Rock History

On this day...

2011 – The Foo Fighters’ releases Wasting Light — 2011 – The Foo Fighters’ releases Wasting Light – produced by Nevermind producer Butch Vigg on This Day in Rock! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2010 – VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has finally made peace with the Beatles, saying their drug use, “dissolute” lives and even the claim that the band — 2010 – VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has finally made peace with the Beatles, saying their drug use, “dissolute” lives and even the claim that the band was bigger than [...]

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2008 – Day26 the winners of US TV show Making The Band were at No.1 on the US — 2008 – Day26 the winners of US TV show Making The Band were at No.1 on the US album chart with their self-titled debut album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – The Beatles are introduced to the Rolling Stones… — 1963 – The Beatles are introduced to the Rolling Stones for the first time backstage in Richmond, England. George Harrison says he’s particularly impressed by the unsigned band’s [...]

1965 – Elvis Presley’s latest film, Girl Happy, opens nationwide. — 1965 – Elvis Presley’s latest film, Girl Happy, opens nationwide. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – The Bee Gees release their first English single… — 1967 – The Bee Gees release their first English single, “New York Mining Disaster 1941.” Advertisements call the trio “The Most Significant Talent Since the Beatles.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – David Bowie releases his novelty single “The Laughing Gnome… — 1967 – David Bowie releases his novelty single “The Laughing Gnome.” Using music hall stylings and a sped-up voice, the song becomes a hit only in 1983. Be Sociable, [...]

1969 – The Beatles record “The Ballad of John and Yoko… — 1969 – The Beatles record “The Ballad of John and Yoko” at Abbey Road. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Mick Jagger announces that guitarist-singer Ron Wood… — 1975 – Mick Jagger announces that guitarist-singer Ron Wood will assist the Rolling Stones on their forthcoming tour of North and South America. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – Stevie Wonder announces he’s signed a $13 million… — 1976 – Stevie Wonder announces he’s signed a $13 million contract with Motown. He makes good on the deal with commercially triumphant and critically celebrated Songs in the [...]

2008 – Two days after Ashlee Simpson and Fall Out Boy’… — 2008 – Two days after Ashlee Simpson and Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz shocked their fans by announcing their engagement via a blog post on FriendsOrEnemies.com, reactions are starting to [...]

2008 – American Idol: ‘I thought, ‘OK, wait a second, I’m not going… — 2008 – American Idol: ‘I thought, ‘OK, wait a second, I’m not going home, and they’re having a good laugh,’ ‘ the soulful singer says of Ryan Seacrest’s tease. Be [...]

2005 – Mariah Carey released ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’, the album entered the US — 2005 – Mariah Carey released ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’, the album entered the US chart at number one, going six times platinum in less than a year, and subsequently became [...]

2005 – Britney Spears announces that she’s pregnant… — 2005 – Britney Spears announces that she’s pregnant. Her husband (and apparently the child’s father) Kevin Federline has two children from another girlfriend. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Singer and actor Tyrese sustains cuts and i… — 2002 – Singer and actor Tyrese sustains cuts and injures his back in a motorcycle crash in a desert area of Riverside County in Southern California. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Rapper Nate Dogg (Nathaniel Dawayne Hale) i… — 2002 – Rapper Nate Dogg (Nathaniel Dawayne Hale) is booked into Arizona’s Mohave County Jail on felony charges of possession of marihuana, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen firearm. The artist [...]

2002 – Italian singer Alex Baroni is declared dead… — 2002 – Italian singer Alex Baroni is declared dead at the Santo Spirito hospital in Rome. He is 36. Baroni had been in a coma since March 19, following a [...]

2002 – British pop singer Elton John testifies bef… — 2002 – British pop singer Elton John testifies before Congress, saying America has an obligation to use its vast resources to stop the spread of AIDS around the world. Be Sociable, [...]

