Rock History

On this day...

2006 – For the first time in 30 years, Bob Dylan t… — 2006 – For the first time in 30 years, Bob Dylan tops The Chart Toppers 200 with “Modern Times.” Not only is it the legendary songwriter’s first album to reach [...]

2005 – Antony and the Johnsons win the U.K.’s Mercury Music Prize for the — 2005 – Antony and the Johnsons win the U.K.’s Mercury Music Prize for the album I am a Bird Now. The New York-based falsetto singer was eligible because he was [...]

2004 – Motormouthed rapper Twista (“Slow Jamz”) is injured in a car crash — 2004 – Motormouthed rapper Twista (“Slow Jamz”) is injured in a car crash near Erie, Pa. His longtime friend and bodyguard Arthur Dixon is killed in the accident. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – 30,000 people attend San Francisco’s 911 Power to the Peaceful — 2003 – 30,000 people attend San Francisco’s 911 Power to the Peaceful festival, organized by Spearhead/Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy mouthpiece Michael Franti. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Introducing “Break Stuff” at a Limp Bizkit concert in London, Fred — 2003 – Introducing “Break Stuff” at a Limp Bizkit concert in London, Fred Durst asks, “How many people out there have had one of those f*cked-up days? I can remember [...]

2003 – Controversial country stars the Dixie Chicks kick off a European — 2003 – Controversial country stars the Dixie Chicks kick off a European tour in Stockholm, Sweden. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – Atari Teenage Riot co-founder Carl Crack di… — 2001 – Atari Teenage Riot co-founder Carl Crack dies at the age of 30. The cause of Deaths is not announced, though Crack is understood to have undergone treatment for [...]

2000 – Oxford University invites Michael Jackson to speak — 2000 – Oxford University invites Michael Jackson to speak at its debating society. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – ‘You’re the One,’ Paul Simon’s ninth solo album — 2000 – ‘You’re the One,’ Paul Simon’s ninth solo album (excepting compilations and concert discs), is released. It is his first album of songs not tied to a larger conceptual [...]

1999 – The Youngbloods were given a second chance in 1969 when “Get — 1999 – The Youngbloods were given a second chance in 1969 when “Get Together” peaked inside the top 10 in the U.S. The single was from their 1967 self-titled album, [...]

1999 – Stone Temple Pilot Scott Weiland is sentenced to a year — 1999 – Stone Temple Pilot Scott Weiland is sentenced to a year in jail for a probation violation. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Former wrestler Joe Thomas, who alleges that Brian Wilson’s — 1999  – Former wrestler Joe Thomas, who alleges that Brian Wilson’s wife, Melinda, did her best to ruin his songwriting partnership with the Beach Boys legend, sues her. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Brad Warren, of the Warren Brothers, interr… — 1998 – Brad Warren, of the Warren Brothers, interrupts touring to be present for the arrival of his new baby, Sage Warren, at Nashville hospital. Brad’s brother and bandmate Brett [...]

1997 – Fleetwood Mac’s live MTV album, The Dance, hit number 1 in 199 — 1997 – Fleetwood Mac’s live MTV album, The Dance, hit number 1 in 1997. It eventually sold 5 million copies in the U.S. after entering the BILLBOARD charts at number [...]

1997 – Roy Husky Jr., regarded as one of country m… — 1997 – Roy Husky Jr., regarded as one of country music’s best upright bassists, dies of cancer at Columbia Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. Husky performed with such icons as [...]

1997 – David Bowie launches a six-week tour of Nor… — 1997 – David Bowie launches a six-week tour of North America in Vancouver, British Columbia. The tour hits clubs, ballrooms, and theaters. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Following a Mike Tyson boxing match in Las Vegas, rapper — 1996 – Following a Mike Tyson boxing match in Las Vegas, rapper Tupac Shakur and Death Row boss Marion “Suge” Knight are shot in a drive-by. Tupac dies six days [...]

1995 – At Baltimore’s Camden Yards, Bruce Hornsby and Branford — 1995 – At Baltimore’s Camden Yards, Bruce Hornsby and Branford Marsalis perform the national anthem before today’s Orioles game. At the game, Cal Ripken Jr. sets a new record for [...]

1994 – Pianist Nicky Hopkins dies at age 50 in London. Following his — 1994 – Pianist Nicky Hopkins dies at age 50 in London. Following his performance on the Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request, he became an in-demand session player, making appearances [...]

1990 – Tom Fogerty, who played rhythm guitar with his brother John — 1990 – Tom Fogerty, who played rhythm guitar with his brother John in Creedence Clearwater Revival, dies of AIDS in Scottsdale, Ariz. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – MTV presents “The 1990 Video Music Awards” live — 1990 – MTV presents “The 1990 Video Music Awards” live from the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” wins video of the year. Be [...]

1989 – Neil Young had his video for “This Note’s for You” named Best — 1989 – Neil Young had his video for “This Note’s for You” named Best Video of the Year by MTV at its sixth annual awards ceremony in 1989. The video [...]

1989 – At Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, the Steelers football team — 1989 – At Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, the Steelers football team is required to find another place to practice, as the Rolling Stones are rehearsing their concert there. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – MTV simulcasts “The 1986 MTV Video Music Awards” — 1986 – MTV simulcasts “The 1986 MTV Video Music Awards” live from New York and Los Angeles. Video of the Years goes to Dire Straits for “Money for Nothing.” Be Sociable, [...]

