Rock History

On this day...

2007 – Rod Stewart collected his CBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace — 2007 – Rod Stewart collected his CBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. The singer who was honoured for his services to music wore a skull and crossbones tie, white [...]

2006 – Evanescence’s Amy Lee reveals that bassist William Boyd — 2006 – Evanescence’s Amy Lee reveals that bassist William Boyd is the latest musician to leave her multi-platinum band, telling their Web site. “He just can’t go through with [...]

2005 – Rapper Stat Quo and Eminem’s DJ Alchemist — 2005 – Rapper Stat Quo and Eminem’s DJ Alchemist are injured after their tour bus runs into a pair of tractor trailers outside Odessa, Missouri. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – New York Dolls bassist Arthur Kane dies in … — 2004 – New York Dolls bassist Arthur Kane dies in Los Angeles due to complications from leukemia. He is 55.  Arthur ‘Killer’ Kane, bass player with The New York Dolls, [...]

2004 – One of the few CD copies of U2′s follow-up to All — 2004 – One of the few CD copies of U2′s follow-up to All That You Can’t Leave Behind vanishes during a photo shoot in the south of France. Twenty people [...]

2003 – Prince’s new album “N.E.W.S.” goes on sale as an exclusive — 2003 – Prince’s new album “N.E.W.S.” goes on sale as an exclusive digital download. Perhaps the reason why is that it only has four tracks, each 15 minutes long.  A [...]

2002 – Oasis, Gomez, No Doubt, Starsailor, Foo Fighters, Chemical Brothers — 2002 – Oasis, Gomez, No Doubt, Starsailor, Foo Fighters, Chemical Brothers and Green Day all appeared at this years two day T In The Park Festival at Kinross, Scotland. Be Sociable, [...]

2000 – Irish act The Corrs scored their only UK No.1 hit with ‘Breathless’ taken from — 2000 – Irish act The Corrs scored their only UK No.1 hit with ‘Breathless’ taken from their third studio album In Blue. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – RealNetworks Inc. rolls out a test version … — 1998 – RealNetworks Inc. rolls out a test version of RealSystem G2, its newest streaming video and audio delivery system using technology the company hopes will become the Internet standard. [...]

1998 – It is announced that Marilyn Manson must ca… — 1998 – It is announced that Marilyn Manson must cancel appearances at seven European rock festivals due to drummer Ginger Fish’s bout with mononucleosis. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – At the All-Star baseball game in Baltimore, Rush’s —   1993 – At the All-Star baseball game in Baltimore, Rush’s Geddy Lee treats the audience to his interpretation of “Oh Canada.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – Sting rocks Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center — 1988 – Sting rocks Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center to benefit the rain forests. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – A federal judge dismisses Bette Midler’s case against — 1987 – A federal judge dismisses Bette Midler’s case against the Ford Motor Company. She had alleged that the car manufacturer deliberately used a sound-alike singer in its commercials. Be Sociable, [...]

1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “A View to a … — 1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “A View to a Kill,” Duran Duran. It is the first No. 1 hit from a James Bond movie. (Paul McCartney’s “Live [...]

1985 – George Michael sings lead vocals to Elton J… — 1985 – George Michael sings lead vocals to Elton John’s performance of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” at the Live Aid Concert. A Michael-John cover of the [...]

1985 – Cyndi Lauper’s “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enoug… — 1985 – Cyndi Lauper’s “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” reaches No. 10 on the pop chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – The Jacksons’ Victory tour reaches Dallas, where… — 1984 – The Jacksons’ Victory tour reaches Dallas, where Eddie Van Halen joins Michael Jackson on stage to perform “Beat It.” Eddie’s got a high tolerance for pain! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – Bob Dylan gives a press conference in Denmark… — 1981 – Bob Dylan gives a press conference in Denmark after having seen an interview with an imposter in a Danish newspaper. He answers questions for two hours. Is it butter [...]

1978 – The BBC bans the Sex Pistols song “No… — 1978 – The BBC bans the Sex Pistols song “No One Is Innocent.” I guess the SP were pissed off! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – New York is hit by a blackout that interrupts gigs… — 1977 – New York is hit by a blackout that interrupts gigs all over Manhattan. While Boz Scaggs packs up and goes home, the enterprising NRBQ find some flashlights and [...]

1974 – Eric Clapton releases his hit version of “I Shot the Sheriff.” —   1974 – Eric Clapton releases his hit version of “I Shot the Sheriff.”   I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy. I shot the sheriff, but I did not [...]

1973 – Queen release their self-titled debut album. — 1973 – Queen release their self-titled debut album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles host tonight’s… — 1973 – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles host tonight’s Midnight Special, welcoming the Stylistics and Rare Earth Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – David Cassidy is in the hospital to have his gall… — 1971 – David Cassidy is in the hospital to have his gall bladder removed. Ouch. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – New York’s Flushing Meadows Singer Bowl plays host to a festival… — 1969 – New York’s Flushing Meadows Singer Bowl plays host to a festival that sees sets from the Jeff Beck Group, Vanilla Fudge, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After, and Led [...]

1968 – Steppenwolf release “Born to Be Wild” to the delight… — 1968 – Steppenwolf release “Born to Be Wild” to the delight of bikers everywhere. The lyrics are responsible for the term “heavy metal.”   Words and music by Mars Bonfire Get your [...]

1968 – On the album charts, Simon & Garfunkel’s … — 1968 – On the album charts, Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends is No. 1 for the third week this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Herman’s Hermits kick off their North American tour… — 1967 – Herman’s Hermits kick off their North American tour in Calgary, Alberta. With The Who opening up for them, did they get pounded off the stage? I guess we [...]

1964 – The Supremes make the studio recording of `… — 1964 – The Supremes make the studio recording of “Come See About Me.” The song tops Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 for two weeks. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Rag Doll,” … — 1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Rag Doll,” The 4 Seasons. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – Bob Dylan signs a deal with the music publisher Witmark… — 1962 – Bob Dylan signs a deal with the music publisher Witmark. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Elvis tops the English charts for the first time… — 1957 – Elvis tops the English charts for the first time with “All Shook Up.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – Country music singer Louise Mandrell is bor… — 1954 – Country music singer Louise Mandrell is born in Corpus Christi, Texas. She performs with her older sister, Barbara Mandrell, and her husband, R.C. Bannon. She is featured in [...]

1942 – Roger McGuinn of the Byrds is born in Chica… — 1942 – Roger McGuinn of the Byrds is born in Chicago. The group have two No. 1 songs in 1965: “Mr. Tambourine Man” (one week) and “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To [...]

1942 – Drummer Stephen Jo Bladd of the J. Geils Ba… — 1942 – Drummer Stephen Jo Bladd of the J. Geils Band is born in Boston. The group’s biggest hit is “Centerfold,” which tops Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 for six weeks [...]

1939 – A young Frank Sinatra records for the first time with… — 1939 – A young Frank Sinatra records for the first time with Harry James’ band, cutting “Melancholy Mood” and “From the Bottom of My Heart.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]