Rock History

On this day...

2012 – Madonna retains Billboard 200 for 8th consectutive album on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2012 – Madonna retains Billboard 200 for 8th consectutive album on This Day in Rock Music History! Debuted at no. 1 “MDNA” beates Lionel Richie and only behind Babara Striesand. “MDNA” [...]

2009 – A Malawi court has denied Madonna’s adoption of 4-year-old Mercy James. — 2009 – A Malawi court has denied Madonna’s adoption of 4-year-old Mercy James. E! News Now – No Mercy for Madonna Madonna’s plans of adopting Mercy James dealt another blow [...]

2008 – Mariah Carey smashed Elvis Presley’s US chart record by scoring the 18th number — 2008 – Mariah Carey smashed Elvis Presley’s US chart record by scoring the 18th number one of her career with ‘Touch My Body’, from her new album E=MC2. Carey had [...]

2008 – Morrissey accepted a public apology in court from Word — 2008 – Morrissey accepted a public apology in court from Word Magazine after it suggested he was a racist and a hypocrite. The singer took Word to court after an [...]

2008 – The complete lineup for the 10th Anniversary of the New England Metal… — 2008 – The complete lineup for the 10th Anniversary of the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, set for weekend of April 25-27 at the Palladium in Worcester, Mass., has [...]

2008 – Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson… — 2008 – Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson announced today the headline acts for the third Virgin Mobile Festival, the largest music and arts festival on [...]

2008 – Scott Weiland’s publicist sent over a statement… — 2008 – Scott Weiland’s publicist sent over a statement from the outspoken singer where he fires back at Velvet Revolver’s announcement from Tuesday that they have decided to [...]

2007 – Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards denied that he snorted — 2007 – Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards denied that he snorted the ashes of his late father during a drugs binge. Jane Rose, Richards’ manager, told MTV News the remarks [...]

2006 – Wonder Stuff drummer Martin Gilks dies in L… — 2006 – Wonder Stuff drummer Martin Gilks dies in London after injuries sustained a day earlier in a motorcycle accident. He is 41. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Jeremy Camp takes top honors during the 28t… — 2006 – Jeremy Camp takes top honors during the 28th annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards at Nashville’s Richland Country Club. Camp is named songwriter of the year and his hit [...]

2005 – With three awards, Avril Lavigne leads the … — 2005 – With three awards, Avril Lavigne leads the pack at Canada’s 34th Annual Juno Awards, held at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre. Lavigne wins artist of the year and the fanvoted [...]

2005 – Easy listening English vocalist Tony Christ… — 2005 – Easy listening English vocalist Tony Christie scores another double victory on the U.K. charts, starting a third week at the top of the singles chart with “(Is This [...]

2004 – J Lo: Confirming suspicions that the Lopez family… — 2004 – J Lo: Confirming suspicions that the Lopez family have a lucky streak a mile wide, Jennifer Lopez’s mom wins $2.4 million playing a slot machine at [...]

2003 – Scandinavian garage rockers The Hives begin… —   2003 – Scandinavian garage rockers The Hives begin recording the follow-up to their hit Veni Vidi Vicious album in Fagersta, Sweden. Singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist says “Most of [...]

2003 – Linkin Park crash into No. 1 with their second… — 2003 – Linkin Park crash into No. 1 with their second album MeteoraOne Heart is the week’s second highest debut, settling at No. 2. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Detroit dance punks Electric Six pull their… — 2003 – Detroit dance punks Electric Six pull their single “Gay Bar” and debut album Fire from release schedules. The band says the song’s references nuclear war were [...]

2003 – The Beastie Boys Las Vegas benefit… — 2003 – The Beastie Boys Las Vegas benefit for the late Run-D.M.C. DJ Jam Master Jay sells out in 24 seconds. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – Robbie Williams won the award for the most radio plays in — 2001 – Robbie Williams won the award for the most radio plays in the UK for the third year running. The singer picked up the award at the Radio Academy [...]

2001 – Bluesman Lester “Big Daddy” Kinsey dies of … — 2001 – Bluesman Lester “Big Daddy” Kinsey dies of prostate cancer in Gary, Ind., at the age of 74. Kinsey is the patriarch of a well-known blues family: sons Donald, [...]

2000 – Things get ugly in Boston as the Ruff Ryder… — 2000 – Things get ugly in Boston as the Ruff Ryders/Cash Money tour featuring top rappers DMX and Eve pulls into town. A brawl breaks out backstage at the FleetCenter [...]

2000 – Mariah Carey is admitted to Massachusetts G… — 2000 – Mariah Carey is admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where she is treated for food poisoning and dehydration caused by some raw oysters she at in Atlanta [...]

1999 – “Happy Hour,” a variety show hosted by Dwee… — 1999 – “Happy Hour,” a variety show hosted by Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa, debuts on the USA Network. The show, a wacky cross between “Laugh In” and “The Match Game,” [...]

1996 – In a statement, Paul McCartney is still denying the Beatles… — 1996 – In a statement, Paul McCartney is still denying the Beatles will re-form. “The Beatles aren’t interested,” he says. “Money is not an issue. We wouldn’t do [...]

