Rock History

On this day...

2008 – Richie Sambora was arrested in California on suspicion of drink driving. The 48 year-old — 2008 -  Richie Sambora was arrested in California on suspicion of drink driving. The 48 year-old Bon Jovi guitarist was arrested after a police officer noticed his black Hummer weaving [...]

2007 – Proclaimers feat Brian Potter & Andy Pipkin went to No.1 on the UK singles chart — 2007 -  Proclaimers feat Brian Potter & Andy Pipkin went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’. The Scottish duo teamed up with the [...]

2005 – Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s Buckinghamshire… —   2005 – Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s Buckinghamshire mansion catches fire. The pair are treated for smoke inhalation after rescuing their pets from the blaze.

2003 – Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler’s actress daughter Liv… —   2003 – Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler’s actress daughter Liv marries her longtime boyfriend, Royston Langdon of New York rockers Spacehog, in the Caribbean.

2003 – The TRL audience think, “Who’s that old man?” when Ringo Starr… — 2003 – The TRL audience think, “Who’s that old man?” when Ringo Starr makes an appearance in the studio. When Carson Daly asks the Beatle’s drummer how he [...]

2003 – Tom Petty cancels what would have been… —   2003 – Tom Petty cancels what would have been his first European tour in ten years after consulting with promoters. No word if war fears were involved.

2003 – Both R.E.M. and Lenny Kravitz post anti-war … — 2003 – Both R.E.M. and Lenny Kravitz post anti-war songs online for download. Michael Stipe says “The Final Straw” “is the strongest voice I could think of to [...]

2002 – U2 singer Bono testifies on Peter Buck’… — 2002 – U2 singer Bono testifies on Peter Buck’s behalf at the R.E.M. guitarist’s air rage trial in London. Bono says, “I had to twist his arm to [...]

2002 – Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell walks… — 2002 – Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell walks out of rehearsals for new project with members of Rage Against the Machine. Fortunately, he later returns; the band takes the [...]

2000 – Private I label boss Joseph Isgro is arrested… — 2000 – Private I label boss Joseph Isgro is arrested in Beverly Hills, Calif., by the FBI on charges of extortion and loan sharking. Private I’s roster includes [...]

1999 – Sony Corp. unveils hardware designed for us… — 1999 – Sony Corp. unveils hardware designed for use with its new satellite music distribution service. The SAS-MS9SET digital broadcast receiver/antenna system enables subscribers to Digital Media Entertainment’s MusicLink channel [...]

1999 – Robbie Williams loses his two-year court ba… — 1999 – Robbie Williams loses his two-year court battle with Nigel Martin-Smith, the manager of his former band Take That.

1997 – Harold Melvin, leader of soul act Harold Me… — 1997 – Harold Melvin, leader of soul act Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, dies in his sleep. He is 57. Melvin forms the Blue Notes as a doo-wop group [...]

1995 – Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder is rescued… — 1995 – Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder is rescued after being swept 250 feet offshore in New Zealand.

1995 – Cher/ Chrissie Hynde/ Neneh Cherry/ Eric Clapton… — 1995 – Cher/ Chrissie Hynde/ Neneh Cherry/ Eric Clapton : Love Can Build A Bridge : UK single is no. 1 chart topper.

1991 – Madonna goes to the Oscars… — 1991 – Madonna goes to the Oscars with Michael Jackson as her date.

1990 – Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee is arrested… — 1990 – Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee is arrested for allegedly exposing his buttocks during a concert in Augusta, Georgia.

1989 – Gloria Estefan: Anything for You UK… — 1989 – Gloria Estefan: Anything for You UK LP is no. 1 chart topper. Lyrics: Anything for you Though youre not here Since you said were through It seems like years Time keeps draggin on and [...]

1989 – Madonna: Like a Prayer UK 45… — 1989 – Madonna: Like a Prayer UK 45 is no. 1 chart topper.

1985 – “Weird Al” Yankovic records… — 1985 – “Weird Al” Yankovic records “Hooked on Polkas” is a hit on this day in rock history! Hooked On Polkas by Al Yankovic Lyrics: You’re takin’ to me good Just like you know you [...]

1985 – Prince takes home the Best Original Score… — 1985 – Prince takes home the Best Original Score prize for the film Purple Rain at this year’s Oscars ceremony. Best Original Song goes to Stevie Wonder’s “I [...]

