Rock History

On this day...

2007 – George Michael became the first music artist to perform at the new Wembley — 2007 – George Michael became the first music artist to perform at the new Wembley Stadium in London when he played the first of two shows at the venue during [...]

2006 – Robbie Williams kicked off a 16-date European tour in Dublin — 2006 – Robbie Williams kicked off a 16-date European tour in Dublin, Ireland ending at Wembley in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – U2 frontman Bono urges the European Union t… — 2005 – U2 frontman Bono urges the European Union to step up efforts to support the disadvantaged in Africa. Speaking in Brussels after meeting European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, [...]

2004 – Britney Spears is hospitalized after she blows out her knee… — 2004 – Britney Spears is hospitalized after she blows out her knee. The singer fell during the video shoot for her latest single, “Outrageous”. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington is released from… — 2003 – Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington is released from a Los Angeles hospital after suffering crippling stomach pains. Docs say a parasite or intestinal disorder was likely to blame. Be [...]

2002 – it was announced that Rolling Stone Mick Jagger was to be given — 2002 – it was announced that Rolling Stone Mick Jagger was to be given a knighthood for his services to music. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Peter Gabriel marries longtime companion Me… — 2002 – Peter Gabriel marries longtime companion Meah Flynn at the Li Capanni hotel he owns near Sardinia’s Emerald Coast. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Kenny G, Diana Krall, and Joe Sample featur… — 2000 – Kenny G, Diana Krall, and Joe Sample featuring Lalah Hathaway are big winners at the Chart Toppers/BET On Jazz Awards, presented at the BET On Jazz Studios in [...]

2000 – Boyz II Men release to radio stations “Pass… — 2000 – Boyz II Men release to radio stations “Pass You By,” their first new single in more than three years. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and Simply Red singer Mick — 1998 – Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall were involved in a brawl at The Metropolitan Hotel, London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – The Spice Girls team up with Luciano Pavaro… — 1998 – The Spice Girls team up with Luciano Pavarotti in Modena, Italy for their first appearance since announcing the departure of Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell. The televised charity songfest [...]

1998 – The Ronettes finally get their day in court… — 1998 – The Ronettes finally get their day in court, as a judge in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York hears first-day arguments in their lawsuit [...]

1996 – Carpenter and traditional singer Walter Par… — 1996 – Carpenter and traditional singer Walter Pardon dies at the age of 82. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – The U.S. Postal Service debuts its Legends of American Music — 1993 – The U.S. Postal Service debuts its Legends of American Music, Rock and Roll-Rhythm and Blues stamp collection, featuring Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding, Ritchie [...]

1992 – Jazz and blues singer Clarence “Big” Mill… — 1992 – Jazz and blues singer Clarence “Big” Miller dies in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, of a heart attack. He was 70. He had performed with such jazz legends as Count [...]

1990 – Wilson Phillips went to No.1 on the US with ‘Hold On’. 25 years — 1990 – Wilson Phillips went to No.1 on the US with ‘Hold On’. 25 years earlier to the day Wendy and Carnies father Beach Boy Brian had been at No.1 [...]

1990 – Michael Jackson was admitted to hospital with a mystery illness — 1990 – Michael Jackson was admitted to hospital with a mystery illness. It was later diagnosed as an inflamed cartilage in his rib cage. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – 25 years to the day after their father Bria… — 1990 – 25 years to the day after their father Brian and his band The Beach Boys hold the No. 1 spot for “Help Me Rhonda,” Carnie and Wendy Wilson’s [...]

1989 – Having re-formed because they love each other so much — 1989 – Having re-formed because they love each other so much, the Doobie Brothers play their first American concert in … well, in a long time. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Always,” At… — 1987 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Always,” Atlantic Starr. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – Bob Dylan begins the American leg of his True Confessions… — 1986 – Bob Dylan begins the American leg of his True Confessions tour at San Diego’s Sports Arena. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1984 – Cyndi Lauper started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1984 – Cyndi Lauper started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Time After Time’ a No.3 hit in the UK. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, N.Y., plays host to a Peace Week — 1982 – Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, N.Y., plays host to a Peace Week benefit featuring James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and Jackson Browne. They said Peace Week, not Sleep [...]

1979 – The Bee Gees went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Love — 1979 – The Bee Gees went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Love You inside Out’, the groups 9th US No.1. A No.13 hit in the UK. Be Sociable, [...]

