Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Lady Gaga is the queen of Marketing when she unveils in front of the Piano on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Lady Gaga is the queen of Marketing when she unveils in front of the Piano on This Day in Rock! In one clip, Gaga proves that it is [...]

2009 – An arrest warrant was issued for singer Bobby Brown after he failed to — 2009 – An arrest warrant was issued for singer Bobby Brown after he failed to appear at a court hearing involving child maintenance payments. Judge Christina Harms ordered [...]

2006 – The Smashing Pumpkins enter the studio to work on their firs — 2006 – The Smashing Pumpkins enter the studio to work on their first album since splitting in 2000 and Billy Corgan’s subsequent failure to get us interested in anything else. [...]

2000 – Boyz II Men fail to show up to sing the national anthem at the Democratic — 2000 – Boyz II Men fail to show up to sing the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. The group say it was delayed by a [...]

1999 – 97.7 HTZ-FM Interview (Van Halen) is released this day in rock. — 1999 – 97.7 HTZ-FM Interview (Van Halen) is released this day in rock. Release date: 1999-08-17 Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Carlos Santana’s star on the Hollywood Walk… — 1998 – Carlos Santana’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is unveiled near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – Depeche Mode frontman David Gahan, 33, slas… — 1995 – Depeche Mode frontman David Gahan, 33, slashes his wrists in a suicide attempt. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – Michael Jackson’s people announce that the singer is negotiating — 1993 – Michael Jackson’s people announce that the singer is negotiating to perform at two concerts in Beijing, China. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Singer Pearl Bailey dies at age 72. After s… — 1990 – Singer Pearl Bailey dies at age 72. After singing with Cootie Williams’ band, Bailey hits on Broadway with “St. Louis Woman” in 1946. Her biggest musical hit is [...]

1990 – Classic vocalist Pearl Bailey (“Takes Two to Tango”) dies in Philadelphia — 1990 – Classic vocalist Pearl Bailey (“Takes Two to Tango”) dies in Philadelphia at age 72, from a heart attack. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Who’s That G… — 1987 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Who’s That Girl,” Madonna. It is the title song of Madonna’s third film. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – A riot between rival gangs erupts at a Run … — 1986 – A riot between rival gangs erupts at a Run DMC concert in Long Beach, Calif., seriously injuring 42 people. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – A Run-D.M.C. concert in Long Beach, Calif., also becomes a battleground — 1986 – A Run-D.M.C. concert in Long Beach, Calif., also becomes a battleground for two rival gangs and 42 people are hurt. Rap’s live rep suffers a blow and the [...]

1984 – Elton John announces he is retiring from touring. — 1984 – Elton John announces he is retiring from touring. Oldest marketing trick in the book. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Tens of thousands of fans travel to Memphis… — 1977 – Tens of thousands of fans travel to Memphis to pay tribute to Elvis Presley. President Jimmy Carter issues a tribute statement. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Born on this day, Mike Lewis, guitarist, Lostprophets, (2004 UK No.8 — Alternative-Metal band formed in the Cardiff satellite town of Pontypridd, WALES, in 1997, by drummer Ian Watkins and guitarist Mike Lewis; when drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze joined, [...]

1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Fallin’ in L… — 1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Fallin’ in Love,” Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Paul Williams of the Temptations dies at ag… — 1973 – Paul Williams of the Temptations dies at age 34. The group has four No. 1 hits by Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – The Woodstock music festival ends. … — 1969 – The Woodstock music festival ends. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Donny Wahlberg, one time member of New Kids… — 1969 – Donny Wahlberg, one time member of New Kids on the Block, is born. His younger brother is rapper/actor Marky Mark, who has a top 10 hit in 1991-92 [...]

1965 – Born on this day, Steve Gorman, drums, The Black Crowes, (1991 UK — 1965 – Born on this day, Steve Gorman, drums, The Black Crowes, (1991 UK No.39 single ‘Hard To Handle’, 1992 US No.1 & UK No.2 album ‘The Southern [...]

1962 – Born on this day, Gilby Clarke, guitarist, spent 3 years as the rhythm — 1962 – Born on this day, Gilby Clarke, guitarist, spent 3 years as the rhythm guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, replacing Izzy Stradlin in November 1991. Gilbert “Gilby” Clarke [...]

1960 – The Beatles begin their first Hamburg engagement at the Indra Club, — 1960 – The Beatles begin their first Hamburg engagement at the Indra Club, Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg, West Germany, playing the first of 48 nights at the Club. [...]

1958 – Belinda Carlisle is born. She becomes the l… — 1958 – Belinda Carlisle is born. She becomes the lead singer of the all-female group the Go-Go’s and has a solo No. 1 hit in 1987 with “Heaven Is a [...]

1955 – Elvis Presley released his first number 1 hit, ‘I Forgot to Remember to — 1955 – Elvis Presley released his first number 1 hit, ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget / Mystery Train’. It hit the top of the country charts several [...]

1950 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Goodnight Ir… — 1950 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Goodnight Irene,” Gordon Jenkins Orchestra & the Weavers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949, Born on this day, Sib Hashian, drums, Boston, (1977 UK No.22 single ‘More Than A Feeling — 1949, Born on this day, Sib Hashian, drums, Boston, (1977 UK No.22 single ‘More Than A Feeling’, 1986 US No.1 single ‘Amanda’). Pictured kneeling. Boston years Hashian joined Boston in 1975, replacing [...]