2000 – the members of Metallica filed a suit against Napster, Yale University, The University — 2000 – the members of Metallica filed a suit against Napster, Yale University, The University of Southern California and Indiana University for copyright infringement. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Mavericks drummer Paul Deakin undergoes ope… — 2000 – Mavericks drummer Paul Deakin undergoes open-heart valve replacement surgery. The procedure repairs a faulty valve caused by a birth defect. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – An off-duty policeman kills himself at a Cure gig in Prague. — 2000 – An off-duty policeman kills himself at a Cure gig in Prague. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Country music crossover queen Shania Twain … — 1999 – Country music crossover queen Shania Twain becomes the only female artist in music history to reach 10 million units sold with back-to-back album releases. Twain’s third Mercury Records [...]

1999 – Boxcar Willie dies of leukemia in Branson, … — 1999 – Boxcar Willie dies of leukemia in Branson, Mo. He is 67. The country singer, born Lecil Travis Martin, adopted the “Boxcar” persona due to his love of railroads. Be [...]

1998 – Music industry veteran James B. Conkling, w… — 1998 – Music industry veteran James B. Conkling, who helped launch Warner Bros. Records and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, dies at Sutter Oaks Alzheimer’s Hospital in [...]

1997 – The Fugees perform the first of two homecoming… — 1997 – The Fugees perform the first of two homecoming concerts in Haiti to raise money for refugees. However, the concerts end up costing more money to stage [...]

1995 – two weeks after her death, George W. Bush, (then the governor of Texas), declared “Selena — 1995 – two weeks after her death, George W. Bush, (then the governor of Texas), declared “Selena Day” in Texas. The Mexican American singer Selena was murdered aged 23 by [...]

1992 – Don Henley leads 6,000 people in a Walk for Walden… — 1992 – Don Henley leads 6,000 people in a Walk for Walden Woods in an effort to preserve the Massachusetts wild commemorated by Henry Thoreau. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Soul singer James Brown is transferred from… — 1990 – Soul singer James Brown is transferred from prison to a South Carolina work release center after serving 15 months for aggravated assault. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – The Beatles: The Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz… — 1990 – The Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., names four recently discovered asteroids after the four Beatles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – The Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Centre announced that Asteroids — 1990 – The Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Centre announced that Asteroids 4147-4150, would be named Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr after the four members of The Beatles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – two DJ’s on Los Angeles station KLOS asked what ever happened to David — 1989 – two DJ’s on Los Angeles station KLOS asked what ever happened to David Cassidy’ The singer called the station up and the presenters invited him onto the show. [...]

1987 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Knew You W… — 1987 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me),” Aretha Franklin & George Michael. The song is Michael’s fourth No. 1 song and Franklin’s [...]

1986 – Congratulations to former Go-Go Belinda Carlisle… — 1986 – Congratulations to former Go-Go Belinda Carlisle, who marries actor Morgan Mason today. He later produced sex, lies, and videotape. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle married actor Morgan Mason — 1986 – Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle married actor Morgan Mason on this day in rock History! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – Mickey Thomas joins Jefferson Starship… — 1979 – Mickey Thomas joins Jefferson Starship, replacing founding member Marty Balin. He quickly falls in with the San Francisco band’s AOR direction, and appears on hits like [...]

1975 – Legendary singer and Paris sensation Josephine Baker… — 1975 – Legendary singer and Paris sensation Josephine Baker dies in France several days after a massive stroke at age 68. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – during a North American tour, Pink Floyd played the first of two nights — 1975 – during a North American tour, Pink Floyd played the first of two nights at The Cow Palace, Daly City, San Francisco, California. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – Elton John started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Philadelphia — 1975 – Elton John started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Philadelphia Freedom’, his fourth US No.1, it made No.12 in the UK. Be Sociable, [...]

1975 – David Bowie announced his second career retirement, saying, ‘I’ve rocked — 1975 – David Bowie announced his second career retirement, saying, ‘I’ve rocked my roll. It’s a boring dead end, there will be no more rock ‘n’ roll records from me.’ Be [...]