1977 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I’m Your Boo… — 1977 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “I’m Your Boogie Man,” KC & the Sunshine Band. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – George Harrison divorces Patti Boyd, who would — 1977 – George Harrison divorces Patti Boyd, who would later marry Harrison buddy Eric Clapton. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – Elvis Presley plays the first of four concerts at New… — 1972 – Elvis Presley plays the first of four concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – Record executive John Hammond makes Bruce… — 1972 – Record executive John Hammond makes Bruce Springsteen his latest signing to CBS. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Born on this day, Ed Simons, keyboards, The Chemical Brothers — 1970 – Born on this day, Ed Simons, keyboards, The Chemical Brothers, (1996 UK No.1 single ‘Setting Sun’, 2007 UK No.1 album ‘We Are The Night’ ). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Bob Dylan is awarded an honorary degree in … — 1970 – Bob Dylan is awarded an honorary degree in music from Princeton University. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – Princeton University gives Bob Dylan an honorary doctorate in music. — 1970 – Princeton University gives Bob Dylan an honorary doctorate in music. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Born on this day, Dean Felber, bass, Hootie & The Blowfish — 1967 – Born on this day, Dean Felber, bass, Hootie & The Blowfish, (1995 US No.1 album ‘Cracked Rear View’ sold over 15m copies. 1995 UK No.50 single ‘Hold My [...]

1967 – Everett Dean Felber, bassist for Hootie & T… — 1967 – Everett Dean Felber, bassist for Hootie & The Blowfish, is born in Bethesda, Md. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – The Beatles held the UK No.1 position on the singles chart with ‘From Me — 1963 – The Beatles held the UK No.1 position on the singles chart with ‘From Me To You’. Lesley Gore was at No.1 on the US chart with ‘It’s My [...]

1963 – Johnny Depp is born in Owensboro, Ken. Depp… — 1963 – Johnny Depp is born in Owensboro, Ken. Depp, a high school dropout, begins his performance career by being a floating member of numerous garage bands. His band the [...]

1962 – The Beatles, on the last night of their tour with Roy Orbison — 1962 – The Beatles, on the last night of their tour with Roy Orbison, performed at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire. It was during this tour that The Beatles’ fans [...]

1958 – Johnny Mathis went to No.1 on the US album chart with his — 1958 – Johnny Mathis went to No.1 on the US album chart with his ‘Greatest Hits’ album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1950 – Born on this day, Trevor Boulder, bass, Spiders From Mars, Uriah Heep — 1950 – Born on this day, Trevor Boulder, bass, Spiders From Mars, Uriah Heep, (1975 UK No.7 album ‘Return To Fantasy’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Born on this day, George Bunnell, Strawberry Alarm Clock, (1967 — 1967 - No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: ``Incense and Peppermints,'' Strawberry Alarm Clock. 1949 – Born on this day, George Bunnell, Strawberry Alarm Clock, (1967 US No.1 single ‘Incense And [...]

1947 – Born on this day, Mitch Mitchell, drums, Jimi Hendrix Experience — 1947 – Born on this day, Mitch Mitchell, drums, Jimi Hendrix Experience, (1967 UK No.3 single ‘Purple Haze’, 1970 UK No.1 single Voodoo Chile’). Mitchell had been in the ITV’s [...]

1941 – Born on this day, Jon Lord, keyboards, Deep Purple, (1970 UK No.2 — Deep Purple 1941 – Born on this day, Jon Lord, keyboards, Deep Purple, (1970 UK No.2 single ‘Black Night’), 1973 US No. 4 single ‘Smoke On The Water’). Lord is recognised for [...]

1934 – R&B star Jackie Wilson is born in Detroit. … — 1934 – R&B star Jackie Wilson is born in Detroit. He scores six No. 1 songs on Chart Toppers’s R&B singles chart, while his biggest pop hit is “Night,” which [...]

1934 – Blues guitarist Wild Jimmy Spruill is born…. — 1934 – Blues guitarist Wild Jimmy Spruill is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1929 – Born on this day, R&B singer Johnny Ace, Billboards ‘most played — 1929 – Born on this day, R&B singer Johnny Ace, Billboards ‘most played artist of 1955′. He died playing Russian roulette backstage at a gig on December 25th 1954. Be Sociable, [...]

1915 – Les Paul, the jazz musician whose name became synonymous — 1915 -  Les Paul, the jazz musician whose name became synonymous with the electric guitar, is born in Waukesha, Wis., as Lester Poifus. Biography He was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin to George [...]

1891 – Born on this day, Cole Porter, singer, composer, one of America’s — 1891 – Born on this day, Cole Porter, singer, composer, one of America’s greatest songwriters. Wrote countless classic songs, ‘Night And Day’, ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’, ‘Ev’ry [...]