 – A New York band called The Echoes recruited a young piano player named Billy Joel. The quartet would play cover songs under the names The [...]

1961 – The Beatles played three gigs in one day. The first was a lunchtime — 1961 – The Beatles played three gigs in one day. The first was a lunchtime show at the Cavern Club, then at night they appeared at the Cassanova [...]

1961 – Ranking Roger is born… — 1961 – Ranking Roger, rock vocalist (English Beat-Drowning) is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – The very first Gibson model Flying V guitar… —   1958 – The very first Gibson model Flying V guitar is shipped from a factory in Kalamazoo, Mich. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Singer and songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter… — 1958 – Singer and songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter is born in Princeton, N.J. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Secret Love,… — 1954 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Secret Love,” Doris Day. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1952 – Jean-Jacques Brunel is born… — 1952 – Jean-Jacques Brunel, rock bassist (Stranglers-Dreamtime) is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Vince Welnick is born… — 1951 – Vince Welnick, rock keyboardist (Tubes) is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Michael Cotten is born… — 1951 – Michael Cotten, rock synthesizer (Tubes) is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Jerry Harrison is born… — 1949 – Jerry Harrison, Milwaukee, rock keyboardist (Talking Heads) is Born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1945 – Paul Newton, rock bassist — 1945 – Paul Newton, rock bassist Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Producer and executive David Geffen is born… — 1943 – Producer and executive David Geffen is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Geffen, who graduates from high school in the bottom ten percent of his class and later drops out [...]

1939 – Ron Nagle, rock producer (Riding with the King) — 1939 – Ron Nagle, rock producer (Riding with the King) Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1922 – Murray “the K” Kaufman… — 1922 -  Murray “the K” Kaufman, who used to be called the fifth Beatle because of his role in promoting their first tour, is born, and oddly enough dies at [...]