1973 – The film “That’ll Be the Day,” starring D… — 1973 – The film “That’ll Be the Day,” starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, premieres in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – The film ‘That’ll Be The Day’, premiered in London, featuring David Essex, Ringo Starr — 1973 – The film ‘That’ll Be The Day’, premiered in London, featuring David Essex, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Billy Fury and Dave Edmunds. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – The Rolling Stones release Exile on Main Street. — 1972 – The Rolling Stones release Exile on Main Street. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention play… — 1968 – Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention play the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences dinner in New York. Zappa tells the audience, “All year [...]

1969 – A million hearts are broken when Paul McCartney… — 1969 – A million hearts are broken when Paul McCartney marries Linda Eastman. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – The 5th Dimension started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1969 – The 5th Dimension started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In’, a No.11 hit in the UK. Be [...]

1967 – Country Joe & the Fish perform at San Francisco’s Golden Gate… — 1967 – Country Joe & the Fish perform at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on the eve on a Vietnam War protest march. The next day 100,000 people [...]

1967 – Mick Jagger was punched in the face by an airport official during — 1967 – Mick Jagger was punched in the face by an airport official during a row at Le Bourget Airport in France. Jagger lost his temper after The Stones were [...]

1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “(You’re My) … — 1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration,” The Righteous Brothers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Jan Berry of Jan & Dean wipes out in a car crash… — 1966 – Jan Berry of Jan & Dean wipes out in a car crash on Los Angeles’ Whittier Boulevard. The surf duo had ironically recorded a song called [...]

1966 – Jan Berry (Jan and Dean) was almost killed when he crashed his car into a — 1966 – Jan Berry (Jan and Dean) was almost killed when he crashed his car into a parked truck in Los Angeles; he was partially paralysed and suffered brain damage. [...]

1963 – Bob Dylan performs a solo concert at New York’s… — 1963 – Bob Dylan performs a solo concert at New York’s Town Hall. It’s recorded by CBS for a planned live album, but the disc is never released. [...]

1962 – Chubby Checker married Catharina Lodders a Dutch beauty Queen who — 1962 – Chubby Checker married Catharina Lodders a Dutch beauty Queen who was the winner of Miss World in this year. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1961 – Ray Charles wins four Grammys, including Be… — 1961 -  wins four Grammys, including Best Male Vocal Performance for “Georgia on My Mind.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1955 – Fats Domino releases “Ain’t That a Shame.” — 1955 – Fats Domino releases “Ain’t That a Shame.” On this day in rock. Ain’t That A Shame -Artist: Pat Boone from “Pat Boone’s Greatest Hits”-MCA: MCAC 10885 -peak Billboard position #1 for [...]

1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets’ first session for … — 1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets’ first session for Decca Records produces “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock.” The success of this song is considered by many to mark [...]

1954 – Joe Turner releases his rendition of “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” — 1954 – Joe Turner releases his rendition of “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – John Kaye (Steppenwolf) is born this day in Rock History! — 1944 – John Kaye (Steppenwolf) is born this day in Rock History! John Kay (Joachim Krauledat) of Steppenwolf is born in Tilsit, Germany. The group’s biggest hit is the 1968 [...]

1940 – Jazz artist Herbie Hancock is born. He wins… — 1940 – Jazz artist Herbie Hancock is born. He wins an Academy Award in 1987 for the score to “Round Midnight.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1940 – The intensely smooth Al Jarreau is born in Milwaukee. — 1940 – The intensely smooth Al Jarreau is born in Milwaukee. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1933 -Tiny Tim first comes tiptoeing through the tulips… — 1933 -Tiny Tim first comes tiptoeing through the tulips, with Edwardian novelty songs and ukelele in tow, in New York. His real name is Herbert Khaury. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1921 – Blues singer Shakey Jake Harris is born… — 1921 – Blues singer Shakey Jake Harris is born today in Earle, Ark. He was given the name because of his way of throwing dice. His albums included [...]

1909 – Jazz bandleader and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton… — 1909 – Jazz bandleader and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton is born in Louisville, Ky. His keenly swinging music is said to have helped invent rock ‘n’ roll rhythms. Be Sociable, [...]