Rock History

On this day...

2008 – Alicia Keys was at No.1 on the US album chart with her — Alicia Keys 2008 -  Alicia Keys was at No.1 on the US album chart with her third album ‘As I Am.’ The album sold over 742,000 copies in its first week [...]

2007 – The Rolling Stones topped the US music rich list for the second year runnin — Rolling Stones 2007 – The Rolling Stones topped the US music rich list for the second year running after making $150.6m (£76.2m) in 2006. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were second [...]

2006 – Babyshambles singer/addict… — Guitarist Pete Doherty 2006 – Babyshambles singer/addict and occasional Kate Moss squeeze Pete Doherty is arrested twice in one day for suspicion of possessing drugs – first when police [...]

2005 – Green Day gets bumped to no. 2 by rapper… — Green Day 2005 – Hyped rapper The Game tops the U.S. albums chart with his debut The Documentary, knocking Green Day’s American Idiot down to No. 2. The highest [...]

2005 – The Inc.’s Irv Gotti surrenders to the FBI … — 2005 -  The Inc.’s Irv Gotti surrenders to the FBI after the federal authorities accuse their record label of being part of a criminal empire. Prosecutors say Gotti [...]

2004 – A judge orders R. Kelly to stay away from Michael Jackson… — Michael Jackson leaning out car window. 2004 – A judge orders R. Kelly to stay away from Michael Jackson when they both attend February’s Grammy Awards. Kelly faces a trial [...]

2004 – Dig!, a documentary charting… — 2004 – Dig!, a documentary charting the changing relationship between the successful group Dandy Warhols and the considerably more marginal Brian Jonestown Massacre, wins the Grand Jury Prize [...]

2004 – Jennifer Lopez and ex-squeeze Ben Affleck’s film Gigli … — Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck 2004 – Jennifer Lopez and ex-squeeze Ben Affleck’s film Gigli is nominated for nine Razzie awards for worst movie, including worst actress. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Ryan Adams breaks his wrist… — 2004 – Ryan Adams cancels the remainder of his European tour and flies back to the United States after breaking his wrist during a show in Liverpool. Be Sociable, [...]

2004 – John Lydon was one of ten contestants to take part in the latest I’m — The Sex Pistols 2004 – John Lydon was one of ten contestants to take part in the latest I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here UK TV show set in [...]

2003 – U.K. modern rock act Coldplay closes down a… — Coldplay 2003 – U.K. modern rock act Coldplay closes down a section of Los Angeles’ Hollywood Blvd. for a free performance that is broadcast live on ABC’s premiere of “The Jimmy [...]

2003 – Justin Timberlake went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his debut — Justin Timberlake 2003 – Justin Timberlake went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his debut solo album ‘Justified’, which went on to spend over a year on the UK [...]

2003 – Billy Joel was airlifted to hospital after his car smashed into a tree. — Billy Joel 2003 – Billy Joel was airlifted to hospital after his car smashed into a tree. The singer lost control of his Mercedes S500 and skidded for 100 yards before [...]

2001 – During the Big Day Out tour stop in Sydney,… — 2001 – During the Big Day Out tour stop in Sydney, a 15-year-old girl from nearby Dee Why dies from a heart attack after being caught in the surge of [...]

2001 – Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell… — 2001 – Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell becomes a dad as his girlfriend gives birth to their son, Presley. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – …woman who claimed she was going to kill Whitney Houston’s baby… — Whitney Houston 2001 – A woman who claimed she was going to kill Whitney Houston’s baby escapes from a Bronx hospital, but is turned in by her sister later that [...]

2000 – Courtney Love gets into a fight … — Courtney Love 2000 – Courtney Love gets into a fight with a photographer at the Sundance Film Festival. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Rage Against the Machine try to force… — Rage against the Machine 2000 – Rage Against the Machine try to force their way into the New York Stock Exchange. The stunt was part of a video the radical [...]

1999 – The National Transportation Safety Board co… — John Denver 1999 – The National Transportation Safety Board concludes that singer John Denver died in a 1997 airplane crash because he took off with too little fuel in one tank, [...]

1998 – In a big surprise upset at the American Mus… — 1998 – In a big surprise upset at the American Music Awards, rapper Puff Daddy loses in all five categories in which he is nominated for an award. Be Sociable, [...]