1996 – Jerry Garcia’s widow, Deborah, and guitarist… — 1996 – Jerry Garcia’s widow, Deborah, and guitarist Bob Weir scatter part of Jerry’s ashes in the Ganges River in India. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Bluesman, Roosevelt “Booba” Barnes dies at … — 1996 – Bluesman, Roosevelt “Booba” Barnes dies at the age of 60. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – a forthcoming tour by Nirvana and Hole was cancelled amid — 1994 – a forthcoming tour by Nirvana and Hole was cancelled amid continuing speculation about Kurt Cobain’s drug problems. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – Depeche Mode : Songs of Faith… — 1993 – Depeche Mode : Songs of Faith and Devotion : UK LP is no. 1 chart topper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – Bluebells : Young At Heart : UK single… — 1993 – Bluebells : Young At Heart : UK single is no. 1 chart topper! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Paul McCartney records an episode of MTV Unplugged. — 1991 – Paul McCartney records an episode of MTV Unplugged. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991- Paul McCartney recorded his unplugged session for MTV. — 1991- Paul McCartney recorded his unplugged session for MTV. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Jazz singer Sarah Vaughan dies of lung canc… — 1990 – Jazz singer Sarah Vaughan dies of lung cancer in California at age 66. She wins a Grammy Award as best female vocal jazz performance for her 1982 album [...]

1989 – 23 people were arrested after several thousand fans without — 1989 – 23 people were arrested after several thousand fans without tickets tried to gate-crash a Grateful Dead concert at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Get Outta My… — 1988 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car,” Billy Ocean. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – U2 kick off their American tour in Arizona… —   1987 – U2 kick off their American tour in Arizona. Remember the line “Charlie Manson stole this song from the Beatles…”? It was said here. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – “18 and Life” singer Sebastian Bach turns 18… — 1986 – “18 and Life” singer Sebastian Bach turns 18. and is born this day in rock history in 1968. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – In court, producer Jack Douglas wins $3 million he says is owed him by Yoko Ono… —   1984 – In court, producer Jack Douglas wins $3 million he says is owed him by Yoko Ono for his work on the Lennon/Ono album Double Fantasy. Be Sociable, [...]

1983 – after completing a 29-date UK tour, U2 appeared on BBC — 1983 – after completing a 29-date UK tour, U2 appeared on BBC TV Top Of The Pops performing their latest single ‘Two Hearts Beat As One.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – Kate Bush kicked off the 28-date ‘Tour Of Life’ trek making her concert — 1979 – Kate Bush kicked off the 28-date ‘Tour Of Life’ trek making her concert debut at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre, England. Bush never set out on another tour again. Be Sociable, [...]

1978 – B.B. King and lawyer F. Lee Bailey, chairmen… —   1978 – B.B. King and lawyer F. Lee Bailey, chairmen of the Foundation for the Advancement of Inmate Rehabilitation and Recreation, visit Boston’s Norfolk Prison. King performs for [...]

1975 – Steve Miller was charged with setting fire to the clothes of a friend — 1975 – Steve Miller was charged with setting fire to the clothes of a friend, Benita Diorio. When police arrived at Miller’s house, Diorio was putting out the flames, Miller [...]

1973 – Beatles ’62-’66 and Beatles ’67-’70 released in UK. — 1973 – Beatles ’62-’66 and Beatles ’67-’70 released in UK. 1962–1966 (widely known as The Red Album) is a compilation of The Beatles’ greatest hits from 1962 to 1966. It was [...]

1972 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Puerto Rico’s Mar y Sol Festival ends… — 1972 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Puerto Rico’s Mar y Sol Festival ends, having run out of its already meager supply of food. Hundreds of Americans who flew to [...]

1971 – Temptations: Just My Imagination US 45… — 1971 – Temptations: Just My Imagination US 45 is no. 1 chart topper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Jim Morrison is arrested by the FBI for int… — 1969 – Jim Morrison is arrested by the FBI for interstate flight, stemming from obscenity charges lodged after a Miami concert. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Billy Preston signs with Apple. — 1969 – Billy Preston signs with Apple on this day in rock history. Billy played the keyboard solo on the Beatles ‘Get Back’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – working on The Beatles Sgt Pepper album at Abbey Road studios — 1967 – working on The Beatles Sgt Pepper album at Abbey Road studios in London, George Harrison recorded his lead vocal on his song ‘Within You Without You’. as well [...]

1966 – Tonight, Hollywood’s Troubadour club hosts a performance… —   1966 – Tonight, Hollywood’s Troubadour club hosts a performance by folk singer Peter Tork. By September, he will be more famous as a member of the Monkees. Be Sociable, [...]

1965 – Wooly Bully: Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs release… — 1965 – Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs release their garage classic “Wooly Bully.” Lyrics: Uno, dos, one, two, tres, quatro Matty told Hatty about a thing she saw. Had two big horns [...]

1960 – Everly Brothers begin first ever UK tour… — 1960 – Everly Brothers begin first ever UK tour in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1959 – The BBC bans the Coasters hit “Charlie Brown… — 1959 – The BBC bans the Coasters hit “Charlie Brown” due to the use of the word “spitball.” Lyrics: Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum I smell smoke in the auditorium Charlie Brown, Charlie [...]

1956 – Elvis Presley performs today on The Milton Berle Show… — 1956  – Elvis Presley performs today on The Milton Berle Show, broadcast live from the aircraft carrier USS Hancock. Some 25,000 people applied for tickets to see the [...]

1955 – Mick Mars (Motley Crüe) is born… — 1955 – Mick Mars (Motley Crüe) is born this day in rock. Career After his family relocated from Indiana, to California, Robert Deal dropped out of high school and began playing guitar [...]

1945 – Richard Manuel, keyboard player for The Ban… — 1945 – Richard Manuel, keyboard player for The Band is born in Stratford, Ontario. He commits suicide in March 1986 at age 42. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – Tony Orlando (Michael Anthony Orlando Cassi… — 1944 – Tony Orlando (Michael Anthony Orlando Cassivitis) is born in Manhattan, N.Y. He is the lead singer of Dawn from 1970-77. The group’s biggest hit is “Tie a Yellow [...]

1941 – Jan Berry of Jan & Dean is born in Los Ange… — 1941 – Jan Berry of Jan & Dean is born in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]