Rock History

On this day...

2009 – Guy Babylon, keyboard player with the Elton John Band died of a heart — 2009 – Guy Babylon, keyboard player with the Elton John Band died of a heart attack while swimming in his pool at his home in Los Angeles, California. Be [...]

2005 – During NBC’s A Concert for Hurricane Relief, rapper Kanye — 2005 – During NBC’s A Concert for Hurricane Relief, rapper Kanye West attacks President George W. Bush for not responding quickly enough to New Orleans’ flooding. “George Bush doesn’t care [...]

2004 – Imprisoned rapper Shyne (“Jimmie Choo”) sends a fax to MTV — 2004 – Imprisoned rapper Shyne (“Jimmie Choo”) sends a fax to MTV protesting his prison’s “Taliban phone rules.” The Clinton Correctional Facility denied Shyne phone privileges after it discovered he [...]

2004 – R&B singer Ciara scores her first No. 1, as “Goodies — 2004 – R&B singer Ciara scores her first No. 1, as “Goodies,” featuring rapper Petey Pablo, knocks Terror Squad’s “Lean Back” off the top spot. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Punk legends the Clash receive a lifetime achievement award — 2003 – Punk legends the Clash receive a lifetime achievement award at the GQ Men of the Year awards in London. Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay is named Most Stylish Man. Be Sociable, [...]

2003 – Fortune names Sean “P. Diddy” Combs the richest entertainer — 2003 – Fortune names Sean “P. Diddy” Combs the richest entertainer on their 40 Under 40 list of multi-millionaires. According to the magazine, Combs has made $293.7 million. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Brazilian recording artist Gilberto Gil is … — 2003 – Brazilian recording artist Gilberto Gil is honored as the 2003 Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Person of the Year. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2001 – E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons … — 2001 – E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons is forced to take an unexpected break during a concert in Asbury Park, N.J., when someone calls in a bomb threat. After [...]

2000 – Many fans leave a Def Leppard concert at the Oregon State Fair — 2000 – Many fans leave a Def Leppard concert at the Oregon State Fair disappointed. The band was accused of playing too quietly, in order to obey local noise ordinances. [...]

2000 – Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, and Angie S… — 2000 – Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, and Angie Stone each take home two trophies at the 2000 Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards, held at the Santa Monica, Calif., [...]

1997 – Sir Rudolph Bing, the autocratic impressari… — 1997 – Sir Rudolph Bing, the autocratic impressario who propelled New York’s Metropolitan Opera to new heights in popularity and artistic achievement during 22 years as general manager, dies at [...]

1997 – Pioneering Latin-rock act WAR releases its … — 1997 – Pioneering Latin-rock act WAR releases its 20th album, “Coleccion Latina,” on Avenue Records. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – Violinist Cyril Reuben dies at the age of 7… — 1996 – Violinist Cyril Reuben dies at the age of 70. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – A seven-hour concert with dozens of stars, … — 1995 – A seven-hour concert with dozens of stars, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan, caps the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and [...]

1993 – At the MTV Video Music Awards, Neil Young joins — 1993 – At the MTV Video Music Awards, Neil Young joins Pearl Jam to perform “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – The Cars’ Ric Ocasek marries supermodel Paulina Porizkova — 1989 – The Cars’ Ric Ocasek marries supermodel Paulina Porizkova as guys everywhere ask, “Why?” I guess… ‘that’s just what she needed!’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – “Cold Hearted” becomes Paula Abdul’s third — 1989 – “Cold Hearted” becomes Paula Abdul’s third consecutive No. 1 single. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – The Amnesty International Tour starts in Lo… — 1987 – The Amnesty International Tour starts in London, starring Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Gabriel and Tracy Chapman. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – While still in school, 16-year-old Debbie G… — 1986 – While still in school, 16-year-old Debbie Gibson signs a contract with Atlantic Records and begins recording the album “Out of the Blue.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Upside Down,… — 1980 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Upside Down,” Diana Ross. The song stays at No. 1 for four weeks, the longest reign of any Ross song. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1978 – Teddy Pendergrass illustrates how smooth he is by holding a “Ladies — 1978 – Teddy Pendergrass illustrates how smooth he is by holding a “Ladies Only” concert at New York’s Avery Fisher Hall. The lover man makes sure everyone in the audience [...]