1998 – Blues drummer S.P. Leary dies at the age of… — 1998 – Blues drummer S.P. Leary dies at the age of 67 of complications from cancer. During his half-century-long career, the Texas-born musician supported such performers as T-Bone Walker, Muddy [...]

1997 – ZZ Top, James Brown and the Blues Brothers … — ZZ Top 1997 – ZZ Top, James Brown and the Blues Brothers perform at the Super Bowl XXXI halftime show. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – during a UK tour Rage Against The Machine appeared — 1993 – during a UK tour Rage Against The Machine appeared at The Underworld, Camden, London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Queen had their second UK No.1 with ‘Innuendo’. It was the — Queen 1991 – Queen had their second UK No.1 with ‘Innuendo’. It was the third longest No.1 song of all time behind The Beatles ‘Hey Jude’ and Simple Minds ‘Belfast Child’. Be [...]

1991 – German duo Enigma went to No.1 on the UK album chart with — Enigma 1991 – German duo Enigma went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘ MCMXC’ featuring the UK No. 1 single ‘Sadness Part 1′. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Cher made a special video for the troops involved in Desert — Cher 1991 – Cher made a special video for the troops involved in Desert Storm during the gulf war. Cher’s Video Canteen, featured Janet Jackson, Paul Simon, Van Halen and Bonnie [...]

1989 – Donnie Elbert, US soul singer died of a stroke aged 53 — 1989 – Donnie Elbert, US soul singer died of a stroke aged 53. (1972 US No. 22 & UK No.11 single ‘I Can’t Help Myself’, Sugar Pie Honey Bunch’). Be Sociable, [...]

1989 – Donnie Ebert dies… — 1989 – New Orleans soul singer/multi-instrumentalist Donnie Ebert, whose version of “Where Did Our Love Go” went to No. 15 in the pop charts in 1971, dies in [...]

1986 – Allen Collins from Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed his car, paralysing him from — 1986 – Allen Collins from Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed his car, paralysing him from the waist down and killing his girlfriend Debra Jean Watts. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – Michael Jackson is hospitalized with scalp … — Michael Jackson 1984 – Michael Jackson is hospitalized with scalp burns after a spark ignites his hair during filming of a Pepsi TV commercial. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Prince made his TV debut on the US show American Bandstand — Prince 1980 – Prince made his TV debut on the US show American Bandstand on this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – workers refuse to press up copies of the Buzzcocks’ 45… — 1978 – At the EMI record processing plant in Britain, workers refuse to press up copies of the Buzzcocks’ 45 “What Do I Get?” They object to the [...]

1977 – Patti Smith falls off stage… — 1977 – Patti Smith falls off stage whilst opening for Bob Seger in Tampa, Fla., injuring her vertebrae and requiring 22 stitches to her head. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Peter Green is committed… — 1977 – Peter Green, one of Fleetwood Mac’s founding guitarists, is committed to an English mental institution. Cause? He fired a pistol at a messenger who was trying [...]

1976 – The Beatles’ nine-year contract with EMI expires. — The Beatles 1976 – The Beatles’ nine-year contract with EMI expires. Didn’t they break up…? I guess EMI was in denial. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – The BBC shows a documentary on David Bowie … — David Bowie 1975 – The BBC shows a documentary on David Bowie called “Cracked Actor.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – In Austin, Texas, Bob Dylan makes… — 1975 – In Austin, Texas, Bob Dylan makes a surprise guest appearance at a Joni Mitchell concert. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – The Doobie Brothers open their first Europe… — Doobie Brothers 1974 – The Doobie Brothers open their first European tour at The Rainbow in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – Ringo Starr went to No.1 on the US singles chart with his version — Ringo Starr 1974 – Ringo Starr went to No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of the Johnny Burnette 1960 hit ‘Your Sixteen’, a No.3 hit in the UK. Be [...]

1973 – Sweet were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Blockbuster’. The — 1973 – Sweet were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Blockbuster’. The groups only UK No.1 of 15 Top 40 hits. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Want You B… — 1970 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I Want You Back,” The Jackson 5. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – John Lennon writes and records “Instant Karma”… — John Lennon 1970 – John Lennon writes and records “Instant Karma” with producer Phil Spector. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Led Zeppelin play a four-hour set … — Led Zeppelin 1969 – Led Zeppelin play a four-hour set at the Boston Tea Party. John Paul Jones remembered, “We played four and a quarter hours I think, which, [...]

