Rock History

On this day...

2013 – Elvis Presley and The Beatles top the list of most-forged celebrity signatures on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2013 – Elvis Presley and The Beatles top the list of most-forged celebrity signatures on This Day in Rock Music History! An Unprecedented less than half of their autographs for sale [...]

2011 – Shania Twain weds exec Thiebaud in Puerto Rico — 2011 – Shania Twain weds exec Thiebaud in Puerto Rico SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Country singer Shania Twain and businessman Frederic Thiebaud tied the knot Saturday in a New [...]

2011 – Rock n’ Roll takes it’s toll… Agent: Chuck Berry suffered from exhaustion — 2011 – Rock n’ Roll takes it’s toll… Agent: Chuck Berry suffered from exhaustion CHICAGO – An agent for Chuck Berry says exhaustion was the reason the rock-and-roll legend felt ill [...]

2008 – the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) reported that the number of music — 2008 – the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) reported that the number of music downloads sold in the UK in the final week of 2007 was double the total of 12 [...]

2007 – Queen beat The Beatles to be crowned greatest British band of all — 2007 – Queen beat The Beatles to be crowned greatest British band of all time by BBC Radio 2 listeners in the UK. They pipped the Fab Four in a [...]

2006 – Singer-guitarist Bryan Harvey of ’80s duo House of Freaks — 2006 – Singer-guitarist Bryan Harvey of ’80s duo House of Freaks is found dead with his family in his Richmond, Va., home. Bandmate Johnny Hott summoned police after arriving for [...]

2006 – Eminem’s Curtain Call best of stays atop the U.K. albums chart — 2006 – Eminem’s Curtain Call best of stays atop the U.K. albums chart, while X-Factor winner Shayne Ward’s “That’s My Goal” is the No. 1 single. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – in most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic po — Bill Haley & His Comets 2005 – in most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock-and-roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including Bill Haley’s ‘Rock [...]

2004 – Singer, actor, and all-around Gallic hero Charles Aznavour (“Yesterday — 2004 – Singer, actor, and all-around Gallic hero Charles Aznavour (“Yesterday When I Was Young”) is named a commander of the French Legion of Honour. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Norwegian singer Kurt Nilsen wins the World Idol crown in a — 2004 – Norwegian singer Kurt Nilsen wins the World Idol crown in a televised final after singing U2′s “Beautiful Day.” Among the contestants was American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson. Be Sociable, [...]

2002 – Veteran rock guitarist Eric Clapton marries… — 2002 – Veteran rock guitarist Eric Clapton marries Melia McEnery, his 25-year-old American girlfriend, in a private ceremony that includes the christening of his two daughters, one of whom is [...]

2002 – R&B singers Kenny Latimore and Chante Moore… — 2002 – R&B singers Kenny Latimore and Chante Moore are married in Jamaica. It is the second marriage for Moore, who was previously married to actor Kadeem Hardison. Be Sociable, [...]

2002 – No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani accepts t… — 2002 – No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani accepts the marriage proposal of Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Former pop star Shakin’ Stevens (Michael Ba… — 2002 – Former pop star Shakin’ Stevens (Michael Barret) is arrested in the early hours in Gloucestershire, England for drunk driving. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Bee Gees members Barry, Robin, and Maurice … — 2002 – Bee Gees members Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb are among those named by the Queen to the New Year Honours list. The Gibb brothers each receive a CBE [...]

2002 – Bush leader Gavin Rossdale proposes to his longtime girlfriend — 2002 – Bush leader Gavin Rossdale proposes to his longtime girlfriend Gwen Stefani of No Doubt. She says “Yes.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Newcomer Alicia Keys wins awards in five of the six Grammy — 2002 – Newcomer Alicia Keys wins awards in five of the six Grammy categories she’s been nominated for. Her debut disc, Songs In A Minor dominates the annual affair. Be Sociable, [...]

2000 – Former Beatle George Harrison is discharged… — 2000 – Former Beatle George Harrison is discharged from the hospital to enjoy what is left of the New Year celebrations at home with his family after having been stabbed [...]

2000 – George Harrison leaves hospital following a knife attack at his — 2000 – George Harrison leaves hospital following a knife attack at his English mansion by a crazed fan. Doctors tell him that he will be able to play the guitar [...]

1999 – Alyssa Milano weds Cinjun August Tate of Re… — 1999 – Alyssa Milano weds Cinjun August Tate of Remy Zero in Louisiana. The star of the WB TV series “Charmed” marries Tate at a plantation home, Rosewood, near Baton [...]

1999 – Club Days (Van Halen) is released this day in rock history! — 1999 – Club Days (Van Halen) is released this day in rock history! Release date: 1999-01-01 Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – Acclaimed folksinger Townes Van Zandt dies aged 52 — 1997 – Acclaimed folksinger Townes Van Zandt dies aged 52. The Cowboy Junkies, Merle Haggard and Steve Earle have covered his songs. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – Townes Van Zandt, the singer-songwriter who… — 1997 – Townes Van Zandt, the singer-songwriter who wrote the country hits “If I Needed You” and “Pancho and Lefty” and gained a cult following for his blues-inspired recordings about [...]

1997 – Many fans at the Three Tenors New Year’s Ev… — 1997 – Many fans at the Three Tenors New Year’s Eve concert at Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium are angered and disappointed when Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavorotti leave [...]

