Rock History

On this day...

2008 – THE CULT frontman Ian Astbury has told… — 2008 – THE CULT frontman Ian Astbury has told Canada’s Sun Media his band won’t be hitting the road with LED ZEPPELIN if and when the legendary group should decide [...]

2008 – As expected, MySpace officially announced… — 2008 – As expected, MySpace officially announced its MySpace Music service on Thursday. The move clears up much of the speculation and conflicting reports surrounding the much-rumored launch, but not [...]

2008 – Stone Temple Pilots have officially revealed… — 2008 – Stone Temple Pilots have officially revealed that the band will be reuniting and will launch a massive 2008 concert tour encompassing over 65 dates and hitting all corners [...]

2008 – Linkin Park announced the lineup for “Project Revolution 2008″ on This Day in Rock. — 2008 – Linkin Park announced the lineup for “Project Revolution 2008″ on This Day in Rock. The 5th reinvention with Soundgarden/Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell, electro-rockers The Bravery and Ashes [...]

2005 – The reunited Queen perform at Rome’s… — 2005 – The reunited Queen perform at Rome’s Palalottomatica, in spite of a request from city officials to postpone their concert out of respect for Pope John Paul [...]

2005 – On the welcome sign in Kurt Cobain’s hometown of Aberdeen Washington — 2005 – On the welcome sign in Kurt Cobain’s hometown of Aberdeen Washington the township adds “Come As You Are.” on This day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Beck must not be such a “Loser” anymore… — 2004 – Beck mustn’t be such a “Loser” anymore. He marries Scientologist actress Marissa Ribisi at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Alanis Morissette appears at the Canadian… — 2004 – Alanis Morissette appears at the Canadian Juno awards in a nude bodysuit during a skit satirizing American attitudes towards censorship. At the ceremony, Nelly Furtado wins [...]

2004 – With three trophies, Universal Music artist… — 2004 – With three trophies, Universal Music artist Sam Roberts is the big winner at Canada’s Juno Awards, held at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta. The Montreal-based rocker wins each [...]

2004 – Mozambique-born bassist Gito Baloi is kille… — 2004 – Mozambique-born bassist Gito Baloi is killed in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa. Police say Baloi, 39, is shot in the neck as he makes his way home from performing [...]

2003 – Elton John calls off his concert with Billy… — 2003 – Elton John calls off his concert with Billy Joel in St. Louis because he feels “unwell.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach is sacked… —   2003 – Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach is sacked from the touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He tells his Web site, “”The producers of the show have [...]

2003 – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers debut… — 2003 – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers debut a new song, “Black Leather Woman,” while guesting on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – The Rolling Stones play their first ever gig… — 2003 – The Rolling Stones play their first ever gig in India, rocking Bangalore in the middle of a monsoon before a crowd of 30,000 fans. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – The mighty Meat Loaf announces his… — 2003 – The mighty Meat Loaf announces his retirement from music following one last world tour. Lyrics: I remember every little thing As if it happened only yesterday Parking by the lake And there [...]

2002 – Shock rocker Marilyn Manson is sued by… — 2002 – Shock rocker Marilyn Manson is sued by the mother of Keanu Reeves’ late girlfriend Jennifer Syme. Syme was killed in a car crash after attending a [...]

2002 – Dave Mustaine announces he’s disbanding thrash… — 2002 – Dave Mustaine announces he’s disbanding thrash godfathers Megadeth after developing a compressed radial nerve in his hand that prevents him from playing guitar. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – The Calling guitarist Aaron Kamin suffers a… — 2002 – The Calling guitarist Aaron Kamin suffers a severe electrical shock during soundcheck for a concert in Bangkok. Kamin is rushed to a local hospital and is released after [...]

2001 – Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, the origina… — 2001 – Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, the original lead vocalist and keyboard player of increasingly influential ’60s British band the Zombies, thrill a London audience with a two-part show [...]

2000 – Eight previously unreleased live tracks fro… — 2000 – Eight previously unreleased live tracks from Ben Harper are made available for purchase via Liquid Audio at 150 online retailers. Seven of the tracks are for purchase only, [...]

1998 – Eric Clapton’s first album of regular studi… —   1998 – Eric Clapton’s first album of regular studio material since 1989 makes an auspicious debut at No. 4 on the Chart Toppers 200. “Pilgrim” (Duck/Reprise) ties the opening position [...]

1994 – Kurt Cobain’s mother files… — 1994 – Kurt Cobain’s mother files a missing-persons report on her son. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1992 – Bruce Springsteen : Human Touch : UK LP is no. 1 chart topper. —   1992 – Bruce Springsteen : Human Touch : UK LP is no. 1 chart topper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1992 – Backup singer Dyane Buckelew, wife of guita… — 1992 – Backup singer Dyane Buckelew, wife of guitarist Rick Derringer, gives birth to the couple’s first daughter, Mallory Loving. The child is born in Georgetown, S.C. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – U2 blast into US LP chart, making highest… — 1987 – U2 blast into US LP chart, making highest debut of any studio act since Stevie Wonder in 1980, as The Joshua Tree debuts on Chart at No. [...]

