Rock History

On this day...

2010 -Black Country Communion’s self titled debut album has charted at #13 in the Official UK Top — 2010 -Black Country Communion’s self titled debut album has charted at #13 in the Official UK Top 40 Album Chart – www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/albums The album has also hit #1 in Official UK [...]

2007 – Foo Fighters went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Echoes Silence Patience — 2007 – Foo Fighters went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Echoes Silence Patience & Grace’ the bands sixth studio album and second UK No.1. Reba McEntire was [...]

2006 – Remember cherubic boy trio Hanson? The oldest member, Isaac, — 2006 – Remember cherubic boy trio Hanson? The oldest member, Isaac, marries his longtime sweetheart Nicole Dufresne in Tulsa, Okla. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Farm Aid co-founders Willie Nelson, John Me… — 2006 – Farm Aid co-founders Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young are joined by Dave Matthews, Steel Pulse, Gov’t Mule, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gov’t Mule, Steve Earle and Allison [...]

2004 – R&B songstress Ciara continues her chart reign as the single “Goodies — 2004 – R&B songstress Ciara continues her chart reign as the single “Goodies,” featuring rapper Petey Pablo, remains at No. 1 for a fifth straight week. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – The House of Blues cancels a performance by dancehall star — 2004 – The House of Blues cancels a performance by dancehall star Capleton in Hollywood after a gay and lesbian community group complain about his homophobic lyrics. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Troubled grunge poster child Courtney Love is sued by a Los Angeles — 2004 – Troubled grunge poster child Courtney Love is sued by a Los Angeles travel agency who claims she owes them nearly $50,000 for unpaid airline tickets. Who…. lil’ ole’ [...]

2004 – UK R&B singer Jamelia and Kanye West each win three awards — 2004 – UK R&B singer Jamelia and Kanye West each win three awards at the Music of Black Origin Awards in London. A protest is held outside the venue in [...]

2003 – English songbird Dido releases Life for Rent, the follow-up to her — 2003 – English songbird Dido releases Life for Rent, the follow-up to her multi-million-selling debut No Angel. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Sting releases his seventh solo album Sacred Love. Dominated by — 2003 – Sting releases his seventh solo album Sacred Love. Dominated by spiritual and political concerns, the album peaks at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Elton John auctions off the contents of his London home at Sotheby’ — 2003 – Elton John auctions off the contents of his London home at Sotheby’s. John says he needs to make room for his collection of photographs and modern art. Be Sociable, [...]

2003 – Madonna is sued by the son of the late fashion photographer Guy Boudin — 2003 – Madonna is sued by the son of the late fashion photographer Guy Boudin, who claims the singer/kids book author copied his dad’s imagery in her video for “Hollywood.” Be [...]

2003 – Rockabilly singer/guitarist Ronnie Dawson d… — 2003 – Rockabilly singer/guitarist Ronnie Dawson dies at his East Dallas home after a yearlong fight with throat cancer. He is 64. Ronald F. “Ronnie” Dawson (born August 11, 1939 in [...]

1998 – Blues guitar prodigy Jonny Lang, rock guita… — 1998 – Blues guitar prodigy Jonny Lang, rock guitarist Slash, punk rocker Joey Ramone, and Cheap Trickster Rick Nelson are among the musicians who guest-star on “The Drew Carey Show.” [...]

1997 – Bob Dylan releases Time Out of Mind. Critics call it a masterpiece this day — 1997 – Bob Dylan releases Time Out of Mind. Critics call it a masterpiece this day in rock history! Time Out of Mind is Bob Dylan’s 30th studio album, released in [...]

