Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Bobby Z, 55, the music producer best known as a drummer for Prince — 2011 – Bobby Z, 55, the music producer best known as a drummer for Prince, is in critical condition in a Twin Cities hospital after a heart attack. Adam Rivkin, his [...]

2008 – The Spice Girls cut short their reunion world tour, blaming “family — Spice Girls 2008 -  The Spice Girls cut short their reunion world tour, blaming “family and personal commitments”. The band said they would end their tour in Toronto on 26 February, [...]

2008 – Spears’ father takes over estate… — 2008 – Spears’ father takes over estate Britney Spears Spears faces an ongoing custody battle for her sons Singer Britney Spears has had control of her estate and her own welfare taken from [...]

2007 – US keyboardist Joe Hunter, a veteran session musician as one of — Joe Hunter 2007 – US keyboardist Joe Hunter, a veteran session musician as one of the Funk Brothers who helped craft the distinctive Motown sound, died in Detroit, Michigan, at the [...]

2007 – Billy Henderson, one of the founders of US soul group — Billy Henderson 2007 – Billy Henderson, one of the founders of US soul group The Spinners, died aged 67 after complications from diabetes.Had the 1980 UK No.1 & US No.2 single [...]

2006 – Rapper/producer James Yancey aka J Dilla di… — 2006 – Rapper/producer James Yancey aka J Dilla dies in Los Angeles at the age of 32. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear… — 2006 – Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear announce they are splitting after 11 years of marriage. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2005 – former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty was arrested on — Guitarist Pete Doherty 2005 – former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of theft and assault. He was held in custody at a north London police station after an [...]

2005 – Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington visits southern Thailand… — 2005 – Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington visits southern Thailand to assess the damage left by the 2004 tsunami. He visits two elementary schools and helps paint a house with other [...]

2005 – Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial … — 2005 – Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial is adjourned early after 4000 potential jurors are whittled down to a final 250. Experts say jury selection could take up to a [...]

2004 – TV network CBS apologised for its broadcast of the American Super — 2004 – TV network CBS apologised for its broadcast of the American Super Bowl after Janet Jackson was left exposed when Justin Timberlake ripped her top. The pair had been [...]

2004 – Natalie Maines, singer with the Dixie Chicks (“Landslide”)… — 2004 – Natalie Maines, singer with the Dixie Chicks (“Landslide”), announces she is expecting her second child. She and actor Adrian Pasdar also have a son, Slade. Be Sociable, [...]

2004 – Clive Davis, the record exec who has helped steer… — 2004 – Clive Davis, the record exec who has helped steer the careers of Whitney Houston, Santana and Alicia Keys, is made head of BMG Records. BMG’s current [...]

2004 – Courtney Love announces plans to publish her diaries… — 2004 – Courtney Love announces plans to publish her diaries. Her agent says, “The book features Courtney’s legendary writings that have been whispered and wondered about for years [...]

2004 – Roll another fat one! Jam band extraordinaire Phish… — 2004 – Roll another fat one! Jam band extraordinaire Phish go back into the studio to record the follow-up to 2002′s Round Room. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2004 – Internet leaks of the new Janet Jackson tra… — 2004 – Internet leaks of the new Janet Jackson track “Just a Little While” spur Virgin Records to digitally deliver the cut to U.S. radio outlets. The Dallas Austin-produced song, [...]

2003 – Jennifer Lopez started a three week run at No.1 on the — 2003 – Jennifer Lopez started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘All I Have’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – Russian girl duo Tatu started a four — Tatu 2003 – Russian girl duo Tatu started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘All The Things She Said’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – The P.P.L. (Phonographic Performance Ltd), launched performersmoney — The Kinks 2002 – The P.P.L. (Phonographic Performance Ltd), launched performersmoney.com for artists to check if they were owed any of the £10 million ($17 million) in unclaimed money. It showed [...]

2001 – Ted Nugent refused city key of Detroit… — 2001 – Ted Nugent learns he isn’t getting the key to Detroit after city elders tell the mayor about some of the guitarist’s more controversial views. “I have [...]

2001 – Not only does Jennifer Lopez hold down the No. 1 album… — 2001 – Not only does Jennifer Lopez hold down the No. 1 album spot on the charts with J. Lo, she also has the No. 1 movie in the [...]

2001 – Songwriter Hal Blair dies at his home in Bi… — 2001 – Songwriter Hal Blair dies at his home in Biggs, Calif. He is 85. The Kansas City, Mo.-born Blair, also a musician and actor, wrote “I Was The One” [...]

2001 – Bad Manners singer Buster Bloodvessel was told he was ‘too fat’ to — Bad Manners 2001 – Bad Manners singer Buster Bloodvessel was told he was ‘too fat’ to survive an urgently needed operation. Buster collapsed on stage during a show in Italy but [...]