1980 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Another Bric… — 1980 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Another Brick in the Wall,” Pink Floyd. The song is the group’s biggest hit.

1979 – The mighty Van Halen release… — 1979 – The mighty Van Halen release Van Halen II. Van Halen II is the second album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1979. The actual recording of [...]

1978 – Buddy Holly: 20 Golden Greats UK… — 1978 – Buddy Holly: 20 Golden Greats UK LP is no. 1 chart topper.

1976 – Jackson Browne’s wife Phyllis Major commits… — 1976 – Jackson Browne’s wife Phyllis Major commits suicide. He is working on his Pretender LP.

1973 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Killing Me S… — 1973 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” Roberta Flack. The song wins Grammys for Flack as Best Female Pop Vocal and Record of [...]

1972 – America: Horse with No Name US 45… — 1972 – America: Horse with No Name US 45 no. 1 chart topper.

1968 – The last episode of The Monkees television… — 1968 – The last episode of The Monkees television show airs. The idea of following the hi-jinks of a rock band’s life was taken from the Beatles’ A [...]

1967 – Cream arrive in the U.S…. — 1967 – Cream arrive in the U.S. to begin their first American tour. Featuring Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton. Cream were a 1960s British blues-rock band consisting of bassist/lead [...]

1967 – The Who perform their first US… — 1967 – The Who perform their first US shows in New York (at Murray The K’s Easter rock-and-roll extravaganza).

1967 – The debut LP from Doors (featuring… — 1967 – The debut LP from Doors (featuring Light My Fire) enters the American LP charts. Lyrics: You know that it would be untrue You know that I would be a liar If [...]

1967 – Turtles: Happy Together US… — 1967 – Turtles: Happy Together US 45 is no. 1 chart topper. Lyrics: Imagine me and you, I do I think about you day and night, it’s only right To think about the girl [...]

1965 – Bob Dylan debuts on UK… — 1965 – Bob Dylan debuts on UK chart with Times They Are a’Changing. Lyrics: Come gather round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon Youll [...]

1965 – Donovan debuts on UK… — 1965 – Donovan debuts on UK chart with Catch the Wind. Lyrics: In the chilly hours and minutes, Of uncertainty, I want to be, In the warm hold of your loving mind. To feel you [...]

1964 – The Beatles make their first appearance on Britain’s… — 1964 – The Beatles make their first appearance on Britain’s Top of the Pops, singing “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Couldn’t find a Vid of that, but here’s this one.

1961 – Elvis Presley performs his last live… — 1961 – Elvis Presley performs his last live show for eight years at Block Arena in Pearl Harbor.

1960 – Roy Orbison records “Only the Lonely.” — 1960 – Roy Orbison records “Only the Lonely” on this day in rock history! Lyrics: Only the lonely (r.orbison/melson) Dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah Ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah Oh-oh-oh-oh-wah Only the lonely Only the lonely (dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah) Know the way I feel tonight (ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah) Only the lonely [...]

1960 – Ray Charles records his signature… — 1960 - Ray Charles records his signature song “Georgia on My Mind.” Lyrics: Georgia, Georgia, The whole day through Just an old sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind I’m say Georgia Georgia A song of you Comes [...]

1960 – Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) is born… — 1960 – Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) is born this day in rock history.

1958 – Eddie Cochran joins Tommy Facenda… — 1958 – Eddie Cochran joins Tommy Facenda and Paul Peeks (Gene Vincent’s backing singers) for The Capitol Session.

1947 – Elton John is born… — 1947 – Elton John is born this day in rock history. Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight) is born in Pinner, Middlesex, England. When John began to seriously consider a career in [...]

1942 – Aretha Franklin is born in Memphis, Tenn. I… — 1942 – Aretha Franklin is born in Memphis, Tenn. In 1987 she becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her hits include “Respect,” “Chain [...]

1938 – Hoyt Axton, who wrote Steppenwolf’s “The… — 1938 – Hoyt Axton, who wrote Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher” and Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World,” is born in Duncan, Okla.

1934 – Born on this day, US singer Johnny Burnette, (1961 UK No.3 & US No.8 single ‘Your Sixteen’). — 1934 – Born on this day, US singer Johnny Burnette, (1961 UK No.3 & US No.8 single ‘Your Sixteen’). He was killed in a boating accident on Clear Lake, California [...]