Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Adele’s “21″ Sets a 21st-century record by topping the Billboard/SoundScan sales on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Adele’s “21″ Sets a 21st-century record by topping the Billboard/SoundScan sales on This Day in Rock! On the chart for 12 non-consecutive weeks, it logs more time at No. [...]

2005 – Mariah Carey sits atop the U.S. singles chart for a staggering 11th — 2005 – Mariah Carey sits atop the U.S. singles chart for a staggering 11th week with “We Belong Together.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Phish bassist Mike Gordon is arrested in Wa… — 2003 – Phish bassist Mike Gordon is arrested in Wantagh, N.Y., and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and trespassing in a closed area. At a concert by [...]

2002 – Bruce Springsteen started a two week run at No.1 on the US album — 2002 – Bruce Springsteen started a two week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘The Rising’, the singers fifth US No.1. Also No.1 in the UK. Be Sociable, [...]

2001 – appearing at the Ozzfest at PNC Bank Arts Centre, New Jersey, Black Sabbath — 2001 – appearing at the Ozzfest at PNC Bank Arts Centre, New Jersey, Black Sabbath, Linkin Park, Slipknot and Marilyn Manson. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Madonna gave birth to a baby boy Rocco Ritchie at The Cedars-Sinai — 2000 – Madonna gave birth to a baby boy Rocco Ritchie at The Cedars-Sinai Hospital Beverly Hills this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Four music festivals took place in Cornwall for the full solar eclips — 1999 – Four music festivals took place in Cornwall for the full solar eclipse. James, The Levellers, Van Morrison, Kula Shaker and the Happy Mondays were all appearing at various [...]

1999 – The war is over, but Kiss are still on the attack, finally getting their — 1999 – The war is over, but Kiss are still on the attack, finally getting their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – Four Elvis confidants known as “The Memphis… — 1997 – Four Elvis confidants known as “The Memphis Mafia” commemorate the 20th anniversary of the King’s passing with a webcast interview. In the chat, hosted live at http://www.natsatinc.com, Lamar [...]

1996 – Rafael Jeronym Kubelick, a former director … — 1996 – Rafael Jeronym Kubelick, a former director and conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, dies in Lucerne, Switzerland at the age of 82. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Ventures drummer Mel Taylor, who supplied the rolls in “Walk Don’t — 1996 – Ventures drummer Mel Taylor, who supplied the rolls in “Walk Don’t Run,” dies of lung cancer at age 62. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – In Belvedere, Calif., the funeral of Jerry Garcia is held at an Episcopal church. — 1995 – In Belvedere, Calif., the funeral of Jerry Garcia is held at an Episcopal church. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – At a U2 concert in London, the band is joined onstage by author Salman — 1993 – At a U2 concert in London, the band is joined onstage by author Salman Rushdie. Rushdie had been in hiding since a fatwa was declared against him by [...]

1989 – The Moscow Music Peace Festival kicks off. The two-day bill of metal — 1989 – The Moscow Music Peace Festival kicks off. The two-day bill of metal acts was corralled by manager Doc McGhee, who hopes to make a judge forget his role [...]

1986 – Monkee mania as the band’s first four LPs re-enter the — 1986 – Monkee mania as the band’s first four LPs re-enter the Billboard albums chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1985 – Simon LeBon’s yacht, Drum, capsizes whilst competing in a race. LeBon — 1985 – Simon LeBon’s yacht, Drum, capsizes whilst competing in a race. LeBon is trapped under the hull for 40 minutes before the Royal Navy rescues him. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – Ray Parker JR. started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1984 – Ray Parker JR. started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the theme from the film ‘Ghostbusters’. Parker who had been a session [...]

1982 – To Donna Summer, a daughter. Summer and husband Bruce Sudano — 1982 – To Donna Summer, a daughter. Summer and husband Bruce Sudano are the proud parents of Amada Grace Sudano. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Endless Love… — 1981 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Endless Love,” Diana Ross & Lionel Richie. The song holds onto the top spot for nine weeks, making it the most successful [...]

1979 – The Knack started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Get The Knack’. — 1979 – The Knack started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Get The Knack’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon, is admitted into a Miami — 1976 – The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon, is admitted into a Miami hospital after collapsing. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Night Ch… — 1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Night Chicago Died,” Paper Lace. The song is written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Bill Aucoin approaches Kiss after seeing them play in New York to offe — 1973 – Bill Aucoin approaches Kiss after seeing them play in New York to offer his services as manager. He also promises them a record deal, which they later make [...]

1972 – The mayor of San Antonio declares today Cheech & Chong Day. — 1972 – The mayor of San Antonio declares today Cheech & Chong Day. ‘My momma talk a too me try to tell me how live…. but I don’t listen to her [...]

