Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Clarence Clemmons, known for his work in the E Street band with Bruce Springsteen, suffered a Stroke today on This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Clarence Clemmons, known for his work in the E Street band with Bruce Springsteen, suffered a Stroke today on This Day in Rock! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2008 – A Chicago jury acquitted R Kelly of all 14 charges of child pornography — 2008 – A Chicago jury acquitted R Kelly of all 14 charges of child pornography against him. The US singer was found not guilty of making an explicit sex video [...]

1970 – In 1970, The Beatles had their last original single, “The Long and Winding Road — 1970 – In 1970, The Beatles had their last original single, “The Long and Winding Road,” hit number 1. Since then, they’ve had moderate success with “Got to Get [...]

2006 – Sonic Youth kicks off its summer tour by cr… — 2006 – Sonic Youth kicks off its summer tour by cramming onto the stage at New York’s famed CBGB, hours after the release of its newest album, “Rather Ripped.” Be Sociable, [...]

2005 – Pop superstar Michael Jackson is found not … — 2005 – Pop superstar Michael Jackson is found not guilty on all counts of his child molestation trial in Santa Maria, Calif. Jackson, 46, had been charged with molesting a [...]

2005 – Canada’s largest specialist music retailer … — 2005 – Canada’s largest specialist music retailer HMV Canada pulls all of Alanis Morissette’s products from its shelves in protest to a North American deal that gives Starbucks six-weeks exclusive [...]

2003 – The Arctic Monkeys made their live debut at The Grapes pub — 2003 – The Arctic Monkeys made their live debut at The Grapes pub in Sheffield, England. They received £27 from ticket sales. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – the elder statesman of music were rewarded in this year’s Queen’s — 2003 – the elder statesman of music were rewarded in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list for their services to music. Sting was awarded a CBE, Gerry Marsden an MBE, [...]

2003 – Venezuelan salsa star Oscar D’Leon suffers … — 2003 – Venezuelan salsa star Oscar D’Leon suffers a heart attack during a show on the Caribbean island of Martinique. D’Leon, who turns 60 the following month, is one of [...]

2002 – As part of Barry Manilow’s induction into t… — 2002 – As part of Barry Manilow’s induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Trisha Yearwood sings Manilow’s hit “Could It Be Magic.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – Vince Gill receives Country Weekly magazine… — 2001 – Vince Gill receives Country Weekly magazine’s Career Achievement Award during the TNN & CMT Country Music Awards. The honor goes to a living country artist whose career has [...]

2001 – Chris LeDoux makes his first TV appearance … — 2001 – Chris LeDoux makes his first TV appearance since undergoing a liver transplant the previous October. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Bobby Brown admitted he was an alcoholic, saying, ‘I have a disease — 2000 – Bobby Brown admitted he was an alcoholic, saying, ‘I have a disease, I am an addict, I am an alcoholic’. The singer made the admission while appearing in [...]

2000 – a roadie who worked for The Spice Girls, Oasis, Elton John and Whitney — 2000 – a roadie who worked for The Spice Girls, Oasis, Elton John and Whitney Houston was arrested and charged with smuggling millions of pounds worth of Ecstasy into the [...]

2000 – 37-year-old Susan E Santodonato collapsed and died of a heart — 2000 – 37-year-old Susan E Santodonato collapsed and died of a heart attack outside New York radio station Star 105.7. after a Britney Spears impersonator left the building. A crowd [...]

2000 – Rapper Black Rob (Robert Ross) surrenders t… — 2000 – Rapper Black Rob (Robert Ross) surrenders to authorities in New York and is charged with the felony of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. The [...]

2000 – Gordon “Sting” Sumner files a complaint wit… — 2000 – Gordon “Sting” Sumner files a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) over the rights to the domain name www.sting.com, alleging that a Marietta, Ga.-based man had [...]

1998 – Lightning strikes more than twice at the Ti… — 1998 – Lightning strikes more than twice at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Washington – to disastrous effect. Numerous people in the huge crowd are injured and the multi-act show [...]

1995 – Alanis Morissette released ‘Jagged Little Pill’. The album went on to — 1995 – Alanis Morissette released ‘Jagged Little Pill’. The album went on to sell over 30 million copies world-wide making Morissette the first female Canadian to score a US No.1 [...]

1995 – Country star Ty Herndon is arrested by an u… — 1995 – Country star Ty Herndon is arrested by an undercover cop on a charge of drug possession – 90 minutes before he is to perform at a Texas police [...]

1986 – Big band leader Benny Goodman dies of a hea… — 1986 – Big band leader Benny Goodman dies of a heart attack at the age of 77. Goodman is given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for launching the big band [...]

1984 – The Jacksons’ “State of Shock,” with Mick… — 1984 – The Jacksons’ “State of Shock,” with Mick Jagger doing guest vocals, is released. The million-seller reaches No. 3 on Chart Toppers’s Hot 100. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Roadie the movie opened this week in the U.S. in 1980. Meat Loaf — 1980 – Roadie the movie opened this week in the U.S. in 1980. Meat Loaf starred as a road manager for rock groups, trying to solve all problems thrown his [...]

1975 – John Lennon makes his last TV appearance to… — 1975 – John Lennon makes his last TV appearance to sing “Imagine.” He retires soon after to become a househusband and raise his son Sean. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – Clyde McPhatter, the first lead singer of t… — 1972 – Clyde McPhatter, the first lead singer of the Drifters, dies at the age of 38. He leaves the group before it hits it big. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Rivers Cuomo, Weezer’s Lead singer is born on This Day in Rock! — 1970 – Rivers Cuomo, Weezer’s Lead singer is born on This Day in Rock! Weezer had the 1995 top 40 hit “Buddy Holly”. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – The Rolling Stones held a photo call in Hyde Park to introduce new guitarist — 1969 – The Rolling Stones held a photo call in Hyde Park to introduce new guitarist Mick Taylor. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – The Bee Gees appeared live on the UK TV show ‘As You Like It — 1967 – The Bee Gees appeared live on the UK TV show ‘As You Like It’. The group were promoting their debut single ‘New York Mining Disaster 1941.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – Louis Armstrong started a six week run at No.1 on the US album — 1964 – Louis Armstrong started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Hello Dolly!’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – Born on this day, Robbie Merrill, bassist, Godsmack, (2003, US No.1 — 1963 – Born on this day, Robbie Merrill, bassist, Godsmack, (2003, US No.1 album ‘Faceless’, 2006 US No.1 album ‘IV’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Born on this day, Rolf Brendel, Nena, (1984 UK No.1 & US No.2 — 1957 – Born on this day, Rolf Brendel, Nena, (1984 UK No.1 & US No.2 single ’99 Red Balloons’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Born on this day, Howard Lees, Heart, (1987 US & UK No.3 single ‘Alone’). — 1951 – Born on this day, Howard Lees, Heart, (1987 US & UK No.3 single ‘Alone’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Born on this day, Dennis Locorriere, guitar, Dr Hook, (1972 US No.5 — 1949 – Born on this day, Dennis Locorriere, guitar, Dr Hook, (1972 US No.5 & UK No.2 single ‘Sylvia’s Mother’ plus 9 other US Top 40 hits). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Born on this day, Esther Ofarim, singer, (1968 UK No.1 single — 1943 – Born on this day, Esther Ofarim, singer, (1968 UK No.1 single ‘Cinderella Rockerfella’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1934 – Born on this day, Uriel Jones, session drummer for Motown Records’ in-house — 1934 – Born on this day, Uriel Jones, session drummer for Motown Records’ in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers, during the 1960s and early 1970s. Jones played on many Motown [...]