2000 – Moby kicked off a 9-date UK tour at the Anson — Moby 2000 – Moby kicked off a 9-date UK tour at the Anson Rooms, Bristol. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – David McComb, former leader of the Triffids… — 1999 – David McComb, former leader of the Triffids and Black-Eyed Susans, dies in Melbourne. He is 37. McComb had been involved in a car accident three days earlier but [...]

1996 – Bob Dylan plays a special corporate gig… — 1996 – Bob Dylan plays a special corporate gig for 250 employees of Nomura Securities International, Inc. at Phoenix’s Biltmore Hotel. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1993 – Willie Nelson and the IRS settle their long… — 1993 – Willie Nelson and the IRS settle their longstanding tax feud. The government will keep $3.6 million in assets it already seized and Nelson will pay $5.4 million of [...]

1992 – Musician Todd Rundgren and his wife, singer… — 1992 – Musician Todd Rundgren and his wife, singer Michele Gray, have a son in San Francisco. They name the child Rebop. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – Sting scored his second UK No.1 album with ‘The — Sting 1991 – Sting scored his second UK No.1 album with ‘The Soul Cages’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – George Michael received undisclosed damages — George Michael 1989 -  George Michael received undisclosed damages in excess of £100,000 ($170,000) from The Sun newspaper over articles printed that stated Michael had gatecrashed a party given by Andrew [...]

1985 – Foreigner started a two-week run at No.1 on the US singles c — Foreigner 1985 – Foreigner started a two-week run at No.1 on the US singles charts with ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, also a UK No.1. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Africa,” To… — 1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Africa,” Toto. The group dominates the 1983 Grammy Awards, winning in six categories including Record of the Year (“Rosanna”) and Album of [...]

1981 – REO Speedwagon’s 10th album… — 1981 – REO Speedwagon’s 10th album, Hi Infidelity, goes platinum. 1. Don’t Let Him Go  3:48 2. Keep On Loving You  3:22 3. Follow My Heart  3:48 4. In Your Letter  3:20 5. Take [...]

1980 – A large gathering of London punks remember Sid Vicious… — 1980 – A large gathering of London punks remember Sid Vicious by participating in a march from the borough of Chelsea to the famed Hyde Park. The parade [...]

1979 – Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols dies of a he… — 1979 – Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols dies of a heroin overdose less than four months after fatally stabbing his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, at New York’s Chelsea Hotel. Be Sociable, [...]

1978 – Van Halen is released this day in rock history! — Van Halen 1978 – Van Halen is released this day in rock history! Release date: 1978-02-10 Van Halen is a hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. They enjoyed success from [...]

1977 – Born on this day, Shakira, (Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll), singer — Shakira 1977 – Born on this day, Shakira, (Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll), singer, (2002 UK No.2 single ‘Whenever Wherever’, 2006 world-wide No.1 single ‘Hips Don’t Lie’). Highest selling Colombian artist [...]

1974 – The Carpenters started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album — The Carpenters 1974 – The Carpenters started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘The Singles 1969-73′, featuring 12 hits and the US No.1 ‘Top Of [...]

1973 – Keith Emerson’s hands are injured during a … — 1973 – Keith Emerson’s hands are injured during a performance by Emerson, Lake & Palmer in San Francisco. His piano, rigged to explode as a stunt, detonates prematurely. C’est La Vie By [...]

1972 – during a UK tour Stevie Wonder appeared at the Manchester — Stevie Wonder 1972 – during a UK tour Stevie Wonder appeared at the Manchester Odeon, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Born on this day, Ben Mize, drums, Counting Crows, (1994 UK — Ben Mize 1971 – Born on this day, Ben Mize, drums, Counting Crows, (1994 UK No.28 single ‘Mr Jones’, 1996 US No.1 album, ‘Recovering The Satellites’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – To headline its ’60s retrospective feature, today’s issue of Look magazine… — 1970 – To headline its ’60s retrospective feature, today’s issue of Look magazine uses a classic Beatles quote: “I read the news today, oh boy.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Born on this day, John Spence, singer, original member of No Doubt — No Doubt 1969 – Born on this day, John Spence, singer, original member of No Doubt in the late 1980′s. Committed suicide on December 21st 1987 by shooting himself. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1969 – Yoko Ono divorced her husband Tony Cox, Yoko was granted c — Yoko Ono 1969 – Yoko Ono divorced her husband Tony Cox, Yoko was granted custody of their daughter Kyoko. John Lennon and married Yoko the following month on 30th March. Be Sociable, [...]

1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience played live on UK TV show — Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience played live on UK TV show Top Of The Pops performing ‘Purple Haze.’ Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Love,” P… — 1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Love,” Petula Clark. Clark is the first British woman to have two No. 1 hits in the United States – the [...]

