Rock History

On this day...

2009 – A Queen fan won a private two-hour guitar lesson with Brian May — 2009 – A Queen fan won a private two-hour guitar lesson with Brian May after bidding more than £7,500 at a charity auction in London. The auction was held in [...]

2005 – Performances from some of the world’s most … — 2005 – Performances from some of the world’s most popular and influential bands highlight the conclusion of sixth Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field in [...]

2005 – Matchbox 20 singer Rob Thomas went to No.1 on the US — 2005 – Matchbox 20 singer Rob Thomas went to No.1 on the US album chart with his first solo album ‘Something To Be.’ This marked the first time a male [...]

2005 – Bruce Springsteen’s Devils & Dust tops the U.K. album… — 2005 – Bruce Springsteen’s Devils & Dust tops the U.K. album chart in its first week of release. Crooner Tony Christie’s version of Paul Anka’s “(Is This the [...]

2005 – Nine Inch Nails close the Coachella Festival in California… — 2005 – Nine Inch Nails close the Coachella Festival in California. Other performers during the day included New Order, The Bravery and Mos Def. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – Coldplay became the first British band to have a new entry in — 2005 – Coldplay became the first British band to have a new entry in the US Top 10 singles chart since The Beatles. Coldplay’s latest single ‘Speed Of Sound’ entered [...]

2001 – “Touring Band 2000,” the first full-length … — 2001 – “Touring Band 2000,” the first full-length DVD featuring Pearl Jam, is released. The three-hour disc features 28 live songs filmed in various cities during the band’s 2000 U.S. [...]

2000 – The song “Livin’ La Vida Loca” receives top… — 2000 – The song “Livin’ La Vida Loca” receives top honors at BMI’s Seventh annual Latin Awards gala at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The Ricky Martin smash, which was [...]

2000 – Singer/actress Vanessa L. Williams gives bi… — 2000 – Singer/actress Vanessa L. Williams gives birth to a daughter in New York. The child, Sasha, is the first for Williams and her husband, L.A. Lakers forward Rick Fox. Be [...]

2000 – Former Village Voice writer Jimmy McDonough… — 2000 – Former Village Voice writer Jimmy McDonough sues veteran rocker Neil Young for $1.8 million for fraud. The suit stems from the musicians alleged refusal to allow publication of [...]

1999 – An exhibition of Paul McCartney’s paintings, including… — 1999 – An exhibition of Paul McCartney’s paintings, including a portrait of David Bowie, opens in Siegen, Germany. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1998 – Garth Brooks surprises lucky concert goers … — 1998 – Garth Brooks surprises lucky concert goers in Evansville, Ind. with the news that they had bought the 4 millionth ticket to his current world tour. Greg and Melissa [...]

1998 – Columbia Records presents Jeff Buckley’s po… — 1998 – Columbia Records presents Jeff Buckley’s posthumous set, “Sketches for `My Sweetheart, The Drunk,’” in its entirety during an online listening session. The webcast, at http://www.jeffbuckley.com, includes “Gunshot Glitter,” [...]

1998 – Beleaguered rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg is arre… — 1998 – Beleaguered rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg is arrested for possession of marijuana. Snoop and MC Delmar Arnaud are each found with less than an ounce of the drug, and [...]

1995 – Live’s “Throwing Copper” hits the top slo… — 1995 – Live’s “Throwing Copper” hits the top slot on the Chart Toppers album charts exactly one year after the day of its release. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – A man is arrested on charges of repeatedly attempting to trespass… — 1993 – A man is arrested on charges of repeatedly attempting to trespass on Michael Jackson’s Encino, Calif., estate. He was probably just looking for his kids!  DOH! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – Supermodel Naomi Campbell announces her engagement to U2… — 1993 – Supermodel Naomi Campbell announces her engagement to U2 bassist Adam Clayton. The couple later break it off. DUDE… YOU SCORED!!! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – International singing star Sergio Franchi, … — 1990 – International singing star Sergio Franchi, who recorded 25 albums and won a Tony for his starring role in the Broadway musical “Nine,” dies at his Connecticut estate after [...]

1988 – Billy Joel is cleared of defamation charges after calling Jack Powers… — 1988 – Billy Joel is cleared of defamation charges after calling Jack Powers, a songwriter who sued Joel for plagiarism, a “creep” in a Playboy interview. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1987 – A U.S. federal court rules that a British retailer cannot sell… — 1987 – A U.S. federal court rules that a British retailer cannot sell unlicensed Elvis Presley merchandise. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – The Rolling Stones shoot their “One Hit to the Body” video… — 1986 – The Rolling Stones shoot their “One Hit to the Body” video, in which Mick and Keith vent their frustrations by smacking each other during the guitar [...]

