Rock History

On this day...

2006 – Bill Miller, who played piano with Frank Sinatra’s combo for over — Bill Miller 2006 – Bill Miller, who played piano with Frank Sinatra’s combo for over 40 years, dies aged 91. You can hear him tickling the ivories on evergreens like “My [...]

2005 – Luther Vandross dies at John F. Kennedy… — 2005 – Luther Vandross dies at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., two years after suffering a serious stroke. He is 54.

2005 – A cross-party collective of British politic… — 2005 – A cross-party collective of British politicians close the gap between parliament and the music business through a pair of initiatives. The four members of parliament make history with [...]

2005 – Victor Edward Willis, better known as the original cop… — 2005 – Victor Edward Willis, better known as the original cop with The Village People, is arrested in California for after police allegedly find a gun and drugs in his [...]

2005 – Michael Jackson’s seemingly un-ending legal woes continue… — 2005 – Michael Jackson’s seemingly un-ending legal woes continue, as he’s sued for breach-of-contract by a financial firm which claims it’s still owed money for a loan it negotiated.

2004 – Lenny Kravitz, Avril Lavigne, Jamelia, Alanis Morisette — 2004 – Lenny Kravitz, Avril Lavigne, Jamelia, Alanis Morisette, Nelly Furtado, The Corrs and Lionel Richie all play the Prince’s Trust concert held in London’s Hyde Park.

2002 – the funeral of The Who’s bass player John Entwistle took place — 2002 – the funeral of The Who’s bass player John Entwistle took place at a church in The Cotswolds. More than 200 mourners filed into the 12th century church of [...]

2002 – R&B pioneer Rosco Gordon dies after sufferi… — 2002 – R&B pioneer Rosco Gordon dies after suffering a hear attack at his Queens, N.Y. home. He is 68.

2001 – Herman Brood, one of Holland’s best-known r… — 2001 – Herman Brood, one of Holland’s best-known rock personalities commits suicide. He is 54. The singer/pianist/painter jumps from the roof of the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. On his body, police [...]

2000 – James Hill, baritone singer of the Grammy-w… — 2000 – James Hill, baritone singer of the Grammy-winning gospel vocal group the Fairfield Four, dies in Nashville of complications from diabetes. He is 83.

1999 – Limp Bizkit started a three week run at No.1 on the US — 1999 – Limp Bizkit started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Significant Other’ the bands first US No.1.

1999 – Helen Forrest, often called the best of the… — 1999 – Helen Forrest, often called the best of the big band singers, dies of congestive heart failure at the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital in Woodland Hills. She [...]

1998 – Western harmony group Riders in the Sky use… — 1998 – Western harmony group Riders in the Sky use their Grand Ole Opry appearance to pay tribute to the late Roy Rogers. Ranger Doug, Woody Paul and Joey the [...]

1998 – MTV airs “Beastiography,” a special profili… — 1998 – MTV airs “Beastiography,” a special profiling the Beastie Boys.

1996 – While in St. Louis, Mo., folky hip-hopper B… — 1996 – While in St. Louis, Mo., folky hip-hopper Beck performs a surprise acoustic set on Lollapalooza ’96′s second stage.

1996 – Musician Louis Gottlieb dies at the age of … — 1996 – Musician Louis Gottlieb dies at the age of 73.

1995 – R.E.M.’s Mike Mills becomes yet another rock casualty… — 1995 – R.E.M.’s Mike Mills becomes yet another rock casualty on the ill-fated Monster tour. He undergoes abdominal surgery while the band is in Germany.

1993 – Instrumentalist and bandleader Mario Bauza … — 1993 – Instrumentalist and bandleader Mario Bauza dies of cancer in New York at age 82. Bauza helped introduce Latin music to the United States and create the influential fusion [...]

1992 – Herbert Kenny of doo-wop pioneers the Ink Spots dies — 1992 – Herbert Kenny of doo-wop pioneers the Ink Spots dies of cancer at age 77.

1991 – A poll determines that the most-requested Elvis Presley… — 1991 – A poll determines that the most-requested Elvis Presley song is “Jailhouse Rock.”

1991 – Songwriters Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager file for divorce. — 1991 – Songwriters Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager file for divorce.

1989 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “If You Don’t… — 1989 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” Simply Red.

1987 – Heart are at the top the American singles charts… — 1987 – Heart are at the top the American singles charts with their ballad, “Alone.”

1979 – Los Angeles’ Bruin Theatre hosts the premiere of Rust Never Sleeps — 1979 – Los Angeles’ Bruin Theatre hosts the premiere of Rust Never Sleeps, a concert film directed by Neil Young.

1979 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Bad Girls,”… — 1979 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Bad Girls,” Donna Summer.

1976 – Frank Sinatra marries Barbara Marx, his fourth and final wife — 1976 – Frank Sinatra marries Barbara Marx, his fourth and final wife. She had been married to Zeppo Marx, by the way. … I want blue eyes too!

1969 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “In the Year … — 1969 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus),” Zager & Evans. Evans wrote the song in the year 1964. It is their only [...]

1969 – David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” album is rel… — 1969 – David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” album is released this day in rock history!

1969 – Led Zeppelin play at Laurel Pop Festival… — 1969 – Led Zeppelin play at Laurel Pop Festival… 1969 – July 11, 1969 Laurel, MD US Laurel Pop Festival (Laurel Race Track) Setlist: setlist includes: Train Kept a Rollin’, I Can’t Quit You Baby, [...]

1964 – Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody” slurs into the top 40. — 1964 – Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody” slurs into the top 40.

1962 – English producer Joe Meek writes “Telstar,” a future No. 1 — 1962 – English producer Joe Meek writes “Telstar,” a future No. 1 inspired by the launch of a telecommunications satellite.

1960 – Richie Sambora, guitar god with Bon Jovi and owner — 1960 – Richie Sambora, guitar god with Bon Jovi and owner of a great set of teeth, is born in New Jersey.

1959 – Suzanne Vega (“Luka”) is born in Santa Monica — 1959 – Suzanne Vega (“Luka”) is born in Santa Monica, Calif. this day in rock history! Person Suzanne Vega Right click for SmartMenu shortcuts

1959 – Joan Baez appears at the first Newport Folk Festival, as the — 1959 – Joan Baez appears at the first Newport Folk Festival, as the special guest of Bob Gibson. Baez was so eager to appear on stage she apparently did a [...]

1959 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Lonely Boy,’… — 1959 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Lonely Boy,” Paul Anka.

1951 – Bonnie Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is bo… — 1951 – Bonnie Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is born in Detroit, the daughter of a minister. The group, which is formed in Oakland, Calif., by sisters Ruth, Anita, Bonnie [...]

1945 – Myra Gale Brown is born today. Thirteen years later — 1945 – Myra Gale Brown is born today. Thirteen years later she would marry Jerry Lee Lewis.

1911 – Mitch Miller is born in Rochester, N.Y. He was the A&R — 1911 – Mitch Miller is born in Rochester, N.Y. He was the A&R head of Columbia Records, and leader of Mitch Miller & His Gang, a 1960s sing-along ensemble.