1985 – Rick Nelson dies in an airplane crash near DeKalb, Texas.While on that tour, on his way to a New Year’s Eve concert in Dallas, Texas, he died in a plane crash in De Kalb, Texas. Nelson was buried in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. The last song he sang on stage before his death was Buddy Holly’s “Rave On”.
Rumors that drug use among the passengers caused the crash frequently resurface, but the original NTSB investigation long ago stated that the crash was probably due to mechanical problems. An examination indicated the fire originated in the right hand side of the aft cabin area at or near the floor line. The ignition and fuel sources could not be determined, although many believe that the most likely cause was a defective cabin heater. The pilot indicated that the crew tried to turn on the cabin heater repeatedly shortly before the fire occurred, but that it failed to respond. After the fire, the access panel to the heater compartment was found unlatched. The theory is supported by records that showed that DC-3s in general, and this aircraft in particular, had a previous history of problems with the cabin heaters.
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- 2013 – “Two-time GRAMMY® winner Jeff Hanneman from the band “Slayer” died on This Day in Rock Music and Metal History!
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On this day...
2010 – Michael Jackson Autopsy TV show is postponed… — 2010 – Michael Jackson Autopsy TV show is postponed… LOS ANGELES – Discovery Channel International has indefinitely postponed the broadcast of a show purporting to re-enact Michael Jackson’s autopsy, the [...]
2009 – Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi from Status Quo were both appointed — 2009 – Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi from Status Quo were both appointed OBEs for services to music and charity. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
2003 – “Torn” singer Natalie Imbruglia marries Silverchair’s Daniel — 2003 – “Torn” singer Natalie Imbruglia marries Silverchair’s Daniel Johns in a secret ceremony at a resort on Australia’s northeastern coast, according to reports. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
2006 – George Michael was paid a reported £1.5m for an hour’s concert at a Russian — 2006 – George Michael was paid a reported £1.5m for an hour’s concert at a Russian billionaire’s New Year party. The unnamed businessman paid for Michael to entertain [...]
2005 – The John Lennon song Imagine was voted the nations favourite — 2005 – The John Lennon song Imagine was voted the nations favourite song a quarter of a century after his death. A UK radio station conducted the [...]
2004 – Punk band The Vandals perform a New Year’s Eve show to the 3rd — 2004 – Punk band The Vandals perform a New Year’s Eve show to the 3rd Brigade of the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division inside Baghdad’s Green Zone. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
2004 – The Who’s Roger Daltrey is made a Commander of the British — 2004 – The Who’s Roger Daltrey is made a Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music and charity work. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
2003 – Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson is arrested for allegedly assaulting — 2003 – Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson is arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and drunken violent behavior at a New Year’s Eve party at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel [...]
2003 – Ozzy Osbourne’s son from his first marriage, Louis Osbourne — 2003 – Ozzy Osbourne’s son from his first marriage, Louis Osbourne, marries Louise Lennon (no relation to John) in Ireland. Ozzy is unable to attend, as he’s recuperating from a [...]
2003 – OutKast return to the top of the US album charts with Speakerboxxx/T — 2003 – OutKast return to the top of the US album charts with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The highest new entry is Juvenile’s Juve the Great, in at No. 32. Be Sociable, [...]
2003 – The White Stripes and the Flaming Lips play a New — 2003 – The White Stripes and the Flaming Lips play a New Year’s Eve gig in Chicago. At midnight, both bands jam on the Stripes’ “We’re Going to Be Friends.” Be [...]
2003 – The Strokes and their crusty Southern pals Kings of Leon play — 2003 – The Strokes and their crusty Southern pals Kings of Leon play a New Year’s Eve show in Las Vegas’ Cox Pavilion. The band manage to stumble through “Auld [...]
2003 – Scottish punk/funkers Franz Ferdinand see in the New Year with a gig — 2003 – Scottish punk/funkers Franz Ferdinand see in the New Year with a gig in a pal’s Edinburgh apartment after their Hogmanay show with the Coral and Erasure is cancelled [...]
2003 – The New York Times alleges Michael Jackson was paid $1 million — 2003 – The New York Times alleges Michael Jackson was paid $1 million by CBS for his 60 Minutes interview about child abuse charges, as well as an entertainment special [...]
2003 – Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Elton John and Kiss perform on Dick — 2003 – Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Elton John and Kiss perform on Dick Clark’s 32nd annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Newlyweds Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey join the ageless TV impresario [...]