1978 – George Harrison marries Olivia Trinidad Arias, a secretary — 1978 – George Harrison marries Olivia Trinidad Arias, a secretary with his Dark Horse record label. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – The first issue of Musician magazine is pub… — 1976 – The first issue of Musician magazine is published. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – It isn’t easy trying to turn a ticketed festival into a free one — 1975 – It isn’t easy trying to turn a ticketed festival into a free one. Some 500 ticketless fans hoping to see Jefferson Starship and the Doobie Brothers storm the [...]

1972 – Gilbert O’Sullivan is still at No. 1 with “Alone Again (Naturally) — 1972 – Gilbert O’Sullivan is still at No. 1 with “Alone Again (Naturally),” but at No. 2 are the Hollies with “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress).” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Former Grateful Dead manager Lenny Hart is arrested and charged — 1971 – Former Grateful Dead manager Lenny Hart is arrested and charged with embezzling $70,000 from the band. The same day, the band release their second live album, titled Grateful [...]

1971 – The Rolling Stones are reported to be suing their former managers — 1971 – The Rolling Stones are reported to be suing their former managers Andrew Loog Oldham and Eric Easton. The band accuses the pair of withholding royalties from it during [...]

1970 – Genesis run an advertisement for a drummer in th — 1970 – Genesis run an advertisement for a drummer in the English magazine Melody Maker. Former child actor-turned-skins beater Phil Collins answers and convinces the band to hire him by [...]

1965 – The Beatles release “Yesterday.” The Paul McCartney song becomes — 1965 – The Beatles release “Yesterday.” The Paul McCartney song becomes one of the world’s most-played records. That evening the band plays the Cow Palace in Daly City, Calif., enduring [...]

1965 – The Rolling Stones appear on British TV’s Ready Steady Go — 1965 – The Rolling Stones appear on British TV’s Ready Steady Go! Mick Jagger and Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham perform a skit in which they duet on Sonny [...]

1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Boyfriend… — 1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Boyfriend’s Back,” The Angels. The group is the first white all-female group to have a No. 1 record. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Born on this day, Jerry Augustyniak, 10,000 Maniacs — 1958 -  Born on this day, Jerry Augustyniak, 10,000 Maniacs (1993 UK No.47 single ‘Candy Everybody Wants’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1958 – Born on this day, Fritz McIntyre, Simply Red — 1958 -  Born on this day, Fritz McIntyre, Simply Red, (1986 US No.1 & UK No.2 single ‘Holding Back The Years’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Born on this day, Steve Porcaro, Keyboards, Toto — 1957 – Born on this day, Steve Porcaro, Keyboards, Toto,(1983 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘Africa’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1952 – Chris Knox, perhaps New Zealand’s most famous — 1952 – Chris Knox, perhaps New Zealand’s most famous punk rocker, is born in Invercargill. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Born on this day, Mik Kaminski, violin, Electric Light Orchestra — 1951 – Born on this day, Mik Kaminski, violin, Electric Light Orchestra, (1979 UK No.3 & US No. 4 single ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ plus 26 other UK [...]

1943 – Born on this day, Joe Simon, singer, (1975 US No.8 single ‘Get Down, Get Down On The Floor’). — 1943 – Born on this day, Joe Simon, singer, (1975 US No.8 single ‘Get Down, Get Down On The Floor’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Rosalyn Ashford, best known as one of the Vandell — 1943 – Rosalyn Ashford, best known as one of the Vandellas behind Martha Reeves, is born in Detroit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Singer Rosalind Ashford of Martha & the Van… — 1943 – Singer Rosalind Ashford of Martha & the Vandellas is born in Detroit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1940 – Teen idol Jimmy Clanton (“Just a Dream”) is born — 1940 – Teen idol Jimmy Clanton (“Just a Dream”) is born in Baton Rouge, La. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Bobby Purify of the soul duo James & Bobby Purify (“I’m Your — 1939 – Bobby Purify of the soul duo James & Bobby Purify (“I’m Your Puppet”) is born in Tallahassee, Fla., some five years before his younger brother. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1925 – Born on this day, Hugo Montenegro, composer, died 6th Feb 1981 — 1925 – Born on this day, Hugo Montenegro, composer, died 6th Feb 1981, (1968 UK No.1 & US No.2 single ‘The Good The Bad And The Ugly’, from [...]