Rock History

On this day...

1960 – Steve Vai: Widdlywiddlywiddlywiddlywiddlywiddlywiddly-SCREECH! Yes — FEATURED: Yaayo Gak! 1960 – Steve Vai: Widdlywiddlywiddlywiddlywiddlywiddlywiddly-SCREECH! Yes, it’s happy birthday to Steve Vai, born today in Long Island, N.Y. this day in rock Guitar God History! Steven “Steve” Siro [...]

2006 – Billy Preston, the so-called “Fifth Beatle” dies aged 59 — 2006 – Billy Preston, the so-called “Fifth Beatle” dies aged 59. Preston played keyboards on “Get Back,” and during the 1970s scored solo No. 1s with “Nothing From [...]

2006 – Jazzman Hilton Ruiz has dies from complicat… — 2006 – Jazzman Hilton Ruiz has dies from complications following an accident in New Orleans. Ruiz had turned 54 barely a week earlier. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist wh… — 2006 – Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist who landed dream gigs with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and enjoyed his own series of hit singles, including “Outta Space” and [...]

2005 – Something Corporate singer Andrew McMahon announces he’s — 2005 – Something Corporate singer Andrew McMahon announces he’s being treated for leukemia. The band cancel this summer’s Warped Tour appearance. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – ZZ Top are nearly swept offstage by a rainstorm at Eric Clapton — 2004 – ZZ Top are nearly swept offstage by a rainstorm at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival in Dallas. Other performers include James Taylor, Santana, John Mayer, and Robert [...]

2004 – Metallica play a rare gig without drummer Lars Ulrich, who is — 2004 – Metallica play a rare gig without drummer Lars Ulrich, who is sidelined with an undisclosed illness. Slipknot’s Joey Jordison and Slayer’s Dave Lombardo fill in for [...]

2003 – A fan is electrocuted while walking walking barefoot — 2003 – A fan is electrocuted while walking walking barefoot on a wet concrete stairway and dies at a Red Hot Chili Peppers/Snoop Dogg concert at Charlottesville, Va. [...]

2003 – Officials at Six Flags in Darien Lakes, N.Y., ban Marilyn Manson’s — 2003 – Officials at Six Flags in Darien Lakes, N.Y., ban Marilyn Manson’s Ozzfest appearance in August. The amusement park invoked a contract clause that allows them to [...]

2003 – Dave Rowberry, keyboardist with ’60s hitmakers the — 2003 – Dave Rowberry, keyboardist with ’60s hitmakers the Animals (“House of the Rising Sun”), is found dead in his East London flat. He was 62. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Founding Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby succu… — 2002 – Founding Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby succumbs to AIDS after an eight-year battle with the disease. Crosby, who co-wrote many of the pop-metal band’s best-known songs, is 42. Be Sociable, [...]

2001 – Spiller takes top honors at the DanceStar 2… — 2001 – Spiller takes top honors at the DanceStar 2001 Awards in London. The group wins best house act, best chart act, and worldwide record of the year for its [...]

2000 – The Smithereens’ Pat DiNizio files to run for New — 2000 – The Smithereens’ Pat DiNizio files to run for New Jersey Senate on behalf of the Reform Party. He loses. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood checks hi… — 2000 – Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood checks himself into rehab in London. Wood, who is accompanied by his wife, is admitted to the Priory Clinic in an effort to [...]

1997 – Following Phil Collins’ departure, Genesis announce — 1997 – Following Phil Collins’ departure, Genesis announce that his replacement is Ray Wilson, formerly with the band Stiltskin. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – Pink Floyd releases its two-CD live album, … — 1995 – Pink Floyd releases its two-CD live album, “Pulse.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – A son, Evan Shane, is born in Los Angeles t… — 1994 – A son, Evan Shane, is born in Los Angeles to Paul and Pamela Bowen Stanley. Paul Stanley is the lead singer and co-founder of the rock group Kiss. [...]

1992 – David Bowie marries model and actress Iman … — 1992 – David Bowie marries model and actress Iman in a church ceremony in Florence, Italy. The couple wed in a civil ceremony in May. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Sax great Stan Getz dies in Malibu, Calif. — 1991 – Sax great Stan Getz dies in Malibu, Calif. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Jazz tenor saxophonist Stan Getz dies of li… — 1991 – Jazz tenor saxophonist Stan Getz dies of liver cancer in Malibu, Calif., at age 64. His album “Jazz Samba” hit No. 1 on Chart Toppers’s pop album chart [...]

