Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Michael Jackson Death Trial: Dr. Murray’s lawyers ask Judge to Sequester the Jury On This Day in Rock! — 2011 – Michael Jackson Death Trial: Dr. Murray’s lawyers ask Judge to Sequester the Jury On This Day in Rock! Dr. Conrad Murray’s Legal team asked the judge today if [...]

2005 – British R&B artist “Long John” Baldry dies … — 2005 – British R&B artist “Long John” Baldry dies in Vancouver after battling a chest infection for four months. He is 64. Having begun his career playing folk and jazz [...]

2005 – Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” clearly belongs at No. 1… — 2005 – Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” clearly belongs at No. 1 – it stays there in the U.S. singles chart for a fourth week. Carey also has the week’s [...]

2005 – A jury rules that Ashanti is guilty of breach of contract and owes… — 2005 – A jury rules that Ashanti is guilty of breach of contract and owes producer Genard Parker $630,000. She had promised Parker he could produce two songs on her [...]

2004 – Black Sabbath remove images from a film that plays during their Ozzfest — 2004 – Black Sabbath remove images from a film that plays during their Ozzfest set associating George W. Bush with Hitler after drummer Bill Ward posts his disapproval on his [...]

2004 – Jimmy Buffett tops the U.S. album charts with License to Chill — 2004 – Jimmy Buffett tops the U.S. album charts with License to Chill. No, this is not a gag. The Roots have the second highest debut, with the Phillie hip-hop [...]

2003 – Coldplay perform the first of a two-night stand in Sydney, Australia — 2003 – Coldplay perform the first of a two-night stand in Sydney, Australia. The shows are later released as their live CD/DVD.

2003 – The multi-talented Will Smith tops the box office charts as his film — 2003 – The multi-talented Will Smith tops the box office charts as his film Bad Boys II rakes in $46.7 million over the weekend.

2003 – Dixie Chicks team up with Rock the Vote for a campaign — 2003 – Dixie Chicks team up with Rock the Vote for a campaign encouraging more women to register as voters.

2003 – Iron Maiden kick off their Give Me ‘Ed … ‘Til I’m Dead tour in Worcester — 2003 – Iron Maiden kick off their Give Me ‘Ed … ‘Til I’m Dead tour in Worcester, Mass., with Motorhead and Dio. Now that’s a smelly dressing room.

2003 – Dead Kennedys vocalist Brandon Cruz leaves the California punk — 2003 – Dead Kennedys vocalist Brandon Cruz leaves the California punk legends to spend more time with his family. He joined the band after they reformed minus original singer Jello [...]

2003 – Coldplay singer Chris Martin is charged with malicious damage — 2003 – Coldplay singer Chris Martin is charged with malicious damage after allegedly attacking a photographer’s car with a rock in Byron Bay, Australia.

1999 – MP3.com goes public with an IPO. The stock price soars, making — 1999 – MP3.com goes public with an IPO. The stock price soars, making spokesperson Alanis Morissette worth nearly $42 million. She later sells off a portion of her holding in [...]

1998 – The Beastie Boys begin touring in support o… — 1998 – The Beastie Boys begin touring in support of their fifth release, “Hello Nasty,” at Seattle’s Key Arena. It is their first headlining tour since 1995′s “Quadrophonic Joystick” tour.

1998 – Scott Weiland is arrested again on a felony… — 1998 – Scott Weiland is arrested again on a felony warrant in Los Angeles. Weiland posts the $250,000 bail and is released the next morning. Weiland’s court appearances stem from [...]

1998 – Gospel singer O’Landa Draper dies at Meharr… — 1998 – Gospel singer O’Landa Draper dies at Meharry General Hospital in Nashville following a brief episode of renal failure. He is 34.

1998 – Eagle-Eye Cherry, son of jazz artist Don Ch… — 1998 – Eagle-Eye Cherry, son of jazz artist Don Cherry and brother of singer Neneh Cherry, releases his debut set “Desireless.”

1997 – C. Delores Tucker, lobbyist against gangsta… — 1997 – C. Delores Tucker, lobbyist against gangsta rap lyrics, files suit against the estate of late rapper Tupac Shakur. The suit alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress, slander, and [...]

