Rock History

On this day...

2008 – Paul McCartney announced today that he will perform in Isreal to the delight — 2008 – Paul McCartney announced today that he will perform in Isreal to the delight of many fans. It has been over 40 years since The Beatles tried to perform [...]

2004 – Radiohead’s Thom Yorke speaks at the ‘No to Star Wars’ CND — 2004 – Radiohead’s Thom Yorke speaks at the ‘No to Star Wars’ CND rally outside an air force base in Yorkshire, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Actor and occasional rocker Bruce Willis plays a show with his band — 2003 – Actor and occasional rocker Bruce Willis plays a show with his band the Accelerator for American troops in Northern Iraq. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Welsh power trio the Stereophonics announce they have fired drummer — 2003 – Welsh power trio the Stereophonics announce they have fired drummer Stuart Cable over “commitment issues.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Aftermath/Interscope artist 50 Cent dominat… — 2003 – Aftermath/Interscope artist 50 Cent dominates the Music of Black Origins (MOBO) Awards in London. The rapper is on hand to collect awards for best hip-hop artist, album (“Get [...]

2001 – The Strokes release their debut album Is This It, featuring their signature — 2001 – The Strokes release their debut album Is This It, featuring their signature songs “Last Night” and “Someday”. The album peaks at No. 33 on the Billboard charts. Be Sociable, [...]

2001 – Impish rock ‘n’ roller Ryan Adams releases his second solo album — 2001 – Impish rock ‘n’ roller Ryan Adams releases his second solo album, the acclaimed Gold. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – The voice of Bob Marley ushers satellite ra… — 2001 – The voice of Bob Marley ushers satellite radio onto the air, promising listeners greater variety on the dial _ for a price _ with the launch of XM [...]

2001 – Rapper Erick Sermon sustains serious injuri… — 2001 – Rapper Erick Sermon sustains serious injuries when, according to his publicist, he is involved in an auto accident. It is announced by police one week later that the [...]

2001 – Modern rock act the Verve Pipe plays a bene… — 2001 – Modern rock act the Verve Pipe plays a benefit concert at Schuba’s in Chicago. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – For the first time ever, the Recording Acad… — 2001 – For the first time ever, the Recording Academy agrees to accept a downloadable single for Grammy consideration. Virgin Records releases two singles, “Dig In,” by Lenny Kravitz and [...]

2000 – U2 frontman Bono turns up in Prague, where he meets with the World — 2000 – U2 frontman Bono turns up in Prague, where he meets with the World Bank president to discuss his debt-relief plan for the Third World. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – After offering a reward for its return, Matchbox Twenty’s Adam Gaynor gets — 2000 – After offering a reward for its return, Matchbox Twenty’s Adam Gaynor gets his favorite guitar returned to him. The green Taylor acoustic guitar was stolen from the side [...]

2000 – A collection of 1965 writings by Janis Jopl… — 2000 – A collection of 1965 writings by Janis Joplin to then-fiance Peter DeBlanc go up for auction on eBay. The collection, which includes 57 letters, five cards, a telegram, [...]

1998 – It is announced that Johnny Cash has suffer… — 1998 – It is announced that Johnny Cash has suffered a recurrence of pneumonia, less than a year after nearly dying from the ailment. Cash, 66, receives treatment at a [...]

1995 – Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” becomes the seco… — 1995 – Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” becomes the second single ever to debut at No. 1 on the Chart Toppers Hot 100. The only other artist to accomplish that feat is [...]

1990 – Dave Grohl, former drummer of the Washingto… — 1990 – Dave Grohl, former drummer of the Washington DC band Scream, joins Nirvana. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Macon, Ga., names Little Richard Boulevard after one of its most famous — 1990 – Macon, Ga., names Little Richard Boulevard after one of its most famous rock ‘n’ roll sons. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – The Rolling Stones open yet another U.S. tour, this time in Philadelphia’s — 1981 – The Rolling Stones open yet another U.S. tour, this time in Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium. The concert is filmed by director Hal Ashby and released as Let’s Spend the [...]

1980 – Drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin is foun… — 1980 – Drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin is found dead in his bed after a drinking binge. John has left his mark on the music world as being one of [...]

1976 – They meant well. Wings perform a benefit concert in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square — 1976 – They meant well. Wings perform a benefit concert in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square to raise money to restore art damaged by the canal water. However, the 25,000-strong crowd [...]