1990 – Prolific as ever, “Weird Al” Yankovic tosses off the instant — 1990 – Prolific as ever, “Weird Al” Yankovic tosses off the instant classics “When I Was Your Age,” “Trigger Happy,” and “Airline Amy” in the studio. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – U.S. District Judge Jose Gonzalez in Fort L… — 1990 – U.S. District Judge Jose Gonzalez in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., rules that 2 Live Crew’s rap album “As Nasty as They Wanna Be” is obscene. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – After the religious sect expresses much disapproval — 1987 – After the religious sect expresses much disapproval over his behavior, Michael Jackson officially severs his ties with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. So don’t expect to see him [...]

1987 – Michael Jackson severs his ties with the Je… — 1987 – Michael Jackson severs his ties with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – Genesis release Invisible Touch, which Patrick Bateman — 1986 – Genesis release Invisible Touch, which Patrick Bateman considers to be their finest album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – Bob Dylan performs at the Amnesty International concert at Los Angeles’ Forum. — 1986 – Bob Dylan performs at the Amnesty International concert at Los Angeles’ Forum. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Petty, Stevie — 1982 – Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Nicks,  and Crosby, Stills & Nash play the Peace Sunday: We Have a [...]

1977 – The Doobie Brothers pioneer the Fairway to Heaven format — 1977 – The Doobie Brothers pioneer the Fairway to Heaven format with a Golf Classic and Concert to benefit the United Way. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Students at UCLA are shocked when Stevie Wonder — 1977 – Students at UCLA are shocked when Stevie Wonder appears as a guest lecturer, talking about his experiences with Motown and then performing music by way of [...]

1975 – Pink Floyd fly to America for a tour. It would end in disaster — 1975 – Pink Floyd fly to America for a tour. It would end in disaster when an addled Roger Waters spits on the audience. He later records The [...]

1972 – David Bowie releases his album The Rise and Fall — 1972 – David Bowie releases his album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Frank Zappa and his Mothers of Invention are joined onstage — 1971 – Frank Zappa and his Mothers of Invention are joined onstage at New York’s Fillmore East by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Today is also the last broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show. Ed’s — 1971 – Today is also the last broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show. Ed’s final musical guests are Gladys Knight & the Pips. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Gladys Knight & the Pips are musical guests… — 1971 – Gladys Knight & the Pips are musical guests on the final episode of CBS-TV’s “Ed Sullivan Show.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Syd Barrett plays his first solo concert since leaving Pink Floyd — 1970 – Syd Barrett plays his first solo concert since leaving Pink Floyd, although he’s helped out at London’s Extravaganza event by guitarist Dave Gilmour and drummer Jerry [...]

1969 – Rod Stewart signs as a solo artist to Mercury Records. — 1969 – Rod Stewart signs as a solo artist to Mercury Records. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – The Rolling Stones add new lyrics to their forthcoming single — 1968 – The Rolling Stones add new lyrics to their forthcoming single “Sympathy for the Devil” referring to the recent assassination of Robert Kennedy. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Paint It Bla… — 1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Paint It Black,” The Rolling Stones. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – Herman’s Hermits play The Ed Sullivan Show. — 1965 – Herman’s Hermits play The Ed Sullivan Show. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – On the American singles chart, the Beatles’ “P.S. I Love — 1964 – On the American singles chart, the Beatles’ “P.S. I Love You” goes to No. 10. But in today’s music trade papers, an anonymous advertisement declares, “In [...]

1962 – In London, the Beatles audition for EMI’s George Martin — 1962 – In London, the Beatles audition for EMI’s George Martin at the Abbey Road studios, playing their compositions “Love Me Do” and “Ask Me Why.” George Martin [...]

1960 – Roy Orbison releases his debut hit, “Only the Lonely.” — 1960 – Roy Orbison releases his debut hit, “Only the Lonely.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1960 – Steven “Steve” Siro Vai (born June 6, 1960 in Carle Place, New York) is an American — 1960 – Steven “Steve” Siro Vai (born June 6, 1960 in Carle Place, New York) is an American instrumental rock guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and producer. After starting his professional career [...]

1956 – Capitol Records releases Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-A-Lula.” — 1956 – Capitol Records releases Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-A-Lula.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Dire Straits drummer Tony Williams is born — 1947 – Dire Straits drummer Tony Williams is born in Hollywood this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I’ll Get By … — 1944 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I’ll Get By (as Long as I Have You),” Harry James Orchestra/Dick Haynes. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Gary U.S. Bonds (Gary Anderson) is born in … — 1939 – Gary U.S. Bonds (Gary Anderson) is born in Jacksonville, Fla. His biggest hit is the No. 1 song “Quarter to Three.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1936 – Four Tops lead vocalist Levi Stubbs is born Levi Stubbles in Detroit. — 1936 – Four Tops lead vocalist Levi Stubbs is born Levi Stubbles in Detroit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]