2003 – The coroner investigating the death of Elliott Smith says he — 2003 – The coroner investigating the death of Elliott Smith says he is unable to ascertain whether the “Miss Misery” songwriter committed suicide. Smith was found dead earlier this year [...]
2003 – They used to call him “God,” but now you can call him “Eric — 2003 – They used to call him “God,” but now you can call him “Eric Clapton CBE.” The Cream guitarist and The Kinks’ Ray Davies are both made Commanders of [...]
2003 – Kevin MacMichael, guitarist with Cutting Crew died of lung cancer — 2003 – Kevin MacMichael, guitarist with Cutting Crew died of lung cancer aged 51. (1987 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single ‘I Just Died In Your Arms [...]
2002 – Welsh bass-baritone vocalist Bryn Terfel… — Welsh bass-baritone vocalist Bryn Terfel and conductor Jane Glover are appointed CBEs (Commanders of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Folk [...]
2002 – Cutting Crew guitarist Kevin Macmichael dies… — 2002 – Cutting Crew guitarist Kevin Macmichael dies after a battle with lung cancer. He is 51. Macmichael formed Cutting Crew in 1985 with English vocalist Nick Van [...]
2002 – Welsh bass-baritone vocalist Bryn Terfel an… — 2002 – Welsh bass-baritone vocalist Bryn Terfel and conductor Jane Glover are appointed CBEs (Commanders of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Folk [...]
2002 – Cutting Crew guitarist Kevin Macmichael die… — 2002 – Cutting Crew guitarist Kevin Macmichael dies after a battle with lung cancer. He is 51. Macmichael formed Cutting Crew in 1985 with English vocalist Nick Van Eede, and [...]
2000 – Eddy Shaver, a talented guitarist and son… — 2000 – Eddy Shaver, a talented guitarist and son of Texas singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, dies in his sleep while at home in Waco, Texas. Shaver, 38, played [...]
2000 – Country guitarist Eddy Shaver dies in his sleep after a suspected h — 2000 – Country guitarist Eddy Shaver dies in his sleep after a suspected heroin overdose in Waco, Texas. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
2000 – Eddy Shaver, a talented guitarist and son o… — 2000 – Eddy Shaver, a talented guitarist and son of Texas singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, dies in his sleep while at home in Waco, Texas. Shaver, 38, played guitar with [...]
2000 – Country Music Hall of Fame member Kitty Wel… — 2000 – Country Music Hall of Fame member Kitty Wells, 81, and her husband, Johnny Wright, 86, perform their farewell show in Nashville. Appearing at the Nashville Night Life Club, [...]
1999 – John Fogerty sues his lawyer. He alleges that he was provided — 1999 – John Fogerty sues his lawyer. He alleges that he was provided with incompetent legal advice during a 1985 copyright infringement lawsuit during which he was accused of plagiarizing [...]
1997 – Country music pianist Floyd Cramer dies aft… — 1997 – Country music pianist Floyd Cramer dies after a six-month battle with cancer. He is 64. His biggest hit was “Last Date,” which reached No. 2 on the Chart [...]
1996 – Paul McCartney is awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II. — 1996 – Paul McCartney is awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1995 – Barbra Streisand’s video of “Barbra – The … — 1995 – Barbra Streisand’s video of “Barbra – The Concert” is ranked the year’s top-selling music video by Chart Toppers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1992 – Keith Richards and his X-Pensive Winos headline at New York’s — 1992 – Keith Richards and his X-Pensive Winos headline at New York’s Academy, with Pearl Jam in support. The Rolling Stones themselves are currently negotiating a $30 million advance on [...]
1991 – Guns N’ Roses play a New Year’s Eve show at the Joe — 1991 – Guns N’ Roses play a New Year’s Eve show at the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1986 – Guests Gary Hart and Donna Rice meet… — 1986 – Guests Gary Hart and Donna Rice meet each other at Eagles singer/songwriter Don Henley’s birthday party. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1986 – Guests Gary Hart and Donna Rice meet each o… — 1986 – Guests Gary Hart and Donna Rice meet each other at Eagles singer/songwriter Don Henley’s Birthdays party. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1982 – Max’s Kansas City, a longtime hangout for the Andy — 1982 – Max’s Kansas City, a longtime hangout for the Andy Warhol crowd, closes its doors in New York. Devo and Bruce Springsteen performed some of their earliest concerts at [...]