1966 – Born on this day, Robert Deleo, bass, Stone Temple Pilots, — Stone Temple Pilots 1966 – Born on this day, Robert Deleo, bass, Stone Temple Pilots, (1993 UK No.23 single ‘Plush’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – Born on this day, Steve Firth, bass, Embrace, (2006 UK No. 2 — Steve Firth 1966 – Born on this day, Steve Firth, bass, Embrace, (2006 UK No. 2 single ‘Natures Law’, 2006 UK No.1 album ‘This New Day’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – The Rolling Stones released ’19th Nervous Breakdown’ — 1966 – The Rolling Stones released ’19th Nervous Breakdown’ it peaked at No.2 on the UK singles chart. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – Born on this day, Charlie Heather, drums, The Levellers — Charlie Heather 1964 – Born on this day, Charlie Heather, drums, The Levellers, (1995 UK No.12 single ‘Just The One’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – Eva Marie Cassidy (February 2, 1963 – November 2, 1996) was an — 1963 – Eva Marie Cassidy (February 2, 1963 – November 2, 1996) was an American vocalist known for her interpretations of jazz, blues, folk, gospel, country and pop classics. In [...]

1963 – Born on this day, Eva Cassidy, US singer. She is the only artist — Eva Cassidy 1963 – Born on this day, Eva Cassidy, US singer. She is the only artist to score three posthumous UK No.1 albums: 2001’s ‘Songbird’; 2002’s ‘Imagine’ and 2003’s ‘American [...]

1963 – Cliff Richard and The Shadows started a 14-week run at No.1 — Cliff Richard 1963 – Cliff Richard and The Shadows started a 14-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Summer Holiday’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1963 – The Beatles played at the Gaumont Cinema, Bradford on the opening — The Beatles 1963 – The Beatles played at the Gaumont Cinema, Bradford on the opening night of the nationwide Helen Shapiro UK tour. The Beatles were at the bottom of the [...]

1962 – The Beatles played their first professionally organised gig outside — 1962 – The Beatles played their first professionally organised gig outside of Liverpool at The Oasis Club, Manchester. The group’s set started with their version of ‘Hippy Hippy Shake.’ Be Sociable, [...]

1959 – appearing at Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa, Buddy Holly — 1959 – appearing at Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa, Buddy Holly, Richard Valens and The Big Bopper. This was all three acts last ever gig before being killed in a [...]

1957 – Fats Domino appears on TV’s “Perry Como Sh… — 1957 – Fats Domino appears on TV’s “Perry Como Show” to sing his hit singles “Blueberry Hill” and “Blue Monday.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1949 – Born on this day, Ross Valory, bass, Steve Miller Band, Journey — 1949 – Born on this day, Ross Valory, bass, Steve Miller Band, Journey, No Nation… and more. (1974 US No.1 & 1990 UK No.1 single ‘The Joker’). That Ross Playin’ that [...]

1948 – Born on this day, Alan Mckay, guitar, Earth Wind and Fire, — Earth, Wind and Fire 1948 – Born on this day, Alan Mckay, guitar, Earth Wind and Fire, (1975 US No.1 single ‘Shining Star’, 1981 UK No.3 single ‘Let’s Groove’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Born on this day, Peter Lucia, Tommy James and the Shondells — 1947 – Born on this day, Peter Lucia, Tommy James and the Shondells, (1966 US No.1 single ‘Hanky Panky’, 1968 UK No.1 single ‘Mony Mony’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1947 – Born on this day, Derek Sulman, Simon Dupree And The Big — 1947 – Born on this day, Derek Sulman, Simon Dupree And The Big Sound, (1967 UK No.9 single ‘Kites’. Member of Gentle Giant. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Born on this day, Howard Bellamy, Bellamy Brothers, (1976 U — 1946 – Born on this day, Howard Bellamy, Bellamy Brothers, (1976 US No.1 single ‘Let Your Love Flow’, 1979 UK No.3 single ‘If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body [...]

1945 – Born on this day, Ronnie Goodson, John Fred and — 1945 – Born on this day, Ronnie Goodson, John Fred and His Playboy Band, (1968 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘Judy In Disguise’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1943 – Born on this day, Peter Macbeth, The Foundations, (1967 — 1943 – Born on this day, Peter Macbeth, The Foundations, (1967 UK No.1 single ‘Baby Now That I’ve Found You’, 1969 US No.3 single ‘Build Me Up A Buttercup’). Be Sociable, [...]

1942 – Born on this day, Graham Nash, guitar, vocals, with The Hollies — 1942 – Born on this day, Graham Nash, guitar, vocals, with The Hollies who he left in 1968. Member of Crosby Stills Nash & Young, (1969 UK No.17 single ‘Marrakesh [...]

1940 – Born on this day in Rock, Alan Caddy, the guitarist for The Tornadoes. — 1940 – Born on this day in Rock, Alan Caddy, the guitarist for The Tornadoes. Hits include: 1962 UK & US No.1 single with ‘Telstar’. This was the first [...]