1996 – In North Carolina, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil allegedly belts — 1996 – In North Carolina, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil allegedly belts a fan trying to take his photograph. He’s arrested.

1995 – Rap star Hammer and his wife welcome a baby… — 1995 – Rap star Hammer and his wife welcome a baby boy, their third child, in San Jose, Calif.

1993 – Bob Dylan films the video for “Blood in My Eyes” in North London. — 1993 – Bob Dylan films the video for “Blood in My Eyes” in North London.

1990 – Former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters stage… — 1990 – Former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters stages a production of his rock opera, The Wall, in Berlin. Among the performers taking part in the benefit are Sinead O’Connor, [...]

1990 – The BBC issues an apology after one of its radio stations broadcasts — 1990 – The BBC issues an apology after one of its radio stations broadcasts a profanity-laden Madonna live performance.

1987 – Paul McCartney finishes recording Russian-language — 1987 – Paul McCartney finishes recording Russian-language versions of rock ‘n’ roll songs for his Soviet Union-only release Choba B CCCP. Person Paul McCartney Right click for SmartMenu shortcuts

1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Everytime You… — 1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Everytime You Go Away,” Paul Young.

1980 – Former Grateful Dead keyboardist Keith Godchaux’s car collides — 1980 – Former Grateful Dead keyboardist Keith Godchaux’s car collides with a flatbed truck in Marin County, Calif. He dies two days later.

1977 – In Tucson, Ariz., Linda Ronstadt joins the Rolling Stones onstag — 1977 – In Tucson, Ariz., Linda Ronstadt joins the Rolling Stones onstage to perform “Tumbling Dice.”

1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Hustle,” … — 1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Hustle,” Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony.

1973 – The city of Detroit declares today “Mary Wilson & the Supremes Day.” — 1973 – The city of Detroit declares today “Mary Wilson & the Supremes Day.”

1973 – Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin crash into the album top 20 — 1973 – Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin crash into the album top 20 with Love, Devotion, Surrender.

1971 – Jesus Christ Superstar mania seizes Pittsburgh. An audience — 1971 – Jesus Christ Superstar mania seizes Pittsburgh. An audience of 13,000 packs the Civic Arena to see a special performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

1970 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “(They Long to… — 1970 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” Carpenters.

1969 – The Who release their single “I’m Free” from Tommy… — 1969 – The Who release their single “I’m Free” from Tommy. It goes to No. 37.

1969 – To celebrate Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon on — 1969 – To celebrate Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon on July 20, Duke Ellington performs his specially commissioned composition “Moon Maiden” on ABC.

1962 – Watching American Bandstand today, you can catch up — 1962 – Watching American Bandstand today, you can catch up on Chubby Checker, performing his song “Dancin’ Party.”

1961 – Big Jim Martin, the scary-looking guitarist with Faith No More, is born — 1961 – Big Jim Martin, the scary-looking guitarist with Faith No More, is born in Oakland, Calif.

1956 – Johnny Cash goes to No. 1 on the country chart with “I Walk the Line.” — 1956 – Johnny Cash goes to No. 1 on the country chart with “I Walk the Line.”

1956 – Billboard dubs Elvis Presley “the most controversial entertainer — 1956 – Billboard dubs Elvis Presley “the most controversial entertainer since Liberace.”

1947 – Cat Stevens (Steven Georgiou) is born in Lo… — 1947 – Cat Stevens (Steven Georgiou) is born in London. He later changes his name to Yusef Islam after converting to the Muslim faith.

1946 – Herman’s Hermits drummer Barry Whitwam is born — 1946 – Herman’s Hermits drummer Barry Whitwam is born in Manchester, England.

1943 – Born on this day, Bobby Sherman, US singer, (1969 US No.3 — 1943 - Born on this day, Bobby Sherman, US singer, (1969 US No.3 single ‘Little Woman’ and six other US Top 30 hits).

1922 – Kay Starr is born in Dougherty, Okla. She b… — 1922 – Kay Starr is born in Dougherty, Okla. She begins her musical career with Joe Venuti’s orchestra at age 15. She sings briefly with Glenn Miller, Charlie Barnet and [...]