1982 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Hard to Say … — 1982 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” Chicago. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Ginger Baker quits recently re-formed Atomic Rooster — 1980 – Ginger Baker quits recently re-formed [...]

1980 – Al Stewart hits #37 in the US with ’24 Carrots’ — 1980 – Al Stewart hits #37 in the US with ’24 Carrots’ this day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – Producer Tom Wilson dies in Los Angeles. He helmed seminal — 1978 – Producer Tom Wilson dies in Los Angeles. He helmed seminal records by Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited), the Velvet Underground (Velvet Underground & Nico), and Frank Zappa (Freak [...]

1975 – Ritchie Blackmore’s new group Rainbow makes its chart — 1975 – Ritchie Blackmore’s new group Rainbow makes its chart debut with their self-titled LP. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Jefferson Starship: ‘Red Octopus’ US LP is no. 1 — 1975 – Jefferson Starship: ‘Red Octopus’ US [...]

1975 – ‘Born to Run’ by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street — 1975 – ‘Born to Run’ by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is released. The album garners critical raves, and Springsteen appears on the covers of both ‘Time’ and [...]

1975 – ZZ Top hits #20 with “Tush” this day — 1975 – ZZ Top hits #20 with “Tush” this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – T. Rex embarks on their US tour — 1974 – T. Rex embarks on their US tour this day in rock! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – Splinter’s The Place I Love album becomes the first release on George — 1974 – Splinter’s The Place I Love album becomes the first release on George Harrison’s Dark Horse label. In addition to Harrison’s guitar contributions, the album features performances by Harrison’s [...]

1972 – There’s a reason to watch Jerry Lewis’ Muscular Dystrophy Telethon — 1972 – There’s a reason to watch Jerry Lewis’ Muscular Dystrophy Telethon this Labor Day weekend, because John Lennon and Yoko Ono make a guest appearance. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan is born — 1971 – The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan is born this day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Go Away Litt… — 1971 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Go Away Little Girl,” Donny Osmond. Steve Lawrence hit No. 1 with the song in 1963, making this the first song in [...]

1970 – Hendrix, Cox and Mitchell play the Love and Peace Festival — 1970 – Hendrix, Cox and Mitchell play the Love and Peace Festival in Puttgarden, Germany. Hendrix then returns to London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – “Carry Me Back,” the Rascals’ last single to make the Top — 1969 – “Carry Me Back,” the Rascals’ last single to make the Top Forty, enters the chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – The hardest-working man in show business has had enough. So James — 1969 – The hardest-working man in show business has had enough. So James Brown announces his retirement after tonight’s gig at the Memphis Mid-Southern Coliseum. His last concert, he says, [...]

1969 – Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay” reaches its peak position of No. 7 — 1969 – Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay” reaches its peak position of No. 7 on the singles chart. Later it turns out he never owned a brass bed to begin [...]

1969 – David Bowie debuts on UK chart with ‘Space Oddity’ this — 1969 – David Bowie debuts on [...]

1968 – Eric Clapton contributes a solo to the Beatles track — 1968 – Eric Clapton contributes a solo to the Beatles track “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – D.A. Penebaker’s Dylan film ‘Don’t Look Back’ premieres — 1967 – D.A. Penebaker’s Dylan film ‘Don’t Look [...]

1963 – Rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis’ contract with Sun Records — 1963 – Rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis’ contract with Sun Records expires and he ain’t renewing. Instead, he signs with Smash Records, and promptly disappears off the chart map. Be Sociable, [...]

1963 – Galaxie 500 guitarist Damon Krukowski is born — 1963 – Galaxie 500 guitarist Damon Krukowski is born this day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – Brian Epstein signs a management contract with — 1963 -  Brian Epstein signs a management contract [...]

1961 – Pal Waaktaar, guitarist and principal songwriter with — 1961 – Pal Waaktaar, guitarist and principal songwriter with Norwegian favorites a-ha, is born in Oslo. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1961 – Bob Dylan makes his New York debut, playing at — 1961 – Bob Dylan makes his New York debut, playing at the Gaslight Cafe this day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Paul Anka joined Alan Freed’s Biggest Show of Stars tour in — 1957 – Paul Anka joined Alan Freed’s Biggest Show of Stars tour in 1957. It was perfect timing as “Diana” had just hit number 1. The song was written about [...]

1957 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Diana,” Pau… — 1957 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Diana,” Paul Anka. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – The first ‘Flexi-Disc’ is produced, for Nestle Chocolate — 1957 – The first ‘Flexi-Disc’ is produced, for [...]

1957 – Elvis Presley records ‘White Christmas, Silent Night’ and — 1957 – Elvis Presley records ‘White [...]

1944 – One of rock’s maddest geniuses, Pink Floyd’s Roger — 1944 – One of rock’s maddest geniuses, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, is born in Great Bookham, England. George Roger Waters (born 6 September 1943 in Great Bookham, Surrey) is an English [...]

1944 – Roger Waters of Pink Floyd is born in Cambr… — 1944 – Roger Waters of Pink Floyd is born in Cambridge, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1925 – Jimmy Reed is born in Dunleith, Miss. His blues — 1925 – Jimmy Reed is born in Dunleith, Miss. His blues compositions, among them “Bright Lights, Big City” and “Baby, What Do You Want Me to Do,” have become an [...]

1925 – Jimmy Reed (Matthew James Reed Leland) is b… — 1925 – Jimmy Reed (Matthew James Reed Leland) is born in Dunleight, Miss. Be Sociable, Share! [...]