Rock History

On this day...

2012 – Stevie Wonder donated $100,000 to girl Battling Cancer on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2012 – Stevie Wonder donated $100,000 to girl Battling Cancer on This Day in Rock Music History! Stevie was performing at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, and invited the little [...]

2010 – Lennon’s ‘Abbey Road’ suit among auction items — 2010 – Lennon’s ‘Abbey Road’ suit among auction items NORWALK, Conn. – The white, two-piece suit John Lennon wore on the cover of the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album will be among [...]

2006 – Dave Clark Five saxophonist Denis Payton di… — 2006 – Dave Clark Five saxophonist Denis Payton dies at age 63 after a long illness. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – U2 had the top-grossing tour of 2005, according to an end-of-year chart compiled — 2005 – U2 had the top-grossing tour of 2005, according to an end-of-year chart compiled by US magazine Billboard. More than three million people watched the band’s sell-out 90-date Vertigo [...]

2004 – Band Aid 20 remain at No. 1 in the UK for the third straight — 2004 – Band Aid 20 remain at No. 1 in the UK for the third straight week with “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” securing the much-coveted title of Christmas No. [...]

2004 – P J Harvey announces “This is the last show I will ever play” wh — 2004 – P J Harvey announces “This is the last show I will ever play” while headlining a show at Paris’ Studio 287. In a bizarre coincidence, London rockers The [...]

2004 – Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley agreed to sell 85% of his estate — 2004 – Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley agreed to sell 85% of his estate to businessman Robert Sillerman in a deal worth $100m. Sillerman would run Presley’s Memphis home [...]

2003 – Moody alt.rockers Remy Zero, whose song “Save Me” became the theme — 2003 – Moody alt.rockers Remy Zero, whose song “Save Me” became the theme for the WB TV drama Smallville, split. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – American Idol winner Ruben Studdard tops the charts with his — 2003 – American Idol winner Ruben Studdard tops the charts with his debut album Soulful. The second highest new entry is Phillie soul star Musiq with his album, er, Soulstar, [...]

2003 – Rapper Nas is charged with assault stemming… — 2003 – Rapper Nas is charged with assault stemming from a Dec. 10 altercation in a New York nightclub. It is reported that the artist, whose real name is Nasir [...]

2002 – Country artist Brad Paisley appears as a sp… — 2002 – Country artist Brad Paisley appears as a special guest on the ABC sitcom According to Jim, staring Jim Belushi. The episode, titled “The Brother-In-Law,” follows a September visit [...]

2001 – German opera singer Martha Moedl, who rose … — 2001 – German opera singer Martha Moedl, who rose to international fame with her performances of Wagner in the 1950s and 1960s, dies at a hospital in Stuttgart, Germany, after [...]

2001 – Bianca Halstead, lead singer of the rock ba… — 2001 – Bianca Halstead, lead singer of the rock band Betty Blowtorch, dies while riding in a speeding car that goes out of control and crashes on Interstate 10 near [...]

2000 – According to one Internet hoax, rapper Eminem was alleged to h — 2000 – According to one Internet hoax, rapper Eminem was alleged to have died today in a car crash. A fake CNN News page appeared on the Web trumpeting his [...]

2000 – Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey of K-Ci & JoJo allegedly exposes his JoJos a — 2000 – Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey of K-Ci & JoJo allegedly exposes his JoJos at a Los Angeles radio show. 150 people leave the Shrine Auditorium after K-Ci drops trou. Be Sociable, [...]

1999 – When an autograph hunter hands Keith Richards a guitar — 1999 – When an autograph hunter hands Keith Richards a guitar to sign outside New York’s Russian Tea Room, the Rolling Stone walks off with the instrument. The victim opts [...]

1999 – Grover Washington Jr. dies after collapsing in a CBS — 1999 – Grover Washington Jr. dies after collapsing in a CBS dressing room. His biggest hit was “Just the Two of Us” with Bill Withers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Singing cowboy Rex Allen Sr. dies in Tucson… — 1999 – Singing cowboy Rex Allen Sr. dies in Tucson, Ariz., when his caregiver accidentally hits him with a car in his driveway. He is 78. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Grammy winning producer Andy Wiswell dies o… — 1999 – Grammy winning producer Andy Wiswell dies of a short illness at his home in Aikens, S.C. He is 94. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – Crossover jazz saxophonist Grover Washingto… — 1999 – Crossover jazz saxophonist Grover Washington collapses and dies in New York after taping a performance for CBS’s “The Saturday Early Show.” He is 56. The show airs the [...]

