Rock History

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! [...]

1985 – Rick Nelson dies in an airplane crash near… — 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 [...]

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! [...]