1985 – Teen idol and country artist Rick Nelson dies in a — 1985 – Teen idol and country artist Rick Nelson dies in a plane crash with his fiance. The pair were on their way to a New Year’s Eve concert in [...]
1985 – The greatest story in rock never told begins as Echo & the — 1985 – The greatest story in rock never told begins as Echo & the Bunnymen drummer Pete DeFreitas decides to form the Sex Gods. He later went to New Orleans, [...]
1985 – Rick Nelson dies in an airplane crash near … — 1985 – Rick Nelson dies in an airplane crash near DeKalb, Texas. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1982 – The E Street Band’s guitarist Miami/Little Steven — 1982 – The E Street Band’s guitarist Miami/Little Steven Van Zandt marries Maureen Santora in Asbury Park, N.J. His boss Bruce Springsteen is the best man. Little Richard, who conducted [...]
1979 – Jefferson Starship performs a New Year’s show at San — 1979 – Jefferson Starship performs a New Year’s show at San Francisco’s X nightclub that is broadcast on radio worldwide. Those poor Afghans. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1978 – Bauhaus gives its debut performance in… — 1978 – Bauhaus gives its debut performance in Wellingborough, England. Bauhaus are an English rock band formed in Northampton in 1978 by Peter Murphy (vocals), Daniel Ash (guitar), Kevin Haskins [...]
1978 – San Francisco’s Winterland Theater closes its doors after — 1978 – San Francisco’s Winterland Theater closes its doors after a farewell performance by the Grateful Dead and the Blues Brothers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1978 – Bauhaus gives its debut performance in Well… — 1978 – Bauhaus gives its debut performance in Wellingborough, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1976 – The Cars give their debut performance at… — 1976 – The Cars give their debut performance at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, N.H. The Cars were an American rock band that emerged from the early punk scene [...]
1976 – The Cars give their debut performance at Pe… — 1976 – The Cars give their debut performance at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, N.H. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1975 – Casablanca Records throws a single release party for — 1975 – Casablanca Records throws a single release party for Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You Baby” on her 23rd birthday. Casablanca head Neil Bogart orders a Los Angeles bakery [...]
1974 – A document signed by all the Beatles confirms the — 1974 – A document signed by all the Beatles confirms the dissolution of their partnership. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1974 – Ron Wood denies reports that he will join the Rolling — 1974 – Ron Wood denies reports that he will join the Rolling Stones as a replacement for the recently departed Mick Taylor. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1973 – Having only recorded three tracks, Pink Floyd abandon — 1973 – Having only recorded three tracks, Pink Floyd abandon their idea to make an album using only household objects and settle for recording Wish You Were Here instead. Be Sociable, [...]
1973 – New Kids on the Block’s Joey McIntyre is born in — 1973 – New Kids on the Block’s Joey McIntyre is born in Needham, Mass. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1972 – Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block is born… — 1972 – Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block is born. He is the youngest member of the pop group from Boston. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1972 – Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block is bo… — 1972 – Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block is born. He is the youngest member of the pop group from Boston. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1971 – Bob Dylan makes a special appearance at the Band’s — 1971 – Bob Dylan makes a special appearance at the Band’s New Year’s Eve concert at the New York Academy of Music, performing “Down In The Flood,” “When I Paint [...]
1971 – A young Stevie Ray Vaughan resolves to leave high — 1971 – A young Stevie Ray Vaughan resolves to leave high school and move to Austin with his band Blackbird. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1971 – Salsa pioneer and Latin music composer Arsenio — 1971 – Salsa pioneer and Latin music composer Arsenio Rodriguez dies of pneumonia in Los Angeles. His fans knew him as “El Ciego Maravilloso” after a horse kick left him [...]
1970 – Paul McCartney files suit against John Lennon, Ringo Starr — 1970 – Paul McCartney files suit against John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison as the Beatles Co., effectively ending the band. Lennon tells the press that McCartney wanted to [...]
1970 – December 31 : The Beatles split up on this day in rock history! — 1970 – December 31 : The Beatles split up on this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1969 – BBC television broadcast the program Man of the Decade, — 1969 – BBC television broadcast the program Man of the Decade, who is … John Lennon! Rolling Stone names Lennon its man of the year, while Lennon himself admits to [...]
1969 – Jimi Hendrix unveils his new group Band of Gypsys at New York — 1969 – Jimi Hendrix unveils his new group Band of Gypsys at New York’s Fillmore East. The concert, featuring the rhythm section of Billy Cox and Buddy Miles backing Hendrix, [...]
