Rock History

On this day...

2008 – Total Guitar magazine voted Celine Dion’s rendition of the AC/DC — 2008 – Total Guitar magazine voted Celine Dion’s rendition of the AC/DC track ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ as the world’s worst cover version ever, the magazines editor Stephen [...]

2006 – Producer Dallas Austin is jailed in Dubai for alleged drugs… — 2006 – Producer Dallas Austin is jailed in Dubai for alleged drugs offenses. The hit-maker – who has crafted songs for TLC, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, and Michael Jackson [...]

1970 – Paul McCartney: McCartney US LP is no. 1… — 1970 – Paul McCartney: McCartney US LP is no. 1 chart topper this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Gnarls Barkley top the U.K. singles chart for a staggering ninth… — 2006 – Gnarls Barkley top the U.K. singles chart for a staggering ninth week with “Crazy.” The top album is Red Hot Chili Peppers with Stadium Arcadium. Be Sociable, [...]

2008- Coldplay appear on Comedy Centrals Daily show… — 2008- Coldplay appear on Comedy Centrals Daily show, having the the number one album in the US. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – California punk trio Supernova sue the makers… — 2006 – California punk trio Supernova sue the makers of the CBS reality show Rock Star: Supernova, alleging their name has been unfairly appropriated for the singer-less Tommy Lee/Jason [...]

2006 – Guitar legend Johnny Jenkins, who worked wi… — 2006 – Guitar legend Johnny Jenkins, who worked with Otis Redding in the early days, dies today. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – 50 Cent and Jermaine Dupri are named songwr… — 2006 – 50 Cent and Jermaine Dupri are named songwriters of the year at the 19th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in [...]

2006 – Boston Metallica wannabes Godsmack top the U.S… — 2006 – Boston Metallica wannabes Godsmack top the U.S. album charts with their fourth album, cleverly titled IV. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – Seven years after his Deaths, rap legend 2P… — 2005 – Seven years after his Deaths, rap legend TuPac has the first U.K. No. 1 single of his career, as “Ghetto Gospel” featuring Elton John debuts at the top. Be [...]

2005 – Nine Inch Nails close the Coachella Festival in California… — 2005 – Nine Inch Nails close the Coachella Festival in California. Other performers during the day included New Order, The Bravery and Mos Def. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – UK prog rockers Muse play the biggest show of thei…. — 2004 – UK prog rockers Muse play the biggest show of their careers when they headline the Sunday night at Glastonbury Festival. The gig is marred by tragedy when drummer [...]

2004 – Ex-Smiths singer Morrissey kicks off his live solo — 2004 – Ex-Smiths singer Morrissey kicks off his live solo comeback with the first of five sold-out shows at New York’s Apollo Theatre. His set includes the Smiths [...]

2004 – Willie Nelson is joined by Bob Dylan, Keith Richards… — 2004 – Willie Nelson is joined by Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Green, Kid Rock, Toby Keith and Merle Haggard at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre to [...]

2004 – Elvin Ray Jones, a jazz drummer who played with John Coltrane — 2004 – Elvin Ray Jones, a jazz drummer who played with John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, dies of heart failure in Englewood, N.J. He was 76. [...]

2003 – Rock behemoths Deep Purple are deluged… — 2003 – Rock behemoths Deep Purple are deluged with emails after announcing their new album will be called Bananas. Fans are irate over the ridiculous name. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – 50 Cent and B2K cash in as the big winners … — 2003 – 50 Cent and B2K cash in as the big winners at the third annual BET Awards. Each took two honors home from the three-hour event, hosted by actress/comedian [...]

2000 – Eminem is scheduled to give his deposition in a… — 2000 – Eminem is scheduled to give his deposition in a $10 million civil suit filed by his mother, Deborah Mathers-Briggs. She claims her rapping son has insulted her [...]

2000 – Oasis release a statement saying that songwriter Noel Gallagher… — 2000 – Oasis release a statement saying that songwriter Noel Gallagher has left the band’s European tour. It’s believed he had fought with brother and bandmate Liam over [...]

1999 – Sugar Ray kicks off the 1999 Special Olympi… — 1999 – Sugar Ray kicks off the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games with a performance during the Opening Ceremonies. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Marcy Playground debuts the video for its c… — 1998 – Marcy Playground debuts the video for its current single, “Saint Joe On The Schoolbus,” on the Web. The clip, directed by British production team Hammer and Tongs, premieres [...]

1998 – Italian director Stefano Salvati sues Madon… — 1998 – Italian director Stefano Salvati sues Madonna, claiming that her “Ray of Light” video is stolen from a clip he shot in 1994 for local pop star Biagio Antonacci. Be [...]

1998 – D.O.A. (Dancemusic Organization of America)… — 1998 – D.O.A. (Dancemusic Organization of America) hosts a party to promote dance music in America. Artists performing at New York’s Webster Hall include: Cynthia, Kimara Lovelace, Juzt Two Bros. [...]

1995 – This year’s Polar Music Prize winner is Elton John and Mstislav… — 1995 – This year’s Polar Music Prize winner is Elton John and Mstislav Rostropovich. The balladeer and the legendary cellist share Sweden’s most prestigious music award. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – VH1 holds its first VH1 Honors special. — 1994 – VH1 holds its first VH1 Honors special. Featured artists are… Melissa Etheridge   Kenny G   Michael Bolton   James Taylor   Garth Brooks [...]