1995 – Street musician turned genuine blues hero Ted Hawkins —   1995 – Street musician turned genuine blues hero Ted Hawkins dies of a stroke in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1994 – Music weekly Melody Makers Top singles of 1993; No.3 Pulp, ‘Razzamtazz’ — 1994 – Music weekly Melody Makers Top singles of 1993; No.3 Pulp, ‘Razzamtazz’, No.2, Radiohead ‘Creep’ and No.1 The Breeders, ‘Cannonball’. Top 3 albums, ‘Star’ by Belly No.3, Afghan Whigs [...]

1991 – Buck Ram, who produced records by the Penguins and the Platters — 1991 – Buck Ram, who produced records by the Penguins and the Platters, dies aged 73 in Las Vegas. He also wrote the Platters’ great hit “Only You.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – The ABBA back catalog is sold to Polygram International. — 1990 – The ABBA back catalog is sold to Polygram International. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – Live Without a Net (Van Halen) is released this day in rock history! — 1989 – Live Without a Net (Van Halen) is released this day in rock history! Release date: 1989-01-01 Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1985 – VH-1 premieres as an adult contemporary mus… — 1985 – VH-1 premieres as an adult contemporary music video channel with Marvin Gaye’s “Star Spangled Banner” video. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – Alexis Korner, whose band Blues Incorporated gave many English —   1984 – Alexis Korner, whose band Blues Incorporated gave many English musicians their start in the business, dies aged 55 of lung cancer in London. Among Incorporated’s alumni are Mick [...]

1982 – ABBA make their final live appearance at a Stockholm — 1982 – ABBA make their final live appearance at a Stockholm concert on this day in rock! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Singer Cliff Richard (“Devil Woman”) becomes only the third — 1980 – Singer Cliff Richard (“Devil Woman”) becomes only the third British rock act to receive an MBE from the Queen of England. The other two are the Beatles and [...]

1977 – Former gay disco the Roxy opens again as a punk club — 1977 – Former gay disco the Roxy opens again as a punk club in London. The Clash headline. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant walks unassisted for — 1976 – Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant walks unassisted for the first time since his August 1975 car accident in Greece. “I’m going to need physiotherapy so I should think [...]

1975- Born on this day, Thomas Bangaltier, Daft Punk, 1997 UK No.5 — 1975- Born on this day, Thomas Bangaltier, Daft Punk, Keys, piano… 1997 UK No.5 single ‘Around The World’, remixed Gabrielle, Chemical Brothers. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – The Grateful Dead and Big Brother & the Holding Company — 1967 – The Grateful Dead and Big Brother & the Holding Company perform at the New Year’s Wail/Whale in San Francisco. Hell’s Angels hosts the bash to thank Haight-Ashbury hippies [...]

1967 – Gary Lewis of the Playboys is drafted into … — 1967 – Gary Lewis of the Playboys is drafted into the U.S. Army. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Amelia Fletcher, vocalist with Talulah Gosh, Heavenly — 1966 – Amelia Fletcher, vocalist with Talulah Gosh, Heavenly and Welsh pop pranksters the Pooh Sticks, is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – The New Musical Express reports that the Nashville Teens —   1965 – The New Musical Express reports that the Nashville Teens, the Zombies and the Hullabaloos have all been denied work visas that would permit them to perform in the [...]

1963 – The Beatles kick off a five date Scottish tour to — 1963 – The Beatles kick off a five date Scottish tour to promote their debut single “Love Me Do.” Somewhere a Decca A&R man starts kicking himself. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – The Beatles fail an audition in London for … — 1962 – The Beatles fail an audition in London for a recording contract with Decca Records. The Beatles perform their first audition for Decca Records in London. However, the company’s [...]

1958 – Joseph Saddler, better known as the pioneering rapper Grandmaster — 1958 – Joseph Saddler, better known as the pioneering rapper Grandmaster Flash, is born in Barbados. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Saddler) is born … — 1958 – Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Saddler) is born in New York. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – Diane Warren, US songwriter. is born on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1956 – Diane Warren, US songwriter. is born on This Day in Rock Music History! Warren has written over 80 US Top 20 hits including; Aerosmith, ‘I Don’t Want To [...]

1953 – Reggae singer Alpha Blondy is born in Dimbokora — 1953 – Reggae singer Alpha Blondy is born in Dimbokora, Cote d’Ivoire. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1953 – Country music singer Hank Williams dies whi… — 1953 – Country music singer Hank Williams dies while on his way to a concert in Canton, Ohio. His 1953 song “Your Cheating Heart” is inducted into the Grammy Hall [...]

1950 – Morgan Fisher is born. As well as playing keyboards for English — 1950 – Morgan Fisher is born. As well as playing keyboards for English acts like the Love Affair and Mott the Hoople, Fisher also produced albums by the Dead Kennedys, [...]

1945 – Born on this day, Jim Gordon, American drummer, one of the most requested session — 1945 – Born on this day, Jim Gordon, American drummer, one of the most requested session drummers in the late 1960s and 1970s. Gordon co-wrote Layla with Eric [...]

1942 – Singer Joe McDonald of Country Joe & the Fi… — 1942 – Singer Joe McDonald of Country Joe & the Fish is born in El Monte, Calif. Be Sociable, Share! [...]