1984 – Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac files for b… — 1984 – Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac files for bankruptcy. Pictured far right. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – The Clash begin their first tour of England at London’s Roxy. — 1977 – The Clash begin their first tour of England at London’s Roxy. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – In one of their best-ever publicity stunts, the Rolling Stones… — 1975 – In one of their best-ever publicity stunts, the Rolling Stones announce their Tour of the Americas by playing “Brown Sugar” on the back of a flatbed [...]

1974 – The Carpenters perform at President Nixon’s… — 1974 – The Carpenters perform at President Nixon’s request at a White House dinner for West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Bachman-Turner Overdrive release their self-titled debut album. — 1973 – Bachman-Turner Overdrive release their self-titled debut album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1972 – Paul Simon releases his self-titled solo debut album… — 1972 – Paul Simon releases his self-titled solo debut album, which contains the hit “Mother and Child Reunion.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – In New York, Bob Dylan records with George Harrison… — 1970 – In New York, Bob Dylan records with George Harrison. The two mess around on the Beatles’ “Yesterday,” Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” and “Da Doo [...]

1969 – Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash videotape a special to appear… — 1969 – Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash videotape a special to appear on ABC. They play Dylan’s “I Threw It All Away,” “Living the Blues,” and “Girl From [...]

1969 – Neil Young releases Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. — 1969 – Neil Young releases Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Jimi Hendrix is busted for narcotics possession at Toronto… — 1969 – Jimi Hendrix is busted for narcotics possession at Toronto Airport. He is released on $10,000 bail. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – Born on this day, D’arcy Wretsky-Brown, bass, Smashing Pumpkins — 1968 – Born on this day, D’arcy Wretsky-Brown, bass, Smashing Pumpkins, (1995 US No.1 album ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’, 1996 UK No.7 single ‘Tonight Tonight’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu. … — 1967 – Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Born on this day, Johnny Colt, The Black Crowes, (1991 UK No.39 single ‘Hard To Handle — 1966 – Born on this day, Johnny Colt, The Black Crowes, (1991 UK No.39 single ‘Hard To Handle’, 1991 US No.4 album ‘Shake Your Money Maker’, 1992 US No.1 & [...]

1966 – The Beatles play their last show for a paying… — 1966 – The Beatles play their last show for a paying audience in Britain at the NME Poll Winners’ Party. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – Bandleader Spike Jones dies at age 62. Spik… — 1964 – Bandleader Spike Jones dies at age 62. Spike Jones & His City Slickers were one of the most popular novelty acts of the 1940s and ’50s. The band’s [...]

1963 – Lesley Gore performs “It’s My Party” on American Bandstand… — 1963 – Lesley Gore performs “It’s My Party” on American Bandstand. She also played “Pussycat” on Batman from the 1960′s sitcom. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1957 – Steve Farris, Mr Mister, is born on This Day in Rock! — 1957 – Steve Farris, Mr Mister, is born on This Day in Rock! Hits:(1985 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single ‘Broken Wings’); and Kyrie. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1956 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Heartbreak Ho… — 1956 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Heartbreak Hotel,” Elvis Presley. The song is Presley’s first No. 1 single. Chart Toppers ranks it the No. 1 single of 1956. Be [...]

1954 – Ray Parker Jr., writer of the “Ghostbusters… — 1954 – Ray Parker Jr., writer of the “Ghostbusters” movie theme, is born in Detroit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Born on this day, Nick Fortune, bass, The Buckinghams, (1967 US No.1 single — 1946 – Born on this day, Nick Fortune, bass, The Buckinghams, (1967 US No.1 single ‘Kind Of A Drag’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – Born on this day, Rita Coolidge, US singer, songwriter, backing singer with Joe Cocke — 1944 – Born on this day, Rita Coolidge, US singer, songwriter, backing singer with Joe Cocker, Delaney and Bonnie, solo, (1977 UK No.6 & US No.7 single ‘We’re All Alone’). [...]

1939 – Judy Collins is born in Seattle. She will m… — 1939 – Judy Collins is born in Seattle. She will make her public debut at age 13 on piano with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1933 – R&B singer/songwriter Titus Turner is born in Atlanta… — 1933 – R&B singer/songwriter Titus Turner is born in Atlanta. His compositions, such as “Leave My Kitten Alone,” have been covered by artists including the Beatles, Elvis Presley, [...]

1930 – Born on this day, blues artist, Little Walter. First harmonica player to amplify — 1930 – Born on this day, blues artist, Little Walter. First harmonica player to amplify his harmonica giving it a distorted echoing sound. He died on February 15th 1968. Be [...]