1993 – Isley Brother Ron Isley marries Angela Winbush. — 1993 – Isley Brother Ron Isley marries Angela Winbush. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Dirty Diana,… — 1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Dirty Diana,” Michael Jackson. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – MTV chooses Kevin Seal as an MTV VJ from more… — 1987 – MTV chooses Kevin Seal as an MTV VJ from more than 1250 college students who entered MTV’s nationwide campus VJ search. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – The Rolling Stones release Emotional Rescue… — 1980 – The Rolling Stones release Emotional Rescue and hold a party at New York’s Danceteria. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Elvis Presley’s final concert. Market Squar… — 1977 – Elvis Presley’s final concert. Market Square Arena, Indianapolis. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Eagles: Hotel California US LP is no. 1… — 1977 – Eagles: Hotel California US LP is no. 1 chart topper this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Eagles: Hotel California US LP is no. 1 chart topper — 1977 – Eagles: Hotel California US LP is no. 1 chart topper this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – Legendary ’70s group Roxy Music announce… — 1976 – Legendary ’70s group Roxy Music announce they will undergo a “trial separation.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Sonny and Cher’s divorce is made final… — 1975 – Sonny and Cher’s divorce is made final. Cher marries Gregg Allman four days later. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Bob Dylan officially releases the long-bootlegged… — 1975 – Bob Dylan officially releases the long-bootlegged Basement Tapes. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Singer Marsha Hunt files a paternity suit against Mick Jagger… — 1973 – Singer Marsha Hunt files a paternity suit against Mick Jagger, claiming he is the father of her 2-year-old daughter. She later loses the case. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Police raid Keith Richards’ home in Cheyne Walk… — 1973 – Police raid Keith Richards’ home in Cheyne Walk, London. They discover guns, ammunition, Mandrax, and Chinese heroin. The Rolling Stones guitarist is arrested with his girlfriend Anita [...]

1970 – Guess Who: American Woman US 45… — 1970 – Guess Who: American Woman US 45 is no. 1 chart topper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – Beatles open their Apple Corporation… — 1968 – Beatles open their Apple Corporation office at 95 Wigmore Street, London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Windy,” The… — 1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Windy,” The Association. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – At the height of the “Summer of Love,” the Mothers… — 1967 – At the height of the “Summer of Love,” the Mothers of Invention release ‘Absolutely Free,’ a dark-themed album from the anti-establishment mind of bandleader Frank Zappa. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – In the midst of a German tour, the Beatles make… — 1966 – In the midst of a German tour, the Beatles make a long-awaited return to Hamburg, the city where they got their start performing in local clubs. This [...]

1966 – The Rolling Stones play San Francisco’s Cow… — 1966 – The Rolling Stones play San Francisco’s Cow Palace, with Jefferson Airplane and Sopwith Camel opening. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – The Byrds go to No. 1 with “Mr. Tambourine Man.” — 1965 – The Byrds go to No. 1 with “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Bob Dylan wrote this classic. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – Moody Blues is formed by Mike Pinder! — 1964 – Moody Blues  is formed by Mike Pinder! Famous for the song “Nights in white Satin”. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – After it was leaked to radio, United Artists… — 1964 – After it was leaked to radio, United Artists Records releases A Hard Day’s Night, the first Beatles album made up of their own compositions. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – George Michael (Georgios Kyriacos Panayioto… — 1963 – George Michael (Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou) of Wham! is born in Finchley, London. He scores his biggest hit as a solo artist in 1987 with “Faith,” a million-selling No. [...]

1963 – Lennon and McCartney write “She Loves… — 1963 – Lennon and McCartney write “She Loves You” in a hotel room in Newcastle, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Singer Patti Smyth (“Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough”) is born… — 1957 – <!-- colorize(3); //--> Singer Patti Smyth (“Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough”) is born in New York this day in rock history. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – Chris Isaak, author and singer of “Wicked Game — 1956 – Chris Isaak, author and singer of “Wicked Game,” is born in Stockton, Calif. this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – In Look magazine today, clarinet-tootling god Benny… — 1956 – In Look magazine today, clarinet-tootling god Benny Goodman is asked his opinion on rock music. “I guess it’s okay, man,” he says. “At least it has [...]

1955 – Elvis Presley plays 3 nights at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi on This Day in Rock! — 1955 – Elvis Presley plays 3 nights at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi on This Day in Rock! Elvis performed the 1st of 3 nights with Scotty Moore [...]

1955 – The Clash’s Mick Jones is born… — 1955 – The Clash’s Mick Jones is born in London this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1955 – “Rock Around the Clock” hit-makers Bill Haley… — 1955 – “Rock Around the Clock” hit-makers Bill Haley & the Comets have sold 3 million records in the last 13 months, according to the Decca label. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Chi-Baba, Ch… — 1947 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba,” Perry Como. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Billy Davis Jr. of the Fifth Dimension is born in St. Louis. — 1943 – Billy Davis Jr. of the Fifth Dimension is born in St. Louis. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Keyboardist with Van Morrison and a British… — 1943 – Keyboardist with Van Morrison and a British chart-topper with his own “Yeh Yeh,” Georgie Fame is born in Lancashire, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Larry Taylor, bassist with Canned Heat, is born… — 1942 – Larry Taylor, bassist with Canned Heat, is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1937 – The Hindenburg airship crashes in Lakehurst, N.J., killing 3… — 1937 – The Hindenburg airship crashes in Lakehurst, N.J., killing 36 people. A photograph of the disaster is later used as the cover art for Led Zeppelin’s first album. Be [...]

1910 – Elvis Presley’s Manager, Colonel Tom Parker is born on This Day in Rock Music history! — 1910 – Elvis Presley’s Manager, Colonel Tom Parker is born on This Day in Rock Music history! The man that used to run a troupe of dancing chickens went to [...]