1987 – Fleetwood Mac’s Big Love hits UK chart… — Fleetwood Mac 1987 – Fleetwood Mac’s Big Love hits UK chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – Starship: Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now US… —   1987 – Jefferson Starship: Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now US 45 is no. 1 chart topper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – Ferry Aid: Let it Be UK 45… — 1987 – Ferry Aid: Let it Be UK 45 is no. 1 chart topper. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 -Styx’s Paradise Theater goes to No. 1… — 1981 -Styx’s Paradise Theater goes to No. 1. It would become their fourth album in a row to go triple-platinum, setting a new sales record. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – “Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones’… — 1974 – “Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones” opens as the first film with a quadraphonic soundtrack. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Night th… — 1973 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia,” Vicki Lawrence. Lawrence is probably best known as the look-alike to the star of [...]

1970 – Janis Joplin plays a reunion concert in San… — 1970 – Janis Joplin plays a reunion concert in San Francisco with her old outfit Big Brother & the Holding Company. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – R&B star James Brown makes a national TV ap… —   1968 – R&B star James Brown makes a national TV appeal for calm following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Paul McCartney advises Beatles publicist… — 1967 – Paul McCartney advises Beatles publicist and Monterey Pop Festival organizer Derek Taylor that they should book some guitarist called Jimi Hendrix. Smart move. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Michael Christopher “Mike” Starr, bassist for Alice in Chains, was born on This day in rock! — 1966 – Michael Christopher “Mike” Starr, bassist for Alice in Chains,  was born on This day in rock! He passed away March 8th, 2011. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – Actor Robert Downey Jr. is born in New York… — 1965 – Actor Robert Downey Jr. is born in New York, NY. Downey Jr. has penned more than 30 original songs, and his version of Charley Chaplin’s theme song, “Smile,” [...]

1965 – John Lennon and Paul McCartney compose… — 1965 – John Lennon and Paul McCartney compose “Help!”, the title track to the Beatles’ second film. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – The Beatles make music history by holding t… — 1964 – The Beatles make music history by holding the top five places in the singles charts with: “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Twist and Shout,” “She Loves You,” “I Want [...]

1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “He’s So Fine… — 1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “He’s So Fine,” The Chiffons. In 1976 the estate of songwriter Ronnie Mack wins a lawsuit against former Beatle George Harrison. A [...]

1962 – Craig Adams (The Cult) is born… — 1962 – Craig Adams (The Cult) is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1960 – Elvis Presley records “Are You Lonesome To… — 1960 – Elvis Presley records “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” According to today’s issue of Billboard, RCA Victor will now release all its pop singles in the mono and stereo [...]

1959 – “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” becomes Buddy Holly… — 1959 – “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” becomes Buddy Holly’s first posthumous hit, peaking at No. 13. Holly died in a plane crash in February. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – Elvis performed in San Diego Arena in San Diego on This Day in Rock! — 1956 – Elvis performed in  San Diego Arena in San Diego on This Day in Rock!  The San Diego Police chief issued a statement: “if Elvis ever returned [...]

1955 – Johny Ray, dubbed ‘The Prince of Wails’ by… — 1955 – Johny Ray, dubbed ‘The Prince of Wails’ by the press, arrives in UK for tour. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1953 – The Stargazers have the No.1 spot on the UK singles chart with ‘Broken Wings’ on This Day in Rock! —   1953 – The Stargazers have the No.1 spot on the UK singles chart with ‘Broken Wings’ on This Day in Rock! They were the first British group to reach [...]

1952 – Robert William Gary Moore is born on This Day in Rock! — 1952 – Robert William Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy guitarist,  is born on This Day in Rock!  Originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland, He later had a flourishing solo career where [...]

1948 – Berry Oakley (Allman Brothers Band) is born… — 1948 – Berry Oakley (Allman Brothers Band) is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Christopher Franke (Tangerine Dream) is born… — 1942 – Christopher Franke (Tangerine Dream) is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1939 – Trumpeter Hugh Masekela is born in Wilbank,… — 1939 – Trumpeter Hugh Masekela is born in Wilbank, South Africa. His biggest pop hit is “Grazing in the Grass,” a No. 1 song for two weeks in 1968. Be [...]

1934 -Legendary record exec Clive Davis is born… — 1934 -Legendary record exec Clive Davis is born. He had commercial and creative high-points at both the Columbia and Arista labels. He currently heads J Records. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1928 – Writer/actor/dancer/singer Maya Angelou is … — 1928 – Writer/actor/dancer/singer Maya Angelou is born Margueritte Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Mo. She adopts the nickname Maya from the babytalk of her younger brother who called her either [...]

1915 – Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) is born… — 1915 – Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) is born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi on This Day in Rock! Some Accolades: 1. In 2004 Waters was ranked #17 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list [...]