Rock History

On this day...

2010 – Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was voted the greatest ‘lighter in the air song of all time’ by lighter company Zippo on This Day in Rock Music History!. — 2010 – Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was voted the greatest ‘lighter in the air song of all time’ by lighter company Zippo on This Day in Rock Music History!. Led Zeppelin’s [...]

2007 – A report showed that two-thirds of young people who regularly used — 2007 - A report showed that two-thirds of young people who regularly used MP3 players faced premature hearing damage. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People said its findings were alarming [...]

2007 – A new study revealed that rock stars were twice as likely to die — 2007 - A new study revealed that rock stars were twice as likely to die early as the rest of us. Researchers said that the problem was so bad the industry [...]

2005 – Mariah Carey wins best solo single and album for The Emancipation — 2005 – Mariah Carey wins best solo single and album for The Emancipation of Mimi at the Lady of Soul awards, which also honors Aretha Franklin for career achievement. Be [...]

2005 – New York rock club CBGB is served with an eviction notice — 2005 – New York rock club CBGB is served with an eviction notice by their landlord. The landmark was the cradle for New York punk, hosting gigs by The Ramones, [...]

2005 – Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey and Ciara div… — 2005 – Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey and Ciara divvie up the wealth at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, taking home two trophies apiece. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – Rapper Kanye West’s second album Late Registration — 2005 – Rapper Kanye West’s second album Late Registration enters the U.S. albums chart at No. 1. The second highest debut is Tony Yayo’s solo album Thoughts of a Predicate [...]

2004 – Reggae artists Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel are stripped — 2004 – Reggae artists Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel are stripped of their nominations in the Music of Black Origin awards after refusing to apologize for anti-gay lyrics. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Scottish alternative rock act Franz Ferdina… — 2004 – Scottish alternative rock act Franz Ferdinand wins the 2004 Nationwide Mercury Prize with its eponymous debut album. The annual music-industry award, recognizing the U.K. or Irish album of [...]

2003 – Jamie McDonald, guitarist with South, breaks his wrist — 2003 – Jamie McDonald, guitarist with South, breaks his wrist in a soccer match. The UK rockers postpone their American tour. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – California rap/breakdance crew Black Eyed Peas top — 2003 – California rap/breakdance crew Black Eyed Peas top the U.K. chart with the Justin Timberlake-assisted single “Where is the Love.” The No. 1 album remains the Darkness’ Permission to [...]

2003 – US singer, songwriter, Warren Zevon died. He had worked as a session musician on This Day in Rock! — 2003 – US singer, songwriter, Warren Zevon died. He had worked as a session musician on This Day in Rock! He played the piano was and band leader for the [...]

2003 – Singer/songwriter Warren Zevon dies in Los … — 2003 – Singer/songwriter Warren Zevon dies in Los Angeles. He is 56. Zevon was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in August of the previous year. A spokesperson for the artist [...]

2002 – R&B artist Erma Franklin, who sang backup f… — 2002 – R&B artist Erma Franklin, who sang backup for her better-known sister Aretha, dies of cancer in Detroit. She is 64. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot… — 2002 – Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, 63, is rushed to the hospital with an undisclosed stomach illness, just hours before he is due to perform in his hometown of Gorilla, [...]

2000 – After TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes misses a family barbecue — 2000 – After TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes misses a family barbecue and a Las Vegas press conference, concerns grow for her whereabouts. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Eminem, ‘N Sync, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers take home — 2000 – Eminem, ‘N Sync, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers take home three awards apiece at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Police take Rage Against the Machine’s bassist, [...]

2000 – Rage Against The Machine bassist Timothy Co… — 2000 – Rage Against The Machine bassist Timothy Commerford pleads guilty to charges of assault and disorderly conduct in a Manhattan court, and is sentenced to time served, stemming from [...]

2000 – ‘N Sync prove themselves the kings of pop w… — 2000 – ‘N Sync prove themselves the kings of pop when they take home three “Moon Man” trophies _ including best pop video and the viewers’ choice award _ during [...]

1997 – The Beatles’ longtime press officer Derek Taylor dies — 1997 – The Beatles’ longtime press officer Derek Taylor dies of cancer at age 65. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Michael Jackson played the first date on the HIStory World Tour, his third solo world concert tour, at Letna Park, Prague in the Czech Republic on This Day in Rock. — 1996 – Michael Jackson played the first date on the HIStory World Tour, his third solo world concert tour, at Letna Park, Prague in the Czech Republic on This Day [...]

1996 – Composer Niccolo Castiglioni dies at the ag… — 1996 – Composer Niccolo Castiglioni dies at the age of 64. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – After a Pink Floyd gig in Prague, Dave Gilmour meets — 1994 – After a Pink Floyd gig in Prague, Dave Gilmour meets with Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1992 – Roger Waters releases his solo album Amused — 1992 – Roger Waters releases his solo album Amused to Death this day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – A Roger Waters-less Pink Floyd kick off their Momentary Lapse — 1987 – A Roger Waters-less Pink Floyd kick off their Momentary Lapse of Reason tour in Ottawa. Relations between Waters, who left the band in 1983, and the other three [...]

1986 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Take My Brea… — 1986 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Take My Breath Away,” Berlin. The song, which is featured in the film “Top Gun,” wins an Oscar as best original song. [...]

1985 – David Bowie and Mick Jagger were at No.1 on the UK singes chart with their version of the Martha Reeves and The Vandellas 1964 hit ‘Dancing In The Street.’ on This Day in Rock! — 1985 – David Bowie and Mick Jagger were at No.1 on the UK singes chart with their version of the Martha Reeves and The Vandellas 1964 hit ‘Dancing In The [...]

