Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Last Night, Stage Collapse at Indiana State, killing Five people and injuring dozens more on This Tragic Day in Rock! — 2011 – Last Night, Stage Collapse at Indiana State, killing Five people and injuring dozens more on This Tragic Day in Rock! Singer Sara Bareilles had just left the stage [...]

2009 – George Michael was arrested and held on suspicion of driving under the influence — 2009 - George Michael was arrested and held on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs after his Land Rover was in collision with a lorry on the [...]

2008 – Lita Roza died in Liverpool, England. Had the 1953 No.1 hit with her… — 2008 - Lita Roza died in Liverpool, England. Had the 1953 No.1 hit with her version on the of Patti Page hit ‘How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?’ Roza [...]

2006 – Boy George was seen sweeping streets in New York as part of a five-day community — 2006 - Boy George was seen sweeping streets in New York as part of a five-day community service sentence. The former Culture Club frontman was moved into a fenced-off area after [...]

2005 – Edith Wong, a promoter who booked bands like the Police, X, the Go-Gos — 2005 – Edith Wong, a promoter who booked bands like the Police, X, the Go-Gos, Oingo Boingo, the Motels, the Knack, the Textones and Plane English at her string of [...]

2004 – Jam-band juggernaut Phish begins its two-da… — 2004 – Jam-band juggernaut Phish begins its two-day Coventry festival. It the band’s plan to have Coventry be their last show. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – The late funk rocker and crack smoker Rick James is cremated following — 2004 – The late funk rocker and crack smoker Rick James is cremated following a funeral in Buffalo, N.Y. Six thousand fans turn out for the service. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – The Strokes play the first Little Steven’s International Underground Garage — 2004 – The Strokes play the first Little Steven’s International Underground Garage Festival in New York. Also performing are Iggy & the Stooges, New York Dolls, Big Star, and The [...]

2004 – Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts announces he is being — 2004 – Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts announces he is being treated for throat cancer. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver frontma… — 2003 – Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland is sentenced to three years probation in Pasadena, Calif., following a May arrest on two felony drug possession charges. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – A black out hits the North East of America. Among those cancelling — 2003 – A black out hits the North East of America. Among those cancelling shows as a result are KISS and Aerosmith, Bob Dylan and Tori Amos. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – A warrant is issued for Bobby Brown’s arrest in Georgia after the ex — 2003 – A warrant is issued for Bobby Brown’s arrest in Georgia after the ex-New Edition singer fails to complete any of the conditions of his probation from a drunk [...]

2002 – Drowning Pool vocalist Dave Williams is fou… — 2002 – Drowning Pool vocalist Dave Williams is found dead in his bunk on the band’s tour bus. Despite speculation that the 30-year-old singer’s Deaths was alcohol or drug related, [...]

2001 – The 17-year-old songwriter Michelle Branch releases her debut — 2001 – The 17-year-old songwriter Michelle Branch releases her debut The Spirit Room. Helped by the hits “Everyday” and “All You Wanted,” the album peaks at No. 28 on the [...]

1999 – Chemical Brothers (featuring vocals by Noel Gallagher of Oasis) — 1999 – Chemical Brothers (featuring vocals by Noel Gallagher of Oasis) hits #9 in the UK with “Let Forever Be”. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Tracy Byrd and his band The Only Way to Fly… — 1999 – Tracy Byrd and his band The Only Way to Fly are on hand to entertain at the Republican Party of Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa. At the [...]

1999 – The Red Hot Chili Peppers perform with loca… — 1999 – The Red Hot Chili Peppers perform with local Russian artists during a free music festival in Moscow’s Red Square. The “MTV Live With the Red Hot Chili Peppers” [...]

1999 – In an unprecedented show of popularity, pop… — 1999 – In an unprecedented show of popularity, popsters Backstreet Boys sell all 765,000 tickets for their North American tour in just one day, generating an estimated $30 million. Tickets [...]

1999 – Van Halen singer Gary Cherone is given a Courage Award by — 1999 – Van Halen singer Gary Cherone is given a Courage Award by the American Life League for his stance against abortion. Gary was also the singer in Extreme with [...]

1998 – PBS premiers a documentary on Robbie Robert… — 1998 – PBS premiers a documentary on Robbie Robertson’s Indian heritage. “Robbie Robertson: Making A Noise – A Native American Musical Journey” features tracks from the artist’s current Capitol release, [...]

1998 – Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev i… — 1998 – Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev is among the 15,000 visitors at the 10th Popkomm music fair. Gorbachev promotes the album “Russian Memories” by Ermitage, a.k.a. Munich-based Hungarian composer [...]

1998 – A Virginia judge issues three arrest warran… — 1998 – A Virginia judge issues three arrest warrants for Wu-Tang member Ol’ Dirty Bastard, a.k.a. Big Baby Jesus – one for each of the scheduled court dates that the [...]

1995 – Members of the Grateful Dead meet and decid… — 1995 – Members of the Grateful Dead meet and decide to cancel their fall tour in the wake of Jerry Garcia’s Deaths. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – Brian Wilson is presented with the BMI President’s Award — 1995 – Brian Wilson is presented with the BMI President’s Award at a screening of the documentary I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – On the 25th anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival, Santana — 1994 – On the 25th anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival, Santana performs at Woodstock II. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1992 – “MTV Party to Go” Volume 2, release May 26, goes GOLD. To date, the album — 1992 – “MTV Party to Go” Volume 2, release May 26, goes GOLD. To date, the album raises of $500,000 for the AMC Cancer Research Center. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1992 – Wayne Newton files for Chapter 11 bankruptc… — 1992 – Wayne Newton files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The singer, a former owner of the Alladin Hotel in Las Vegas, is one of the highest paid performers on [...]