1969 – Buzz is building for the young Jackson 5. Diana Ross invites 350 of her closest — 1969 – Buzz is building for the young Jackson 5. Diana Ross invites 350 of her closest friends to see the new Motown act perform a Beverly Hills, Calif., club. Be [...]

1968 – People Got To Be Free (The Rascals) was a hit this day in rock history! — 1968 – People Got To Be Free (The Rascals) was a hit this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – The Beatles release “Hey Jude,” their first single to bear the Apple imprint. — 1968 – The Beatles release “Hey Jude,” their first single to bear the Apple imprint. The single, backed with “Revolution,” goes to No. 1. In England, today marks the start [...]

1967 – appearing at this years UK Reading festival, The Small Faces, The Move, Marmalade — 1967 – appearing at this years UK Reading festival, The Small Faces, The Move, Marmalade, Paul Jones, Pink Floyd, Amen Corner, Donovan, Zoot Money, Cream, Jeff Beck, John Mayall, Peter [...]

1967 – Pink Floyd spend the day at Abbey Road Studios, where they work — 1967 – Pink Floyd spend the day at Abbey Road Studios, where they work on recording “Apples and Oranges.” The song would later become their third single. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – The Beatles arrive at Chicago’s O’Hare Airp… — 1966 – The Beatles arrive at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport to start their last tour of the United States. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – John Lennon tries to put out the fire he started when he noted that — 1966 – John Lennon tries to put out the fire he started when he noted that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus by apologizing at a televised press conference. Meanwhile, [...]

1965 – A slow day on TV as Shindig’s special guest is Sonny Bono — 1965 – A slow day on TV as Shindig’s special guest is Sonny Bono, performing “Laugh at Me.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Everybody Lo… — 1964 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Everybody Loves Somebody,” Dean Martin. The song becomes the theme song to NBC’s “The Dean Martin Show” the following year. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – The High Numbers, (later to become The Who), played at The — 1964 – The High Numbers, (later to become The Who), played at The Railway Hotel in Harrow, England. Just before the band were due on stage, Roger Daltry’s father-in law [...]

1963 – The Rolling Stones perform at the third National Jazz & Blues — 1963 – The Rolling Stones perform at the third National Jazz & Blues Festival in Richmond, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – Folk music comes to the TV game show What’s My Line? as — 1963 – Folk music comes to the TV game show What’s My Line? as the Kingston Trio are revealed as the mystery guests. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – The Isley Brothers hits #2 on the R&B chart and #17 on the pop — 1962 – The Isley Brothers hits #2 on the R&B chart and #17 on the pop chart with “Twist and Shout”. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – Bob Dylan plays a private party in Minneapolis. Pal Tony Glover records his set. — 1962 – Bob Dylan plays a private party in Minneapolis. Pal Tony Glover records his set. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – The Beach Boys release “Surfin’ Safari,” which becomes their — 1962 – The Beach Boys release “Surfin’ Safari,” which becomes their first top 40 single. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – Stax Records releases Booker T. & the MG’s “Green Onions — 1962 – Stax Records releases Booker T. & the MG’s “Green Onions.” The timeless instrumental peaks at No. 3 on the pop chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Richie Ramone, who drummed with his brothers from 1984 to 1987 — 1957 – Richie Ramone, who drummed with his brothers from 1984 to 1987, is born. He was really Richard Beau of the Velveteens. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Tonight on The Big Beat, Jerry Lee Lewis guests for the second time — 1957 – Tonight on The Big Beat, Jerry Lee Lewis guests for the second time, performing “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – Elvis Presley releases “Don’t Be Cruel.” The single becomes a No. 1 — 1956 – Elvis Presley releases “Don’t Be Cruel.” The single becomes a No. 1 pop, country, and R&B hit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1955 – Joe Jackson is born in Burton-on-Trent, Eng… — 1955 – Joe Jackson is born in Burton-on-Trent, England. His biggest hit is “Steppin’ Out,” a No. 6 song in 1982. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – Bill Haley & the Comets crash into the top 40 with “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” — 1954 – Bill Haley & the Comets crash into the top 40 with “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Eric Carmen is born in Cleveland. He is the… — 1949 – Eric Carmen is born in Cleveland. He is the lead singer of the Raspberries from Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Kenneth Gamble, who with Leon Huff perfected the Philly soul sound — 1943 – Kenneth Gamble, who with Leon Huff perfected the Philly soul sound of hits like “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” and “Love Train,” is born in Philadelphia. Be [...]

1943 – Guess Who bassist Jim Kale is born this day in rock history! — 1943 – Guess Who bassist Jim Kale is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]