1978 – Sid Vicious kicks off his solo career with a show at Max’s — 1978 – Sid Vicious kicks off his solo career with a show at Max’s Kansas City in New York. See Sid & Nancy for more gruesome details. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – Keith Moon’s hell-raising days come to an end in London where he dies — 1978 – Keith Moon’s hell-raising days come to an end in London where he dies. He overdoses on the prescription drug Hemenephirin. Moon was using the medicine to cure his [...]

1978 – Keith Moon, drummer with The Who, died of a overdose of heminevrin prescribed to combat alcoholism on This Day in Rock Music History. — 1978 – Keith Moon, drummer with The Who, died of a overdose of heminevrin prescribed to combat alcoholism on This Day in Rock Music History. A post-mortem confirmed there were [...]

1976 – Paul McCartney, who earlier purchased right… — 1976 – Paul McCartney, who earlier purchased rights to Buddy Holly’s song catalog, commemorates Holly’s 40th Birthdays with the inauguration of “Buddy Holly Week” in the U.K. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – The Guess Who say good-bye – at least for this — 1975 – The Guess Who say good-bye – at least for this decade – with a final show in Montreal. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – The MGM Records president resigns at the tender age of 28 — 1973 – The MGM Records president resigns at the tender age of 28. Curb went on to become California’s lieutenant governor. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Elton John performs at the Hollywood Bowl, … — 1973 – Elton John performs at the Hollywood Bowl, where he’s introduced by porn star Linda Lovelace. Linda “Deep Throat” Lovelace. She whips up the crowd by introducing the pianist as [...]

1971 – David Bowie started recording sessions at Trident Studios in London on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1971 – David Bowie started recording sessions at Trident Studios in London on This Day in Rock Music History! This became the concept album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy [...]

1968 – The Doors’ third album, Waiting for the Sun, tops the albums — 1968 – The Doors’ third album, Waiting for the Sun, tops the albums chart on the back of the No. 1 single “Hello, I Love You.” Rolling Stone‘s Jim Miller [...]

1968 – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham made their live debut as Led Zeppelin but billed as Yard Birds (sic) at Teen Club Box 45 in Gladsaxe (a suburb in the outskirts of Copenhagen), Denmark on This Day in Rock Music History. — 1968 – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham made their live debut as Led Zeppelin but billed as Yard Birds (sic) at Teen Club Box 45 [...]

1968 – The Doors played the first of two nights at The Roundhouse on This Day in Rock! — 1968 – The Doors played the first of two nights at The Roundhouse on This Day in Rock! London, playing 2 shows a night on their first UK visit. Granada [...]

1968 – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham made — 1968 - Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham made their live debut as Led Zeppelin at Teen Club Box 45 in Gladsaxe in Denmark. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – Bob Dylan releases his single “Positively 4th Street.” Hot — 1965 – Bob Dylan releases his single “Positively 4th Street.” Hot on the heels of his hit “Like a Rolling Stone,” it goes to No. 7 on the American singles [...]

1963 – The Rolling Stones’ first single, “Come On,” limps to No. 21. — 1963 – The Rolling Stones’ first single, “Come On,” limps to No. 21. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – The Beatles go to No. 1 in England with “She Loves You.” — 1963 – The Beatles go to No. 1 in England with “She Loves You.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1960 – Born on this day, Brad Houser, Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, — 1960 - Born on this day, Brad Houser, Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, (1989 UK No.31 single ‘What I Am’, also a 1999 hit for Spice Girl Emma Bunton). Be Sociable, [...]

1959 – Some 15,000 people crowd the Michigan State Fair — 1959 – Some 15,000 people crowd the Michigan State Fair to see Dick Clark’s latest package tour, which features Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, the Coasters, Lou Rawls, and Bobby Rydell. Be [...]

1957 – Margot Chapman, who felt the “Afternoon Delight” with the — 1957 – Margot Chapman, who felt the “Afternoon Delight” with the Starland Vocal Band, is born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – Benmont Tench, keyboardist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreaker — 1954 – Benmont Tench, keyboardist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, is born in Gainesville, Fla. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Chrissie Hynde, the lead Pretender, is born in Akron, Ohio. — 1951 – Chrissie Hynde, the lead Pretender, is born in Akron, Ohio. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Singer Gloria Gaynor (“I Will Survive”) i… — 1949 – Singer Gloria Gaynor (“I Will Survive”) is born in Newark, N.J. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Alfa Anderson, a vocalist who sang on most of Chic’s — 1946 – Alfa Anderson, a vocalist who sang on most of Chic’s hits, as well as with Bryan Adams and Joe Piscopo, is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1940 – Pop/country vocalist Ronnie Dove (“Right or Wrong”) is born — 1940 – Pop/country vocalist Ronnie Dove (“Right or Wrong”) is born in Herndon, Va. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Soul singer Latimore is born in Charleston, Tenn. His — 1939 – Soul singer Latimore is born in Charleston, Tenn. His hits included “Let’s Straighten It Out.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1936 – Buddy Holly (Charles Hardin Holley) is born… — 1936 – Buddy Holly (Charles Hardin Holley) is born in Lubbock, Texas. Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959)[1] was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of [...]

1934 – Born on this day, Little Milton, US blues singer guitarist — 1934 - Born on this day, Little Milton, US blues singer guitarist, (1965 US No.25 single ‘We’re Gonna Make It’). Milton died on 4th August 2005. Be Sociable, Share! [...]