1969 – In the midst of recording Let It Be… — 1969 – In the midst of recording Let It Be at the Apple Studios, the Beatles lay down a series of rock ‘n’ roll covers, including “Shake Rattle And Roll,” [...]

1967 – In the Village Voice today… — 1967 – In the Village Voice today, you can read Jack Newfield’s article “Brecht of the Jukebox, Poet of the Electric Guitar” about Bob Dylan. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – The Animals’ Eric Burdon sings lead vocals … — Eric Burdon 1966 – The Animals’ Eric Burdon sings lead vocals for Manfred Mann at a London concert. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965, during a Rolling Stones tour of Australia and New Zealand, guitarist Keith — The Rolling Stones 1965, during a Rolling Stones tour of Australia and New Zealand, guitarist Keith Richards had his shirt torn off after 50 fans invaded the stage during the gig [...]

1963 – The Beatles played two gigs, the first was at the El Rio Club/Dance — 1963 – The Beatles played two gigs, the first was at the El Rio Club/Dance Hall in Macclesfield, Cheshire, supported by Wayne Fontana and the Jets. Then The Beatles drove [...]

1963, The Rooftop Singers started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1963, The Rooftop Singers started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Walk Right In’, a No.10 hit in the UK. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – Wham!’s other half, Andrew Ridgeley, is born in Bushey, England. — 1963 – Wham!’s other half, Andrew Ridgeley, is born in Bushey, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1961 – Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with — 1961 – Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’. The singers sixth UK No.1. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – UB40 vocalist and conga player Norman Hassan is born in Birmingham, England. — 1958 – UB40 vocalist and conga player Norman Hassan is born in Birmingham, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Born on this day, Norman Hassan, percussion, UB40, (1983 — 1957 – Born on this day, Norman Hassan, percussion, UB40, (1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single ‘Red Red Wine’ and over 30 other Top 40 hit singles). Be Sociable, [...]

1956 – Buddy Holly makes his first recordings… — Buddy Holly and the Crickets 1956 – Buddy Holly makes his first recordings for Decca Records at Bradley’s Barn Studio in Nashville. He cuts “Blue Days, Black Nights,” “Don’t [...]

1955 – Edward Lodewijk “Eddie” Van Halen (born January 26, 1955), is a Dutch guitarist — 1955 – Edward Lodewijk “Eddie” Van Halen (born January 26, 1955), is a Dutch guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer most famous for being the lead guitarist and co-founder of the [...]

1951 – Born on this day, David Briggs, Little River Band, Australian group — 1951 – Born on this day, David Briggs, Little River Band, Australian group, (1978 US No.3 single ‘Reminiscing’ plus 12 other US Top 40 singles). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1950 – Paul Pena, is born… — 1950 – Paul Pena, a blues musician who wrote Steve Miller’s hit “Jet Airliner” and then became a Tuvan throat singer as documented in the film Genghis Blues, [...]

1949 – Derek Holt, bassist with the Climax Blues Band, is born in Stafford, England. — 1949 – Derek Holt, bassist with the Climax Blues Band, is born in Stafford, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1948 – Born on this day, Corky Laing, drums, Mountain, (1971 — 1948 – Born on this day, Corky Laing, drums, Mountain, (1971album ‘Nantucket Sleighride’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1945 – Born on this day, Ashley Hutchings, bass, Fairport Convention — 1945 – Born on this day, Ashley Hutchings, bass, Fairport Convention, UK folk group, (1969 UK No.21 single ‘Si Tu Dois Partir’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1945 – Bassist Ashley Hutchings, is born… — 1945 – Bassist Ashley Hutchings, one of the original members of Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span, is born in Southgate, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1934 – New Orleans musician Huey “Piano” Smith is born. His “Don’t You Just Know It” was a No. 9 hit in 1958. — 1934 – New Orleans musician Huey “Piano” Smith is born. His “Don’t You Just Know It” was a No. 9 hit in 1958. Be Sociable, Share! [...]