1976 – In America, Boston’s self-titled debut enters the albums chart. It would go — 1976 – In America, Boston’s self-titled debut enters the albums chart. It would go on to become the fastest-selling debut album in chart history. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – R&B performer Jackie Wilson collapses from … — 1975 – R&B performer Jackie Wilson collapses from a stroke onstage at the Latin Casino in Camden, N.J. He spends the rest of his life in hospitals and dies in [...]

1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Rock Me Gent… — 1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Rock Me Gently,” Andy Kim. He wrote the 1969 No.1 song “Sugar, Sugar” with Jeff Barry for the Archies. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Cat Stevens releases his single “Peace Train.” The song was later covered — 1971 – Cat Stevens releases his single “Peace Train.” The song was later covered by 10,000 Maniacs, who pulled the tune from 1987′s In My Tribe after Stevens declared his [...]

1970 – Ringo Starr releases Beaucoup of Blues, his country-flavored answer to — 1970 – Ringo Starr releases Beaucoup of Blues, his country-flavored answer to Nashville Skyline. Rolling Stone‘s Charles Burton says, “No matter how morose the material gets, Ringo’s easy-going baritone assures [...]

1969 – John Lennon records “Cold Turkey,” about his battle with heroin addition, with — 1969 – John Lennon records “Cold Turkey,” about his battle with heroin addition, with a band including Eric Clapton, Beatles associate Klaus Voormann, Yoko Ono, and Ringo Starr. That evening, [...]

1968 – Rap/television/film star Will Smith (a.k.a…. — 1968 – Rap/television/film star Will Smith (a.k.a. the Fresh Prince) is born. Willard Christopher “Will” Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) Smith has been nominated for a Golden Globe, two Academy [...]

1968 – The Beatles record their vocals for “Happiness Is a Warm Gun.” — 1968 – The Beatles record their vocals for “Happiness Is a Warm Gun.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – At Abbey Road, the Beatles record “Fool on the Hill.” — 1967 – At Abbey Road, the Beatles record “Fool on the Hill.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Jimi Hendrix’s second day in London is an eventful one. He’s in bed — 1966 – Jimi Hendrix’s second day in London is an eventful one. He’s in bed with Cathy Etchingham, a 19-year-old hairdresser who has taken his fancy, when Keith Richards’ ex [...]

1965 – The Beatles’ Saturday-morning cartoon series premieres on ABC — 1965 – The Beatles’ Saturday-morning cartoon series premieres on ABC. It’s canceled in 1969. The series premiered on ABC on Saturday, September 25, [...]

1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Oh, Pretty W… — 1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Roy Orbison. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – Brian Epstein reveals that a consortium of American businessmen tried — 1964 – Brian Epstein reveals that a consortium of American businessmen tried to buy out the Beatles’ management contract. Despite an offer of 3.5 million pounds, Epstein turned them down. Be [...]

1955 – Steve Severin, bassist and keyboardist for Siouxsie & the Banshees, is born. — 1955 – Steve Severin, bassist and keyboardist for Siouxsie & the Banshees, is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – Elvis Presley performs live on “Grand Ole … — 1954 – Elvis Presley performs live on “Grand Ole Opry,” singing “Blue Moon Of Kentucky.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1945 – The Average White Band guitarist and vocalist Onnie McIntyre — 1945 – The Average White Band guitarist and vocalist Onnie McIntyre is born in Lennox Town, Scotland. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Guitarist and vocalist Gary “Jules” Alexander of the Association — 1943 – Guitarist and vocalist Gary “Jules” Alexander of the Association (“Along Comes Mary”) is born in Chattanooga, Tenn. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – John Locke, keyboardist with the acid rock band Spirit, is born — 1943 – John Locke, keyboardist with the acid rock band Spirit, is born in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1940 – Earth, Wind & Fire pianist Wade Flemons is born in Coffeyville, Kan. this — 1940 – Earth, Wind & Fire pianist Wade Flemons is born in Coffeyville, Kan. this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Joseph Russell of the a cappella group the Persuasions is born — 1939 – Joseph Russell of the a cappella group the Persuasions is born in Henderson, N.C. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1936 – Bluesman Roosevelt “Booba” Barnes is born. … — 1936 – Bluesman Roosevelt “Booba” Barnes is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1933 – Erik Darling of the Rooftop Singers (“Walk… — 1933 – Erik Darling of the Rooftop Singers (“Walk Right In”) is born in Baltimore. Be Sociable, Share! [...]