1992 – Tony Williams, former lead singer of the Pl… — 1992 – Tony Williams, former lead singer of the Platters, dies in Manhattan. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Tony Orlando and wife Francine’s first chil… — 1991 – Tony Orlando and wife Francine’s first child, Jenny Rose, is born in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Mambo king Tito Puente receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. — 1990 – Mambo king Tito Puente receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – Cult rock/blues guitarist Roy Buchanan hangs himself in a Fairfax — 1988 – Cult rock/blues guitarist Roy Buchanan hangs himself in a Fairfax, Va., police cell after being arrested on charges of drunkenness. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – Roy Calvert, the “resident poet” with psychedelic loonies Hawkwind — 1988 – Roy Calvert, the “resident poet” with psychedelic loonies Hawkwind, dies in Kent, England, of a heart attack. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – In an extremely bizarre case of life imitating art, a woman — 1987 – In an extremely bizarre case of life imitating art, a woman calling herself Billie Jean Jackson names Michael Jackson in a $150 million paternity suit. In his 1983 [...]

1985 – Michael Jackson outbids Paul McCartney and … — 1985 – Michael Jackson outbids Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono, at $47.5 million, to obtain catalog rights to 250 songs written by Lennon and McCartney. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – Nick Lowe’s debut solo single, “So It Goes… — 1976 – Nick Lowe’s debut solo single, “So It Goes,” is released. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – The legendary English label Stiff releases its first record, Nick Lowe’ — 1976 – The legendary English label Stiff releases its first record, Nick Lowe’s “So It Goes” single. The label’s motto was “If it ain’t Stiff, it ain’t worth a f*ck.” [...]

1971 – Rod Stewart releases “Maggie May.” It becomes his breakthroug — 1971 – Rod Stewart releases “Maggie May.” It becomes his breakthrough single in the U.S., going to No. 1. And she really does kick you in the head! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – To Diana Ross, a daughter. She gives birth to Rhonda Ross — 1971 – To Diana Ross, a daughter. She gives birth to Rhonda Ross. Berry Gordy later claims to be the father, although Ross was married to Robert Silberstein at the [...]

1971 – The great King Curtis (“Soul Twist”) is stabbed to death in New — 1971 – The great King Curtis (“Soul Twist”) is stabbed to death in New York. As well as playing for the Coasters and blowing on his own hits, Curtis led [...]

1970 – At a La Jolla, Calif., hotel, Stephen Stills is arrested and charged — 1970 – At a La Jolla, Calif., hotel, Stephen Stills is arrested and charged with cocaine possession. And here we thought David Crosby was the wild one. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “All You Need… — 1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “All You Need Is Love,” The Beatles. The group’s manager, Brian Epstein, dies of an accidental drug overdose while the song is [...]

1966 – Little Anthony & The Imperials, (Steve Van Zandt’s band), The — 1966 – Little Anthony & The Imperials, (Steve Van Zandt’s band), The Shadows and The Castiles (with Bruce Springsteen on vocals) all appeared at the Surf ‘n See Club in [...]

1966 – John Lennon can’t win. After he apologizes for his “more popular — 1966 – John Lennon can’t win. After he apologizes for his “more popular than Jesus” remarks earlier in the week, the London Catholic Herald brands his apology “arrogant.” Meanwhile, the [...]

1965 – Sonny & Cher started a three week run at No.1 on the US — 1965 – Sonny & Cher started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Got You Babe’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – The Beatles’ song ‘Help!’ tops the English albums chart — 1965 – The Beatles’ song ‘Help!’ tops the English albums chart this day in rock History! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – Beatles manager Brian Epstein approaches the marketable Ringo Starr — 1962 – Beatles manager Brian Epstein approaches the marketable Ringo Starr, currently performing at Butlin’s holiday camp in Skegness, England, about replacing the ordinary Pete Best on the drum stool. [...]

1958 – Elvis Presley’s beloved mother, Gladys, dies of a heart attack at age 42 — 1958 – Elvis Presley’s beloved mother, Gladys, dies of a heart attack at age 42. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Elvis Presley presumably sends its condolences. Be Sociable, [...]

1957 – NBC pulls the plug on the popular Nat King Cole Show after a yearlong search — 1957 – NBC pulls the plug on the popular Nat King Cole Show after a yearlong search for a sponsor. Cole says, “The advertising agencies are afraid of the dark. [...]

1956 – Responding to criticism of Elvis Presley’s licentious hillbilly music — 1956 – Responding to criticism of Elvis Presley’s licentious hillbilly music, Washington, D.C., DJ Bob Rickman starts the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Elvis Presley Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Born on this day, George Newsome, Climax Blues Band — 1947 - Born on this day, George Newsome, Climax Blues Band, (1976 UK No.10 and 1977 US No.3 single ‘Couldn’t Get It Right’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Pioneering funk bassist Larry Graham, of Sly & the Family Stone — 1946 – Pioneering funk bassist Larry Graham, of Sly & the Family Stone and his own Graham Central Station, is born in Beaumont, Texas. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Born on this day, Lionel Morton, The Four Pennies — 1942 - Born on this day, Lionel Morton, The Four Pennies, (1964 UK No.1 single ‘Juliet’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1941 – David Crosby is born David Van Courtland in… — 1941 – David Crosby is born David Van Courtland in Los Angeles. He is a member of the Byrds, then teams up with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash to form [...]

1940 – Dash Crofts of Seals & Crofts is born in Ci… — 1940 – Dash Crofts of Seals & Crofts is born in Cisco, Texas. The group has three top 10 hits, all of which reach No. 6: “Summer Breeze” in 1972, [...]