Rock History

On this day...

2010 – Apple launches social network for music called Ping — 2010 – Apple launches social network for music called Ping Steve Jobs: “It’s a social network all about music” Apple has launched a social network as part of the latest version of [...]

2010 – Sammy Hagar on Sharing Chickenfoot Drummer with Chili Peppers, Autobiography — 2010 – Sammy Hagar on Sharing Chickenfoot Drummer with Chili Peppers, Autobiography Chickenfoot is four songs and “seven pieces of new music” into its second album, according to frontman Sammy Hagar. [...]

2009 – Jake Brockman, former keyboard player with Echo and the Bunnymen was killed —   2009 - Jake Brockman, former keyboard player with Echo and the Bunnymen was killed when his motorbike was in collision with a converted ambulance on the Isle of Man. In 1989 [...]

2008 – Coldplay announced plans to release a new EP and album. — 2008 – Coldplay announced plans to release a new EP and album. Chris Martin said the band are planning two further releases including the full-length follow up to Viva La Vida, [...]

2007 – Supergrass were forced to put all plans on hold after band member Mick Quinn broke — 2007 –  Supergrass were forced to put all plans on hold after band member Mick Quinn broke his back. The bass player and vocalist sleepwalked out of a first floor [...]

2005 – Veteran performer Olivia Newton-releases a … — 2005 – Veteran performer Olivia Newton-releases a studio album specifically for sale as part of a Hallmark program in support of breast cancer awareness month. “Stronger Than Before” is to [...]

2005 – Blues veteran R.L. Burnside, who experience… — 2005 – Blues veteran R.L. Burnside, who experienced a late career renaissance after being rediscovered by Fat Possum Records in the 1990s, dies in a Memphis hospital. He is 78. [...]

2005 – Barry Cowsill, bass guitarist for The Cowsills, died from injuries caused by — 2005 – Barry Cowsill, bass guitarist for The Cowsills, died from injuries caused by Hurricane Katrina. His body was not recovered until December 28th, 2005, from the Chartres Street Wharf, [...]

2004 – Panamanian Singer/songwriter and actor Rube… — 2004 – Panamanian Singer/songwriter and actor Ruben Blades begins his tenure as Panama’s Minister of Tourism. Blades is part of the cabinet of then-new president-elect Martin Torrijos Espino. Be Sociable, [...]

2004 – Former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty was given a suspended four month — 2004 – Former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty was given a suspended four month jail sentence after admitting possession of a flick knife. The singer was found with the weapon by [...]

2004 – OutKast’s Andre 3000 visits the Republican National Convention — 2004 – OutKast’s Andre 3000 visits the Republican National Convention in New York to convince young people to vote. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Heavily hyped Australian rockers Jet deny they’ve — 2003 – Heavily hyped Australian rockers Jet deny they’ve signed to Elektra for a whopping $3 million. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Sir Elton John tops the U.K. singles charts with “Are You Ready — 2003 – Sir Elton John tops the U.K. singles charts with “Are You Ready for Love.” Nothing unusual about that, except the song is actually an outtake from 1977. Be Sociable, [...]

2001 – Australian rocker Ted Mulry dies in a Sydne… — 2001 – Australian rocker Ted Mulry dies in a Sydney hospital, following a yearlong battle with brain cancer. He is 49. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – The Doobie Brothers make 15 newly recorded … — 2000 – The Doobie Brothers make 15 newly recorded tracks available for free download at WindowsMedia.com as the kickoff of a multistage campaign for their newest album Sibling Rivalry. Be Sociable, [...]

2000 – A federal judge awards Herb Reed of the legendary doo-wop group — 2000 – A federal judge awards Herb Reed of the legendary doo-wop group the Platters an injunction against another group Reed described as “these phony people going around calling themselves [...]

1999 – Van Morrison becomes the first inductee to … — 1999 – Van Morrison becomes the first inductee to the Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame (IMHF) at a ceremony in Dublin. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan is charged wi… — 1998 – Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan is charged with assault and battery for allegedly hitting a security guard in the head with a microphone during a concert in August. [...]

1997 – In Nashville for a concert, James Taylor sp… — 1997 – In Nashville for a concert, James Taylor spends three hours swapping stories and trading licks with Mr. Guitar, Chet Atkins. The special meeting takes place at Taylor’s request. Be [...]

1996 – Composer Vagn Holmboe dies at the age of 87… — 1996 – Composer Vagn Holmboe dies at the age of 87. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong… — 1995 – Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong is honored on a U.S. postage stamp. The sale is kicked off with a jazz festival in New Orleans featuring Wynton Marsalis, [...]

1992 – Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio, org… — 1992 – Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio, organize a relief project for the victims of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated Miami a week earlier. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – U2 bassist Adam Clayton pleads guilty to a charge of marijuana — 1989 – U2 bassist Adam Clayton pleads guilty to a charge of marijuana possession, but an Irish judge lets him off the hook in return for a donation to a [...]

