Rock History

On this day...

2012 – Celebrated American electric guitarist Eric Johnson kicks off his first ever solo UK tour on This Day in Rock History! — 2012 – Celebrated American electric guitarist Eric Johnson kicks off his first ever solo UK tour on This Day in Rock History! at the Holmfirth Picturedrome tomorrow night (Friday 6th [...]

2005 – Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof becomes the first member… — 2005 – Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof becomes the first member of the Boomtown Rats to ever be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – Country legend George Strait enters the album… — 2005 – Country legend George Strait enters the album chart at No. 1 with Somewhere Down in Texas. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Eight people are struck by lightning before a… — 2003 - Eight people are struck by lightning before a Dave Matthews Band concert in East Troy, Wisconsin. Further confirming suspicions that one “in fact” should not go to a [...]

2002 – Jimmie Lee Robinson, a Chicago blues stalwa… — 2002 – Jimmie Lee Robinson, a Chicago blues stalwart known for his pointed lyrics and storyteller’s sensibility is found dead in his car on Chicago’s southwest side. He is 71. [...]

1998 – Indonesian pop star Iwan Fals gives a free … — 1998 – Indonesian pop star Iwan Fals gives a free concert in Jakarta. More than 5,000 economically devastated people break out in a riot and charge the stage, hurling bottles [...]

1998 – Acclaimed cowboy singer and actor Roy Roger… — 1998 – Acclaimed cowboy singer and actor Roy Rogers, 86, dies in his sleep at his home in the desert community of Apple Valley, Calif. The “King of the Cowboys” [...]

1995 – A day after the Justice Department refuses to… — 1995 – A day after the Justice Department refuses to investigate Ticketmaster, Pearl Jam issues a statement saying they are “disappointed” in the result. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Van Halen’s “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge… — 1991 – Van Halen’s “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge’‘ debuts at No. 1 on Chart Toppers’s pop album chart. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (also known as F.U.C.K.) is the ninth album by [...]

1987 – Here’s a sticky situation. Kris Kristofferson was given… — 1987 – Here’s a sticky situation. Kris Kristofferson was given a plaque by a Vietnam veterans’ group after playing a benefit concert for it on July 4. Later the award [...]

1980 – 36 Ted Nugent fans are arrested for supposedly… — 1980 – 36 Ted Nugent fans are arrested for supposedly smoking pot and throwing bottles at the Gonzo Rocker’s Concert, in Hollywood, Fla. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1976 – The Damned give their performance debut at … — 1976 – The Damned give their performance debut at the 100 Club in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – Queen release their debut single in the… — 1973 – Queen release their debut single in the U.K., “Keep Yourself Alive.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Trumpeter Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong dies…. — 1971 – Trumpeter Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong dies. He had turned 71 two days earlier. He wins a Grammy in 1965 as Best Male Vocal Performance for “Hello Dolly,” a Lifetime [...]

1967 – Pink Floyd perform for the third time on the BBC’s… — 1967 – Pink Floyd perform for the third time on the BBC’s Top of the Pops, promoting their successful “See Emily Play” single. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “(I Can’t Get… — 1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” The Rolling Stones. It is the Stones’ first No. 1 single in the U.S. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – The No. 1 album in the U.S. is Beatles VI… — 1965 – The No. 1 album in the U.S. is Beatles VI. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – The Beatles’ first film, “A Hard Day’s Nig… — 1964 – The Beatles’ first film, “A Hard Day’s Night,” premieres in London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – A Hard Day’s Night premieres in London… — 1964 – A Hard Day’s Night premieres in London before Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon at the London Pavilion. The Beatles won’t get a chance to see the finished [...]

1956 – Paul McCartney Meets John Lennon of The Quarry Men — 1956 – Paul McCartney Meets John Lennon of The Quarry Men It was Saturday, July 6th, 1956 and John Lennon’s skiffle group, The Quarry Men, were playing Woolton Village Church [...]

1955 – “Baby Let’s Play House” becomes Elvis… — 1955 – “Baby Let’s Play House” becomes Elvis Presley’s first top 10 country hit. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1954 – Sam Phillips gives Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips… — 1954 – Sam Phillips gives Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips (no relation) an acetate of Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right (Mama)” to play on his radio show. DJ Wink Martindale later [...]

1946 – Sly Stallone comes to this world. Hail The Italian… — 1946 – Sly Stallone comes to this world. Hail The Italian Stallion. He also directed (and co-wrote) Staying Alive. “shiver”… Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1937 – “Duke of Earl” Gene Chandler (Eugene Dixo… — 1937 – “Duke of Earl” Gene Chandler (Eugene Dixon) is born in Chicago. His biggest hit is “Duke of Earl,” which tops Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 for three weeks in [...]

1925 – Rock `n’ roll pioneer Bill Haley (William J… — 1925 – Rock `n’ roll pioneer Bill Haley (William John Clifton Haley Jr.) is born in Highland Park, a section of Detroit. The biggest hit for Bill Haley & His [...]