1997 – President Clinton signs into law the No Ele… — 1997 – President Clinton signs into law the No Electronic Theft Act, closing a loophole that had protected individuals who claimed they took no direct financial gains from stealing copyrighted [...]

1997 – David Bowie launched his BowieNet on the Internet. — 1997 – David Bowie launched his BowieNet on the Internet. http://www.davidbowie.com/ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Two of Charlie Daniels’ band members show r… — 1996 – Two of Charlie Daniels’ band members show real dedication to the road by scheduling outpatient surgical procedures to coincide with a procedure Daniels is having. Bass player Charlie [...]

1996 – Irish singer, Ruby Murray, who had five hit… — 1996 – Irish singer, Ruby Murray, who had five hit records in the top 20 in the ’50s, dies. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – At a press conference, Celine Dion admits t… — 1996 – At a press conference, Celine Dion admits that a hectic recording and touring schedule has kept her from her ultimate goal of becoming a mother. The Canadian diva [...]

1995 – Sting and wife Trudie Styler welcome a son,… — 1995 – Sting and wife Trudie Styler welcome a son, Giacomo Luke, in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – a statue of the late Frank Zappa was unveiled in Vilnius, the capital — 1995 – a statue of the late Frank Zappa was unveiled in Vilnius, the capital of the Republic Of Lithuania. It had been organised by Zappa fan club President Saulius [...]

1994 – a remixed version of The Four Seasons’ “December, 1963 (Oh — 1994 – a remixed version of The Four Seasons’ “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)” re-entered the US Hot 100, where it stayed for another 27 weeks, just as it [...]

1992 – Keith Richards performs with his band the X-Pensive — 1992 – Keith Richards performs with his band the X-Pensive Winos at London’s Town & Country Club. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – Paula Abdul performs at the America Has Heart benefit — 1989 – Paula Abdul performs at the America Has Heart benefit in Universal City, Calif. The concert raises money for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which is currently feeling [...]

1987 – Robert Plant plays with his old group, the Band of Joy, in Folk — 1987 – Robert Plant plays with his old group, the Band of Joy, in Folkestone, England. Plant performs Led Zeppelin numbers as a solo artist for the first time, including [...]

1986 – The Doobie Brothers play a reunion concert in Palo — 1986 – The Doobie Brothers play a reunion concert in Palo Alto, Calif., to benefit charity. . Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – Paul and Linda McCartney’s limousine catches fire while — 1986 – Paul and Linda McCartney’s limousine catches fire while the couple drives to Newcastle, England for a television taping. The McCartneys escape unharmed. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – Walter Scott of the R&B vocal quintet the Whisper — 1983 – Walter Scott of the R&B vocal quintet the Whispers (“Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong”) dies. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – The Who perform one of their first last farewell concert — 1982 – The Who perform one of their first last farewell concerts at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. Rock fans everywhere purchase the concert on pay-per-view. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – Fifteen-year-old Christopher Tyrer sees the metal group Saxon — 1981 – Fifteen-year-old Christopher Tyrer sees the metal group Saxon in Wolverhampton, England and head-bangs along to their set. When he wakes up the following morning, Tyrer discovers that he [...]

1978 – Born on this day, Neil Christopher, drummer — 1978 – Born on this day, Neil Christopher, drummer, Three Days Grace. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Le Freak,” … — 1978 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Le Freak,” Chic. The single sells more than 4 million copies, making it the best selling single from Atlantic Records. Be Sociable, [...]

1971 – At Harlem’s Apollo Theater, John Lennon and Yoko Ono — 1971 – At Harlem’s Apollo Theater, John Lennon and Yoko Ono appear at a benefit for the families of victims of the Attica State Prison riots. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – The Beach Boys perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall by — 1970 – The Beach Boys perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall by Princess Margaret’s royal command. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – John Lennon tells the world he’s organizing a peace — 1969 – John Lennon tells the world he’s organizing a peace festival in Toronto to take place in July 1970. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Leaving on a… — 1969 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” Peter, Paul & Mary. The song is the final single from the group and the only to [...]