1968 – Vanilla Fudge and an unknown Led Zeppelin perform — 1968 – Vanilla Fudge and an unknown Led Zeppelin perform a New Year’s Eve gig in Portland, Ore. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1967 – Brill Building songwriter Bert Berns, who penned “Twist — 1967 – Brill Building songwriter Bert Berns, who penned “Twist and Shout” and “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” dies of a heart attack. As the head of the Bang! label, [...]
1967 – The Beatles see in the New Year at a party held by singer — 1967 – The Beatles see in the New Year at a party held by singer Cilla Black in London. Following a bizarre custom from the North of England, Ringo Starr [...]
1966 – George Harrison’s New Year’s plans are foiled when — 1966 – George Harrison’s New Year’s plans are foiled when London nightclub Annabel’s bars him from admission because he’s not wearing a tie. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1961 – Janis Joplin has her first singing engagement at — 1961 – Janis Joplin has her first singing engagement at Beaumont, Texas’ Halfway House. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1965 – John Lennon’s father Alfred releases a U.K. single today, — 1965 – John Lennon’s father Alfred releases a U.K. single today, titled “That’s My Life (My Love And My Home).” Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1965 – The Beatles begin a European tour in Paris… — 1965 – The Beatles begin a European tour in Paris. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1961 – The Beach Boys give their debut… — 1961 – The Beach Boys give their debut performance at a Richie Valens memorial concert in Long Beach, Calif. They earn $300. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1961 – The Pendletons perform their first gig under their new — 1961 – The Pendletons perform their first gig under their new name, the Beach Boys. The vocal group appears at the Ritchie Valens Memorial Concert in Long Beach, Calif. Be Sociable, [...]
1961 – The Beach Boys give their debut performance… — 1961 – The Beach Boys give their debut performance at a Richie Valens memorial concert in Long Beach, Calif. They earn $300. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1960 – The Replacements’ prime mover Paul Westerberg — 1960 – The Replacements’ prime mover Paul Westerberg is born in Minneapolis. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1955 – No. 1 in the country singles chart today, Elvis Presley — 1955 – No. 1 in the country singles chart today, Elvis Presley’s “I Forgot to Remember to Forget.” Billboard also publishes its annual Honor Roll of Hits. “Unchained Melody” tops [...]
1951 – Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is born — 1951 – Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is born in Colorado Springs, Colo. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1951 – K.C. & the Sunshine Band percussionist Fermin — 1951 – K.C. & the Sunshine Band percussionist Fermin Goytisolo is born in Havana. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1948 – Donna Summer is born in Boston. — 1948 – Donna Summer is born in Boston. Her biggest-selling album is the 1979 million-selling release “Bad Girls” which tops the charts for seven weeks. It includes the [...]
1948 – Donna Summer is born in Boston as Donna Gaines. — 1948 – Donna Summer is born in Boston as Donna Gaines. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1948 – Donna Summer is born in Boston. Her biggest… — 1948 – Donna Summer is born in Boston. Her biggest-selling album is the 1979 millionselling release “Bad Girls” which tops the charts for seven weeks. It includes the No. 1 [...]
1947 – Celtic folk singer June Tabor is born in Warwick, England. — 1947 – Celtic folk singer June Tabor is born in Warwick, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1947 – The Guess Who’s singer Burton Cummings is born in — 1947 – The Guess Who’s singer Burton Cummings is born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1943 – Kinks bassist Peter Quaife is born in Tavistock, England. — 1943 – Kinks bassist Peter Quaife is born in Tavistock, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
1943 – John Denver is born in Roswell, N.M. as John — 1943 – John Denver is born in Roswell, N.M. as John Henry Deutchendorf. Be Sociable, Share! [...]
Historic Bands/Artists that Rock!
Rock Guitarists of Note!
- Angus Young
- Blues Saraceno
- Brian May
- Carlos Santana
- Doug Doppler
- Eric Clapton
- George Harrison
- Jeff Beck
- Jimi Hendrix
- Jimmy Page
- Joe Robinson
- Joe Satriani
- Neal Schon
- Nuno Bettencourt
- Peter Frampton
- Ritchie Blackmore
- Robby Krieger
- Slash
- Steve Lukather
- Tom Scholz
- Vai.com (Steve Vai)
- Van Halen
- Yngwie Malmsteen
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