Rock History

On this day...

2009 – Willy DeVille dies on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2009 – Willy DeVille dies on This Day in Rock Music History! After fighting pancreatic cancer, Deville, Mink DeVille, dies at the age of 58. He had the hit ‘Spanish [...]

2008 – Elvis’ Peakcock Jumpsuit sells for $300k on This Day in Rock Music history! — 2008 – Elvis’ Peakcock Jumpsuit sells for $300k on This Day in Rock Music history! The suit sold at auction, making it the top selling Elvis memorabilia ever sold at [...]

2003 – Alana Davis leaves her record label Elektra. Her cover of Ani DiFranco’s — 2003 – Alana Davis leaves her record label Elektra. Her cover of Ani DiFranco’s “32 Flavors” went to No. 17 in the Adult Top 40 chart in 1998. Be Sociable, [...]

2001 – Guitarist William Lewis (Billy) Byrd dies i… — 2001 – Guitarist William Lewis (Billy) Byrd dies in Nashville of natural causes. He is 81. Byrd is known as one of the first to introduce electric guitar to country [...]

2001 – American harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler, wh… — 2001 – American harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era and had long made Britain his home, dies at a London hospital following a long illness. [...]

1999 – It’s Woodstock ’99 all over again when viol… — 1999 – It’s Woodstock ’99 all over again when violence erupts outside a Dave Matthews Band concert in Hartford, Conn. Unruly behavior in the parking lot of the Meadows Music [...]

1998 – The 7-year-old son of Grammy-winning produc… — 1998 – The 7-year-old son of Grammy-winning producer Bill Bottrell falls to his Death from a cliff on the Mendocino County coast in Northern California. Bottrell’s son, William, wanders away [...]

1997 – Garth Brooks plays a free concert in New Yo… — 1997 – Garth Brooks plays a free concert in New York’s Central Park. The concert was to coincide with the release of Brooks’ new album “Sevens.” However, release of the [...]

1995 – Rapper LL Cool J marries Simone Johnson, th… — 1995 – Rapper LL Cool J marries Simone Johnson, the mother of his two children. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – Alanis Morissette’s biting “You Oughta Know… — 1995 – Alanis Morissette’s biting “You Oughta Know” soars to No. 1 on Chart Toppers’s Modern Rock chart and is the most requested tune on rock radio. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – Celebrity accountant Martin Stainton vanishes. Some think he — 1994 – Celebrity accountant Martin Stainton vanishes. Some think he’s taken a lot of Rod Stewart’s, Tina Turner’s, and Simple Minds’ money with him. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – After his arrest on charges of marijuana possession, U2′s Adam — 1989 – After his arrest on charges of marijuana possession, U2′s Adam Clayton stays silent during a 90-second hearing in Dublin. He’s set free on bail and will return to [...]

1986 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Glory of Lov… — 1986 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Glory of Love,” Peter Cetera. Cetera was a member of the group Chicago until 1982. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1985 – To Mick Jagger, a son. Mick and Jerry Hall are the proud parents — 1985 – To Mick Jagger, a son. Mick and Jerry Hall are the proud parents of James Leroy Jagger. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – Soul/jazz/disco singer Esther Phillips (“What a Difference a Day Make — 1984 – Soul/jazz/disco singer Esther Phillips (“What a Difference a Day Makes”) dies in Carson, Calif., at age 48. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – Sting sues Virgin Music Publishing. He alleges that he signed a dea — 1982 – Sting sues Virgin Music Publishing. He alleges that he signed a deal with the company that gives it unfair control of his early material. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – The punk group X-Ray Spex split up after leader Poly Styrene tries to introduce — 1979 – The punk group X-Ray Spex split up after leader Poly Styrene tries to introduce a folk direction. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – Rolling Stones publicist Les Perrin die — 1978 – Rolling Stones publicist Les Perrin dies this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Don’t Go Bre… — 1976 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,”  & Kiki Dee. The song is the first on which John sings to hit No. 1 on [...]

1974 – Vocalist Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band ma… — 1974 – Vocalist Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band marries actress Faye Dunaway. They divorce in 1979. Person Peter Wolf Right click for SmartMenu shortcuts Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – At Los Angeles’ Pauley Pavilion, Frank Zappa & the Mothers play — 1971 – At Los Angeles’ Pauley Pavilion, Frank Zappa & the Mothers play the gig that becomes their album Just Another Band from L.A. It’s their last album with ex-Turtles [...]

1970 – Fleetwood Mac welcome new member Christine McVie, the wife — 1970 – Fleetwood Mac welcome new member Christine McVie, the wife of bass player John McVie and a former vocalist with Chicken Shack. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – Dave Clark Five lead singer Mike Smith breaks a few rib — 1965 – Dave Clark Five lead singer Mike Smith breaks a few ribs in Chicago when crazed fans pull him off stage. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – In England, the Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” is knocked out — 1965 – In England, the Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” is knocked out of the No. 1 spot by the Beatles’ “Help!” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – The nation’s weeklies review the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night. “Avoid this — 1964 – The nation’s weeklies review the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night. “Avoid this film at all costs!” declares Time. “Some Marx Brothers surrealism!” notes Life. “Amusing and engaging!” decides [...]

1963 – Beach Party premieres. Forget the jiggly stars Frankie Avalon and Annette — 1963 – Beach Party premieres. Forget the jiggly stars Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello and concentrate on the man with the axe, as Dick Dale & the Del Tones provide [...]

1960 – Ike and Tina Turner make their top 40 debut with their single “A Fool in Love.” — 1960 – Ike and Tina Turner make their top 40 debut with their single “A Fool in Love.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Vocalist Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden is … — 1958 – Vocalist Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden is born in Sheffield, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – The Quarry Men Skiffle Group, led by a young John Lennon, perform at Liverpool — 1957 – The Quarry Men Skiffle Group, led by a young John Lennon, perform at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. Lennon had met Paul McCartney a month earlier, but the Walrus did [...]

1955 – Tonight on TV, Ed Sullivan plays host to Bill Haley & the Comets, — 1955 – Tonight on TV, Ed Sullivan plays host to Bill Haley & the Comets, bringing rock ‘n’ roll to the masses with their “Rock Around the Clock.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1952 – Free bassist Andy Fraser is born in London this day in rock history! — 1952 – Free bassist Andy Fraser is born in London this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]