1997 – U2 cause controversy during its show in Tel… — 1997 – U2 cause controversy during its show in Tel Aviv, Israel, with frontman Bono appealing for the release from imprisonment of nuclear secrets traitor Mordechai Vanunu. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – Randy Travis becomes the first artist to in… — 1997 – Randy Travis becomes the first artist to ink a deal with DreamWorks Records Nashville. His signing instantly raises the stock of the new country label. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – Patty Loveless releases her ninth album “Lo… — 1997 – Patty Loveless releases her ninth album “Long Stretch of Lonesome.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – Fleetwood Mac’s reunion show at the Contine… — 1997 – Fleetwood Mac’s reunion show at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J., grosses a house record of $1,094,520. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1996 – In the middle of performing his big hit “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me” — 1996 – In the middle of performing his big hit “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me” in Montague, Mass., Tiny Tim suffers a heart attack and has to be taken [...]

1994 – Michael Stipe signs a movie development deal with New Line — 1994 – Michael Stipe signs a movie development deal with New Line Cinema this day in rock history! Where are these movies??? And did he play the bad guy? hmmmm Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – Kate Pierson of the B-52′s stages a sit-in to protest fur clothing at Vogue — 1993 – Kate Pierson of the B-52′s stages a sit-in to protest fur clothing at Vogue magazine’s editorial offices. She’s arrested by New York cops. Throw Rock Lobsters at them! Be Sociable, [...]

1993 – George Harrison and David Crosby make guest… — 1993 – George Harrison and David Crosby make guest appearances on the fifth season premiere of the Fox animated comedy series “The Simpsons.” “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet” is the first episode of [...]

1992 – Songwriter Paul Jabara dies of AIDS-related… — 1992 – Songwriter Paul Jabara dies of AIDS-related causes in Los Angeles at age 44. He wrote disco-era classics like the Academy Award-winning “Last Dance” (performed by Donna Summer), “It’s [...]

1991 – Entertainer Liza Minnelli receives a star o… — 1991 – Entertainer Liza Minnelli receives a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Her mother, Judy Garland, has three stars on the famous boulevard. Her legs Rock! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – At Foxboro-Sullivan Stadium in Massachusetts, the Rolling Stones shoot — 1989 – At Foxboro-Sullivan Stadium in Massachusetts, the Rolling Stones shoot the video for “Rock and a Hard Place.” (M. Jagger/K. Richards) The fields of Eden Are full of trash And if we beg [...]

1988 – John Lennon gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this day — 1988 – John Lennon gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this day in rock history! Way to go John… but it’s a little LATE! John received a [...]

1987 – L.A.’s Coconut Grove plays host to an all-star gathering as Bruce Springsteen — 1987 – L.A.’s Coconut Grove plays host to an all-star gathering as Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, and Elvis Costello join Roy Orbison onstage to tape a TV special. [...]

1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Total Eclips… — 1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” Bonnie Tyler. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – Ringo Starr releases Ringo the 4th. Rolling Stone declares, “Lacking humor — 1977 – Ringo Starr releases Ringo the 4th. Rolling Stone declares, “Lacking humor, Ringo the 4th adds up to little more than the seedy extravagance of an exiled aristocrat whose [...]

1977 – Sound techie Jay Sloatman brawls with a crew of Lynyrd Skynyrd roadies — 1977 – Sound techie Jay Sloatman brawls with a crew of Lynyrd Skynyrd roadies who believe he deliberately cut the sound during the band’s set at the Louisville Convention Center [...]

1977 – It’s a peaceful time over at New York’s Palladium, where Foghat (“Slow Ride”) — 1977 – It’s a peaceful time over at New York’s Palladium, where Foghat (“Slow Ride”) play a benefit. The money raised will help the New York Public Library buy a [...]

1971 – Yes begin a British tour with Rick Wakeman behind the keyboards — 1971 – Yes begin a British tour with Rick Wakeman behind the keyboards for the first time this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Maggie May,’… — 1971 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Maggie May,” Rod Stewart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Tragedy strikes David Crosby, as the CSN member’s girlfriend Christine — 1969 – Tragedy strikes David Crosby, as the CSN member’s girlfriend Christine Gail Hinton dies in a car crash north of San Francisco. The same day, Crosby, Stills & Nash [...]