1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “St. Elmo’s F… — 1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion),” John Parr. The week this song from the film “St. Elmo’s Fire” hits No. 1 marks [...]

1984 – Born on this day, Joseph Mark Trohman, guitarist, Fall Out Boy, (2007 US — 1984 – Born on this day, Joseph Mark Trohman, guitarist, Fall Out Boy, (2007 US No.1 album ‘Infinity on High’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – Bob Dylan releases his “Heart of Mine” single in Europe only. — 1981 – Bob Dylan releases his “Heart of Mine” single in Europe only. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Fleetwood Mac wrap up a nine-month tour at the Hollywood Bowl, — 1980 – Fleetwood Mac wrap up a nine-month tour at the Hollywood Bowl, with Lindsey Buckingham telling the audience, “This is our last show for a long time.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – INXS makes its performance debut in Sydney,… — 1979 – INXS makes its performance debut in Sydney, Australia. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1979 – U2 release their first record, the U2-3 EP this — 1979 – U2 release their first record, the U2-3 EP this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – New Yawk’s beloved Blondie sign with the Chrysalis label. — 1977 – New Yawk’s beloved Blondie sign with the Chrysalis label. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – Los Angeles musical force Lou Adler and his employee Neil — 1976 – Los Angeles musical force Lou Adler and his employee Neil Silver are kidnapped. The pair were seized by a California couple at Lou’s home. They are released only [...]

1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Rhinestone C… — 1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Born on this day, J.D. Fortune, (Jason Bennison) Canadian singer, INXS, — 1973 – Born on this day, J.D. Fortune, (Jason Bennison) Canadian singer, INXS, winner of the 2005 CBS reality television series Rock Star: INXS. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – David Bowie releases “John, I’m Only Dancing” in the U.K. The lyrics — 1972 – David Bowie releases “John, I’m Only Dancing” in the U.K. The lyrics “He turns me on” don’t leave much the imagination and in no way refer to Iggy [...]

1967 – Boz Scaggs joins the Steve Miller Band on guitar. After — 1967 – Boz Scaggs joins the Steve Miller Band on guitar. After recording two albums with the group, Scaggs left in 1968. Since then he’s enjoyed solo success with hits [...]

1965 – You might watch Shindig on TV today, but get ready — 1965 – You might watch Shindig on TV today, but get ready to shake your tail feather. First James Brown introduces the funk of “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” [...]

1957 – Gloria Estefan is born in Havana this day — 1957 – Gloria Estefan is born in Havana this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – 19 year old Jerry Lee Lewis arrived at Sun Records hoping for an audition — 1956 – 19 year old Jerry Lee Lewis arrived at Sun Records hoping for an audition, only to find that owner Sam Phillips was on vacation in Florida. Jerry Lee [...]

1956 – With his star ever rising, Elvis Presley buys his mother — 1956 – With his star ever rising, Elvis Presley buys his mother, Gladys, a pink Cadillac. You can take the flash out of Memphis, but you can’t take the Memphis [...]

1955 – Bruce Foxton, bassist with the Jam, is born — 1955 – Bruce Foxton, bassist with the Jam, is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1953 – the Texas duo of Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery auditioned for — Buddy Holly 1953 – the Texas duo of Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery auditioned for radio station KDAV’s Sunday Party. The duo started a slot on Sunday afternoon that became known [...]

1952 – Atlantic Records bought Ray Charles’ contract from Swingtime — 1952 – Atlantic Records bought Ray Charles’ contract from Swingtime Records, where Charles had been recording in the mellower, bluesy style of Nat King Cole and Charles Brown. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees is born in Dougl… — 1947 – Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees is born in Douglas, Isle of Man, U.K. Pictured in the center. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Born on this day, Greg Errico, drummer, Sly and The Family Stone — 1946 – Born on this day, Greg Errico, drummer, Sly and The Family Stone, (1971 US No.1 & 1972 UK No.15 single ‘Family Affair’) Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – Archie Bell, who led the Drells to a No. 1 hit — 1944 – Archie Bell, who led the Drells to a No. 1 hit with “Tighten Up,” is born in Henderson, Texas. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1933 – Conway Twitty is born Harold Lloyd Jenkins … — 1933 – Conway Twitty is born Harold Lloyd Jenkins in Friars Point, Miss. He changes his name in 1957. His No. 1 country songs include “Hello Darlin’,” “You’ve Never Been [...]

1931 – Boxcar Willie is born in Sterret, Texas. His real name — 1931 – Boxcar Willie is born in Sterret, Texas. His real name is Lecil Martin. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1927 – Born on this day, Tommy Evans, The Drifters, (1960 US No.1 & UK No.2 single ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’). — 1927 - Born on this day, Tommy Evans, The Drifters, (1960 US No.1 & UK No.2 single ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]