Rock History

On this day...

2008 – Heath Ledger dies and mirrors death of mysterious musician… — Heath Ledger 2008 – Heath Ledger dies from suspected drug use. Reported by MTV news. Appearing at a news conference at the Venice Film Festival in September to promote the Bob Dylan biopic [...]

2004 – Ryan Adams is forced to cancel the remainde… — 2004 – Ryan Adams is forced to cancel the remainder of his European tour and upcoming North American trek when he falls from the stage during a show in Liverpool, [...]

2004 – Rascal Flatts kicks off its tour in Kalamaz… — Rascal Flatts 2004 – Rascal Flatts kicks off its tour in Kalamazoo, Mich., without Chris Cagle. Cagle is pulled off of the bill due to “extreme vocal rest” ordered by his [...]

2004 – Famed New York nightclub the Bottom Line cl… — 2004 – Famed New York nightclub the Bottom Line closes the doors forever at its Greenwich Village location. Opened nearly 30 years previously by Allan Pepper and Stanley Snadowski, the [...]

2003 – Singer R. Kelly is arrested at a Miami hote… — 2003 – Singer R. Kelly is arrested at a Miami hotel on a warrant charging him with 12 counts of possession of child pornography. The Jive artist faces similar charges [...]

2003 – Minneapolis alt-country mainstays the Jayha… — 2003 – Minneapolis alt-country mainstays the Jayhawks are forced to cancel a 13-date tour of the U.S. and a pair of shows in the U.K. when frontman Gary Louris is [...]

2002 – Nine Inch Nails makes its first ever instor… — Nine Inch Nails 2002 – Nine Inch Nails makes its first ever instore signing appearance at the Virgin Megastore in New York’s Times Square. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Hal B. Cook, a former label executive and p… — 1999 – Hal B. Cook, a former label executive and publisher of Chart Toppers Magazine, dies of a heart attack at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, Calif. He [...]

1998 – Singer Toni Braxton files for Chapter 7 pro… — Toni Braxton 1998 – Singer Toni Braxton files for Chapter 7 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles, listing liabilities of more than $1 million. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg files suit for $10 … — 1998 – Rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg files suit for $10 million in Los Angeles Superior Court against Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman, its parent Coopers & Lybrand and former Gelfand accountant [...]

1994 – Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting started a three week run at No.1 — 1994 – Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘All For Love’, a No.2 hit in the UK. [...]

1993 – Metallica kicked off their 77-date Nowhere Else To Roam world tour — 1993 – Metallica kicked off their 77-date Nowhere Else To Roam world tour at Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1992 – Mariah Carey’s stepfather went to court seeking damages, claiming — 1992 – Mariah Carey’s stepfather went to court seeking damages, claiming that he had paid for her Manhattan apartment, a car and dental work in her early years on the [...]

1988 – Faith No More made their live UK debut at Dingwalls, London — Jane's Addiction 1988 – Faith No More made their live UK debut at Dingwalls, London at the start of a 13-date tour. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – Frankie Goes To Hollywood appeared at the Glasgow Exhibition Ce — 1986 – Frankie Goes To Hollywood appeared at the Glasgow Exhibition Centre, Scotland, tickets cost £8 ($13.60). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – The new 24-hour music video network MTV started broadcasting to — 1983 – The new 24-hour music video network MTV started broadcasting to the West Coast of America after being picked up by Group W Cable, Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – A picture of John Lennon naked appears in h… — John Lennon and Yoko Ono (Two Virgins) 1981 – A picture of John Lennon naked appears in his obituary issue of Rolling Stone. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – this week’s US Top 5 singles: No.5, Rupert Holmes, ‘Escape, (The Pin — Michael Jackson 1980 – this week’s US Top 5 singles: No.5, Rupert Holmes, ‘Escape, (The Pina Colada Song)’, No.4, Smokey Robinson, ‘Crusin’, No.3, Kenny Rogers, ‘Coward Of The County’, No.2, Captain [...]

1977 – Wings went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Wings Over America — 1977 – Wings went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Wings Over America’, Paul McCartney’s sixth US No.1 after The Beatles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Stevie Wonder went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Wish’, his — 1977 – Stevie Wonder went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Wish’, his 5th US No.1, it made No.5 in the UK. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Theme from `… — 1976 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Theme from `Mahogany’ (Do You Know Where You’re Going to),” Diana Ross. A screening committee for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts [...]

1972, Don McLean’s album ‘American Pie’ started a seven week run at No.1 — 1972, Don McLean’s album ‘American Pie’ started a seven week run at No.1 in the US album chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – David Bowie ‘came out’ as bisexual during an interview in the British — 1972 – David Bowie ‘came out’ as bisexual during an interview in the British music weekly Melody Maker. Do you think?!!! He’s so Kewl and ahead of his time! Be Sociable, [...]

1970 – Steel Mill, (featuring Bruce Springsteen) opened for The Elvin Bishop — 1970 – Steel Mill, (featuring Bruce Springsteen) opened for The Elvin Bishop Band at The Matrix in San Francisco, California. Steel Mill were paid only $5 for the gig, The [...]

1969, The Beatles moved from Twickenham Film Studios to Apple studios — 1969, The Beatles moved from Twickenham Film Studios to Apple studios in London to start recording the “Get Back” LP. Billy Preston was brought into the sessions (John, Paul, and [...]

1968 – during the bands first Australian tour The Who played the first of two nights — 1968 – during the bands first Australian tour The Who played the first of two nights at Sydney Stadium with The Small Faces and Paul Jones. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – The Monkees performed live for the very first time at The Cow Palace, San Franci — 1967 – The Monkees performed live for the very first time at The Cow Palace, San Francisco to a sell-out crowd. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – The Beach Boys went into the studio to record ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice — 1966 – The Beach Boys went into the studio to record ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’, which would be the opening track on their forthcoming album ‘Pet Sounds.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – The Rolling Stones began a 16-date tour of Australia and New Zealand — 1965 – The Rolling Stones began a 16-date tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Manufactures’ Auditorium in Sydney with Roy Orbison, The Newbeats and Ray Columbus and the [...]

1964 – The Yardbirds featuring Eric Clapton appeared at The Cavern Club — 1964 – The Yardbirds featuring Eric Clapton appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – The Beatles appeared on three UK radio programs. First The Beatles — 1963 -  The Beatles appeared on three UK radio programs. First The Beatles recorded a session for the show Pop Inn at the BBC Paris studio, they then went to [...]

1963 – Gerry & the Pacemakers hold their first rec… — Gerry & the Pacemakers 1963 – Gerry & the Pacemakers hold their first recording session, producing “Away from You” and “Pretend.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1959 – alone with an acoustic guitar and tape recorder in his New York Cit — 1959 – alone with an acoustic guitar and tape recorder in his New York City apartment Buddy Holly made his last recordings, including ‘Peggy Sue Got Married’, ‘Crying, Waiting, Hoping’, [...]

1953 – Steve Perry of Journey is born. His biggest… — 1953 – Steve Perry of Journey is born. His biggest solo hit is “Oh Sherry,” which reaches No. 3 in 1984. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Meat Loaf (Marvin Lee Aday) is born in Dall… — 1946 – Meat Loaf (Marvin Lee Aday) is born in Dallas. He receives what will be his professional name from his high school football coach. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1935 – Sam Cooke is born in Clarksdale, Miss., the… — 1935 – Sam Cooke is born in Clarksdale, Miss., the son of a minister. His biggest hit is the No. 1 song “You Send Me.” He is posthumously inducted into [...]