1968 – Hunter Davies publishes The Beatles, the band’s first authorized — 1968 – Hunter Davies publishes The Beatles, the band’s first authorized biography this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Paul McCartney and John Lennon appear on The David Frost Show — 1967 – Paul McCartney and John Lennon appear on The David Frost Show, but all they want to talk about is how wonderful the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Chas Chandler offers Noel Redding the job of bass player — 1966 – Chas Chandler offers Noel Redding the job of bass player in Jimi Hendrix’s new band, the Experience. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – “Mellow Yellow” Donovan makes his U.S. television debut on … — 1965 – “Mellow Yellow” Donovan makes his U.S. television debut on the “Shindig” musical variety show. Shindig hosts two of England’s new singing sensations, Donovan and the Hollies. They Call ‘Mellow [...]

1964 – In the studio, the Beatles continue recording “Every Little Thing — 1964 – In the studio, the Beatles continue recording “Every Little Thing,” “What You’re Doing,” and “No Reply.” this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – Born on this day, Robby Takac, bass, Goo Goo Dolls (1999 UK No. 26 — Goo Goo Dolls 1964 – Born on this day, Robby Takac, bass, Goo Goo Dolls (1999 UK No. 26 single ‘Iris’, 2002 US No.3 album ‘Gutterflower’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – New York promoter Sid Bernstein contacts Brian Epstein. Sid — 1963 – New York promoter Sid Bernstein contacts Brian Epstein. Sid wants to know more about these Beatles he keeps hearing about, even though they have yet to score a [...]

1962 – Rap producer Marley Marl is born in Queens, N.Y. His pioneering — 1962 – Rap producer Marley Marl is born in Queens, N.Y. His pioneering work includes LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1961 – In the midst of an engagement at Gerde’s Folk City in Greenwich Village — 1961 – In the midst of an engagement at Gerde’s Folk City in Greenwich Village, Bob Dylan fits in a little studio time. He contributes harmonica to three songs recorded [...]

1959 – Polish singer Basia (“Time and Tide”) is born in Jaworzno. Sh — 1959 – Polish singer Basia (“Time and Tide”) is born in Jaworzno. She wisely dropped her surname, Trzetrzelewska, before getting into show biz THIS DAY IN ROCK HISTORY! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1955 – James Dean, whose iconic stance in films like Rebel Without — 1955 – James Dean, whose iconic stance in films like Rebel Without a Cause influenced countless rockers, dies in an automobile accident. He was 24. James Dean: one of the most [...]

1955 – Flautist Frankie Kennedy, who founded the popular Celtic band Altan — 1955 – Flautist Frankie Kennedy, who founded the popular Celtic band Altan, is born this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Marc Bolan (Marc Feld) of T. Rex is born in… — 1947 – Marc Bolan (Marc Feld) of T. Rex is born in London. Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977), was an English singer, songwriter and [...]

1946 – Guitarist Moses Dillard is born in Greenville, S.C. Working out of — 1946 – Guitarist Moses Dillard is born in Greenville, S.C. Working out of Muscle Shoals, he’s played on records by Al Green, Mighty Sam, and James and Bobby Purify. Be Sociable, [...]

1943 – Marilyn McCoo of the 5th Dimension is born … — 1943 – Marilyn McCoo of the 5th Dimension is born in Jersey City, N.J. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1942 – Frankie Lymon is born in Harlem, N.Y. With his group the Teenagers, the — 1942 – Frankie Lymon is born in Harlem, N.Y. With his group the Teenagers, the vocalist went to No. 6 in 1956 with “Why Do Fools Fall in Love.” Drummer [...]

1935 – Singer Johnny Mathis is born in San Francis… — 1935 – Singer Johnny Mathis is born in San Francisco. He gets a track scholarship to San Francisco State College and is invited to the Olympic try-outs, but chooses a [...]

1933 – Born on this day, Soul singer Cissy Houston, and mother of Whitney — 1933 – Born on this day, Soul singer Cissy Houston, and mother of Whitney Houston. Member of Sweet Inspirations, The Drinkard Singers, (with Dionne Warwick), back-up singer with Elvis Presley, [...]