1968 – Pink Floyd release “Point Met At the Sky” in England. It’s their fourth — 1968 – Pink Floyd release “Point Met At the Sky” in England. It’s their fourth 45, and their last single release in the UK for 11 years. Candy, a film [...]

1967 – In London, John Lennon and George Harrison hold a party for — 1967 – In London, John Lennon and George Harrison hold a party for the area secretaries of the Official Beatles Fan Club. The guests are treated to sneak previews of [...]

1966 – Country Joe & the Fish perform at a Benefit for Legalization — 1966 – Country Joe & the Fish perform at a Benefit for Legalization of Marijuana at San Francisco’s California Hall. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1961 – Sarah Dallin, a member of Bananarama, is born in Bristol, England. — 1961 – Sarah Dallin, a member of Bananarama, is born in Bristol, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1960 – returning from Hamburg, The Beatles appeared at the Casbah Coffee Club — 1960 – returning from Hamburg, The Beatles appeared at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool. Chas Newby joined The Beatles on bass guitar (to replace Stuart Sutcliffe, who had remained [...]

1959 – Born on this day, Bob Stinson, guitar, The Replacements — 1959 – Born on this day, Bob Stinson, guitar, The Replacements died of an accidental drug overdose, (1984 album ‘Let It Be’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills is born in Orange, Calif. — 1958 – R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills is born in Orange, Calif. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Mike Mills of R.E.M. is born. The group’s b… — 1958 – Mike Mills of R.E.M. is born. The group’s best selling album is 1991′s “Out of Time,” which sells more than 3 million copies. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1955 – No. 1 in the pop and country charts today is Tennessee Ernie — 1955 – No. 1 in the pop and country charts today is Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1953 – The Emotions’ vocalist Sheila Hutchinson is born in Chicago — 1953 – The Emotions’ vocalist Sheila Hutchinson is born in Chicago exactly two years after her sister Wanda. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Wanda Hutchinson, a vocalist in the Emotions with her s — 1951 – Wanda Hutchinson, a vocalist in the Emotions with her sisters Sheila and Jeanette, is born in Chicago. The Emotions’ biggest hit was the 1977 No. 1 “Best of [...]

1950 – Reggae drummer Carlton “Carlie” Barrett is born. He went — 1950 – Reggae drummer Carlton “Carlie” Barrett is born. He went on to perform behind Bob Marley on many of his most influential records. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Paul Rodgers, whose hard-rockin’ tones have graced records — 1949 – Paul Rodgers, whose hard-rockin’ tones have graced records by Free and Bad Company, is born in Middlesborough, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1948 – Jim Bonfanti, drummer with the Raspberries, is born in — 1948 – Jim Bonfanti, drummer with the Raspberries, is born in Windber, Pa. Curved Air violinist Darryl Way is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Dave “Dee” Harman of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, — 1943 – Dave “Dee” Harman of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mich & Tich is born in Salisbury, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Paul Butterfield, whose Sixties band was largely responsible — 1942 – Paul Butterfield, whose Sixties band was largely responsible for white musicians’ embrace of the blues during that time, is born in Chicago. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Bluesman Paul Butterfield is born in Chicag… — 1942 – Bluesman Paul Butterfield is born in Chicago. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1940 – Eddie Kendricks, the Temptation whose lead vocals appeared — 1940 – Eddie Kendricks, the Temptation whose lead vocals appeared on hits like “My Girl,” is born in Birmingham, Ala. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Flamboyant New Orleans R&B pianist James Booker III, who — 1939 – Flamboyant New Orleans R&B pianist James Booker III, who used to drive up to the stage at festival appearances in a Rolls Royce, is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1937 – Neville Brothers vocalist and keyboardist Art Neville — 1937 – Neville Brothers vocalist and keyboardist Art Neville is born in New Orleans. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1936 – Tommy Steele, the pop vocalist who had one of England’s fi — 1936 – Tommy Steele, the pop vocalist who had one of England’s first homegrown rock hits with “Rock with the Caveman,” is born in Bermondsey. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1894 – Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler is bor… — 1894 – Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler is born in Boston. He joins the Boston Pops Orchestra about 1915 as a viola player and begins conducting the group in 1930, [...]