Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Cheap Trick’s Stage Collapses on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Cheap Trick’s Stage Collapses on This Day in Rock! The main stage at Ottawa Bluesfest collapsed during a Cheap Trick concert as a severe thunderstorm sent the musicians and [...]

2008 – Ageing rock stars and session musicians would keep receiving — Roger Daltrey 2008 – Ageing rock stars and session musicians would keep receiving royalties for their old recordings for the rest of their lives under a European Union plan. Performers currently [...]

2006 – Hunky Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro and teen… — 2006 – Hunky Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro and teen fantasy Carmen Electra announce they are splitting after three years of marriage. Their beautiful division is described as “amicable.” Be Sociable, [...]

2005 – Singer-songwriter James Blunt tops the U.K. singles… — 2005 – Singer-songwriter James Blunt tops the U.K. singles and album chart with “You’re Beautiful” and Back to Bedlam respectively. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – Terrorist bombings in London forced the can… — 2005 – Terrorist bombings in London forced the cancellation or postponement of a number of concerts in the city. Cancelled events include Sum 41′s show at Astoria, the Prodigy at [...]

2005 – Kelly Clarkson’s concert in Orlando, Fla., … — 2005 – Kelly Clarkson’s concert in Orlando, Fla., is cybercast live via AOLmusic.com. The show is also be available on demand after the conclusion of the performance. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Singer Linda Ronstadt is fired by the Aladdin Casino after she praise… — 2004 – Singer Linda Ronstadt is fired by the Aladdin Casino after she praises Michael Moore’s film Fahrenheit 9/11 during her stage show. The audience reacted with boos and threw [...]

2003 – Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, America’s hottest couple… — 2003 – Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, America’s hottest couple, are interviewed by NBC’s Dateline. When asked if they actually realize how famous they are, Lopez replied, “We don’t sit [...]

2003 – Mark Wilson, bassist with Aussie rock revivalists Jet… — 2003 – Mark Wilson, bassist with Aussie rock revivalists Jet, gets a black eye after a group of thugs attack him in Sydney. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Travis drummer Neil Primrose suffers a head… — 2002 – Travis drummer Neil Primrose suffers a head injury while swimming in a pool in Belfort, France, necessitating the cancellation of several European concerts. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – British vocalist Paul Young, who sand with … — 2000 – British vocalist Paul Young, who sang with Mike And The Mechanics and Sad CafT, dies of a heart attack in Chesire, U.K. He is 53. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Marc Hunter, lead singer with Dragon, dies … — 1998 – Marc Hunter, lead singer with Dragon, dies after a nine-month battle with throat cancer. He is 44. New Zealand-born Hunter is one of Australia’s most flamboyant performers, known [...]

1997 – during a European tour Michael Jackson appeared at Wembley — 1997 – during a European tour Michael Jackson appeared at Wembley Stadium, London. Tickets cost £26.75 Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – Punk japesters Blink-182 release their breakthrough Dude Ranch… — 1997 – Punk japesters Blink-182 release their breakthrough Dude Ranch. Featuring the hit “Dammit (Growing Up),” the album peaks at No. 67 on the Billboard 200. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Smashing Pumpkin Jimmy Chamberlin is fired from the band… — 1996 – Smashing Pumpkin Jimmy Chamberlin is fired from the band. A week earlier the drummer had been arrested on drug-possession charges in connection with the fatal overdose of touring [...]

1996 – Chas Chandler, the Animals bassist who became Jimi Hendrix’s… — 1996 – Chas Chandler, the Animals bassist who became Jimi Hendrix’s manager, dies in England at age 58. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – In Pontiac, Mich., Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley make a… — 1994 – In Pontiac, Mich., Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley make a surprise appearance at a Kiss convention. But while browsing the stalls, they discover Kiss costumes stolen from them [...]

1993 – Tireless “Weird Al” Yankovic records “Bohemian Polka… — 1993 – Tireless “Weird Al” Yankovic records “Bohemian Polka” and “Harvey the Wonder Hamster” for his album Alapalooza. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – James Brown is released after a two-year stretch in prison… — 1991 – James Brown is released after a two-year stretch in prison. He’s commended by his home state of Georgia upon his release. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – The revamped Lynyrd Skynyrd launch their latest world tour… — 1991 – The revamped Lynyrd Skynyrd launch their latest world tour in Baton Rouge, La. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – The Ozzy Osbourne Band started a 16-week tour of US prisons. — 1987 – The Ozzy Osbourne Band started a 16-week tour of US prisons. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – Keith Richards signs with Virgin Records as a solo… — 1987 – Keith Richards signs with Virgin Records as a solo artist this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – Guitarist Gary Moore leaves Thin Lizzy, to be replaced… — 1979 – Guitarist Gary Moore leaves Thin Lizzy, to be replaced by future Ultravox member and “Do They Know It’s Christmas” songwriter Midge Ure. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Ringo Starr divorces his wife, Maureen Cox. — 1975 – Ringo Starr divorces his wife, Maureen Cox. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service orders John Lennon… — 1974 – The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service orders John Lennon to leave the country within 60 days. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – The Moody Blues open the first quadraphonic… — 1974 – The Moody Blues open the first quadraphonic studio in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – In Montreal, a bomb destroys several speaker cones inside… — 1972 – In Montreal, a bomb destroys several speaker cones inside an equipment truck belonging to the touring Rolling Stones. The musical terrorist responsible remains at large. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – The full-length animated film “Yellow Subma… — 1968 – The full-length animated film “Yellow Submarine,” with songs by the Beatles, premieres in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Jazz guru John Coltrane dies of liver cancer in New York at age 40. — 1967 – Jazz guru John Coltrane dies of liver cancer in New York at age 40. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1959 – Jazz singer Billie Holiday dies. She posthu… — 1959 – Jazz singer Billie Holiday dies. She posthumously receives a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 and three of her recordings receive Grammy Hall of Fame Awards: “Strange Fruit” [...]

1958 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Hard Headed W… — 1958 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Hard Headed Woman,” Elvis Presley. The song is taken from the Presley film “King Creole.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1952 – Singer’s singer Phoebe Snow (“Poetry Man”) is born… — 1952 – Singer’s singer Phoebe Snow (“Poetry Man”) is born in New York. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1950 – Damon Harris, occasional member of the Temptations… — 1950 – Damon Harris, occasional member of the Temptations, is born in Baltimore. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Mick Tucker, who only could have played drums for Sweet… — 1949 – Mick Tucker, who only could have played drums for Sweet with a name like that, is born in Harlesden, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Bassist Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath is born… — 1949 – Bassist Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath is born in Birmingham, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Jon Wetton, who sang with Asia on hits like “Heat of the Moment,” is born… — 1949 – Jon Wetton, who sang with Asia on hits like “Heat of the Moment,” is born in Derby, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1941 – Spencer Davis, he of the Spencer Davis Group, is born… — 1941 – Spencer Davis, he of the Spencer Davis Group, is born in Swansea, Wales. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1932 – Composer Niccolo Castiglioni is born. … — 1932 – Composer Niccolo Castiglioni is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1925 – Singer Little Jimmy Scott – much beloved by Lou Reed – is born… — 1925 – Singer Little Jimmy Scott – much beloved by Lou Reed – is born in Cleveland. Be Sociable, Share! [...]