Rock History

On this day...

2012 – Marshall Tucker Band guitarist Stuart Swanlund died in his sleep at home in Chicago on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2012 – Marshall Tucker Band guitarist Stuart Swanlund died in his sleep at home in Chicago on This Day in Rock Music History! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2007 – US singer, songwriter Lee Hazlewood died of cancer, in his home near — 2007 – US singer, songwriter Lee Hazlewood died of cancer, in his home near Las Vegas aged 78. Hazlewood wrote and produced many of Nancy Sinatra’s most famous [...]

2005 – Little Milton Campbell dies after suffering a stroke. The blues — 2005 – Little Milton Campbell dies after suffering a stroke. The blues singer was 71. Campbell was a popular performer during the 1960s, scoring No. 1 hits like “We’re Gonna [...]

2004 – Emo band Taking Back Sunday debut on the album chart at No — 2004 – Emo band Taking Back Sunday debut on the album chart at No. 3 with their album Where You Want to Be. The latest Now That’s What I Call [...]

2003 – Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic announces on the Eyes Adrift — 2003 – Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic announces on the Eyes Adrift Web site that he’s quitting the music business, although he will continue to play music with his band. I [...]

2003 – Jack White posts graphic video footage of his hand operation on the — 2003 – Jack White posts graphic video footage of his hand operation on the White Stripes’ Web site. The guitarist had to have three screws implanted to set the bones [...]

2002 – Bruce Springsteen scored his fifth UK No.1 album with ‘The Rising’, — 2002 – Bruce Springsteen scored his fifth UK No.1 album with ‘The Rising’, also No.1 in the US. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – The News Of The World reported that Mariah Carey had hired a private eye to spy on her ex husband — 2001 – The News Of The World reported that Mariah Carey had hired a private eye to spy on her ex husband, record boss Tommy Mottola. Investigator Jack [...]

2000 – Although not yet 18 years old, LeAnn Rimes … — 2000 – Although not yet 18 years old, LeAnn Rimes is seen barhopping _ literally _ in Touchstone Pictures’ “Coyote Ugly.” Rimes makes a cameo appearance as herself, singing the [...]

1999 – Stymied at every level in court, the nation… — 1999 – Stymied at every level in court, the nation’s leading record labels, through the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), drop all litigation against Diamond Multimedia, makers of the [...]

1998 – MTV switches off its channel feed to 500,00… — 1998 – MTV switches off its channel feed to 500,000 homes in Amsterdam after network provider A2000 demands that MTV share its previously separate channel with two other operators and [...]

1996 – Icelandic performer Bjork along with Kent N… — 1996 – Icelandic performer Bjork along with Kent Nagado make a surprise performance at the Verbier Festival & Academy in Switzerland. The duo performs several songs from their “Pierrot Lunaire” [...]

1996 – Oasis played two sold out nights at Balloch Castle Country Park — 1996 – Oasis played two sold out nights at Balloch Castle Country Park, Loch Lomand, Scotland to over 80,000 fans. Oasis roadie James Hunter was crushed to death [...]

1994 – Herman’s Hermit Derek Leckenby (he played guitar) dies at age 51. — 1994 – Herman’s Hermit Derek Leckenby (he played guitar) dies at age 51. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Mariah Carey’s started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1990 – Mariah Carey’s started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Vision Of Love’, her debut release. A No.9 hit in the [...]

1990 – During a US tour Janet Jackson collapsed on stage at a show in St Louis, — 1990 – During a US tour Janet Jackson collapsed on stage at a show in St Louis, suffering from an inner ear infection. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Some dastardly fiend steals $250,000 of New Kids on the — 1990 – Some dastardly fiend steals $250,000 of New Kids on the Block merchandise in Montreal. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – Prince started a 24 week run at the top of the US album charts — 1984 – Prince started a 24 week run at the top of the US album charts with ‘Purple Rain’, it went on to sell over 10 million copies. Be Sociable, [...]

1984 – Genesis drummer and solo artist Phil Collins marries Jill Tavelman — 1984 – Genesis drummer and solo artist Phil Collins marries Jill Tavelman. At the reception, Collins “jams” with Eric Clapton and Robert Plant. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – Schizophrenic novelty act Wild Man Fischer decides to — 1982 – Schizophrenic novelty act Wild Man Fischer decides to rejoin the music business a day after announcing his retirement. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – John Lennon began recording what would become his final album — 1980 – John Lennon began recording what would become his final album ‘Double Fantasy’ at The Hit Factory, New York. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Pink Floyd kick off five nights of the Wall tour at London — 1980 – Pink Floyd kick off five nights of the Wall tour at London’s Earls Court. During the ambitious show, a giant wall is built across the stage between the [...]

1979 – Some 20,000 people attend a benefit in Inglewood, Calif., for the family — 1979 – Some 20,000 people attend a benefit in Inglewood, Calif., for the family of the late Lowell George. Among those paying tribute to the Little Feat frontman are Linda [...]

1979 – Led Zeppelin play to 120,000 people at Knebworth Park in England — 1979 – Led Zeppelin play to 120,000 people at Knebworth Park in England. It’s their first concert in the U.K. in four years. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant and his family are hospitalized — 1975 – Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant and his family are hospitalized after a car crash on the Greek island of Rhodes. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Rapper Yo Yo, who showed she could hold her own with Ice Cube — 1971 – Rapper Yo Yo, who showed she could hold her own with Ice Cube on “It’s a Man’s World,” is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – The Medicine Ball Caravan touring festival, featuring headliners — 1970 – The Medicine Ball Caravan touring festival, featuring headliners the Grateful Dead, plays its first date – in San Francisco, of course. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – After falling asleep on a woman’s porch in Los Angeles, Jim Morrison — 1970 – After falling asleep on a woman’s porch in Los Angeles, Jim Morrison is arrested for public drunkenness. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – The two day Newport Pop Festival took place in California with Canned — 1968 – The two day Newport Pop Festival took place in California with Canned Heat, Sonny & Cher, Steppenwolf, The Byrds, The Grateful Dead, Tiny Tim, Iron [...]

1967 – A female Monkees fan stowed away on the bands plane — 1967 – A female Monkees fan stowed away on the bands plane between shows in Minneapolis and St Louis. The girl’s father threatened to bring charges for transporting [...]

1966 – The Troggs were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘With A Girl Like — 1966 – The Troggs were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘With A Girl Like You’, the group’s only UK No.1 single. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Several American radio stations pull Beatles records from their — 1966 – Several American radio stations pull Beatles records from their playlists following John Lennon’s “more popular than Jesus” comment. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – Bob Dylan completes recording Highway 61 Revisited after — 1965 – Bob Dylan completes recording Highway 61 Revisited after laying down “Desolation Row” and “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “A Hard Day’s… — 1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “A Hard Day’s Night,” The Beatles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – The Beatles appeared at the Queen’s Theatre in Blackpool. So many — 1963 – The Beatles appeared at the Queen’s Theatre in Blackpool. So many fans crowded around the theatre, blocking every entrance, that The Beatles had to go through a construction [...]

1962 – A Flock of Seagulls guitarist Paul Reynolds is born — 1962 – A Flock of Seagulls guitarist Paul Reynolds is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – The first ever Chart Toppers Hot 100 chart … — 1958 – The first ever Chart Toppers Hot 100 chart appears. The number one song is Ricky Nelson’s “Poor Little Fool.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Ian Broudie was first a face in the Liverpool punk scene — 1958 – Ian Broudie was first a face in the Liverpool punk scene, went on to produce some crucial Fall albums, and then became one of England’s biggest acts as [...]

1958 – The great “Chantilly Lace” by the Big Bopper enters the top — 1958 – The great “Chantilly Lace” by the Big Bopper enters the top 40. It would later go to No. 6. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – The Everly Brothers appear on TV’s “Ed Sul… — 1957 – The Everly Brothers appear on TV’s “Ed Sullivan Show,” singing “Bye Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Reggae horn player Dean Fraser is born in Kingston, Jamaica — 1957 – Reggae horn player Dean Fraser is born in Kingston, Jamaica. He’s blown with everyone from Bob Marley to Buju Banton. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sh-Boom,” T… — 1954 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sh-Boom,” The Crew-Cuts. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Born on this day, Paul Layton, The New Seekers, (1972 UK No.1 single — 1947 – Born on this day, Paul Layton, The New Seekers, (1972 UK No.1 single ‘I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Krautrockfuhrer Klaus Schulze, who’s played with everyone from Tangerine — 1947 – Krautrockfuhrer Klaus Schulze, who’s played with everyone from Tangerine Dream to Ash Ra Tempel, is born in Berlin. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Swinging on … — 1944 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Swinging on a Star,” Bing Crosby. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Born on this day, David Carr, keyboards, The Fortunes, (1965 UK No.2 — 1943 – Born on this day, David Carr, keyboards, The Fortunes, (1965 UK No.2 & US No.7 single ‘You’ve Got Your Troubles’) Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1940 – Born on this day, Larry Knechtel, guitar, Keyboards, Bread — 1940 – Born on this day, Larry Knechtel, guitar, Keyboards, Bread, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.5 single ‘Make It With You’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1936 – Singer Elsbeary Hobbs is born. … — 1936 – Singer Elsbeary Hobbs is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1901 – Trumpeter Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong is bo… — 1901 – Trumpeter Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong is born in New Orleans. He wins a Grammy in 1965 as Best Male Vocal Performance for “Hello Dolly,” a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in [...]