Rock History

On this day...

2008 – The first guitar torched on stage by Jimi Hendrix sold for £280,000 — 2008 – The first guitar torched on stage by Jimi Hendrix sold for £280,000 at an auction of rock memorabilia. The Fender Stratocaster was burned at the end [...]

2005 – Gorillaz scores its first U.K. No. 1 single… — 2005 – Gorillaz scores its first U.K. No. 1 single with “Dare,” while boy band McFly’s sophomore set “Wonderland” (Universal Island) becomes its second chart-topping album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – What do pop strumpet Britney Spears, rock behemoths Aerosmith — 2003 – What do pop strumpet Britney Spears, rock behemoths Aerosmith, soul sista Mary J. Blige and punk brats Good Charlotte have in common? Football, apparently. All four appeared at [...]

2003 – A North Carolina minister attacks the Nelly-endorsed energy potion — 2003 – A North Carolina minister attacks the Nelly-endorsed energy potion Pimp Juice. “As black men we should be building a nation of strong black leaders,” says Rev. Paul Scott, [...]

2003 – In a bid to lure consumers away from their PCs and into — 2003 – In a bid to lure consumers away from their PCs and into record stores, the Universal Music Group says it’s slashing the wholesale price of its CDs to [...]

2003 – Nineties hit-makers the Spin Doctors (“Two Princes”) announce — 2003 – Nineties hit-makers the Spin Doctors (“Two Princes”) announce their reformation. “It was as though the music was waiting for us,” singer Chris Barron tells his Web site. Be [...]

2003 – Rapper D.O. Cannon, who was signed to Murde… — 2003 – Rapper D.O. Cannon, who was signed to Murder Inc. Records, is shot to Deaths in Queens, N.Y., according to reports. The 26-year-old Cannon, whose real name is Gerard [...]

2000 – David Brown of Santana dies due to liver and kidney — 2000 – David Brown of Santana dies due to liver and kidney failure this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – At this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, Bruce Springsteen — 1997 – At this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, Bruce Springsteen joins the Wallflowers onstage to sing “One Headlight.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – MTV Online webcasts behind-the-scenes happe… — 1997 – MTV Online webcasts behind-the-scenes happenings at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards Show. The exclusive webcast includes a live pre-show performance by Meredith Brooks. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1997 – After performing during the MTV Video Music… — 1997 – After performing during the MTV Video Music Awards pre-show in New York, Pat Smear publicly announces that he will no longer be the guitarist for the Foo Fighters, [...]

1996 – In 1996, Cat Stevens signed copies of his first album in 18 — 1996 – In 1996, Cat Stevens signed copies of his first album in 18 years. Most of the album was spoken-word and was titled, The Life of the Last Prophet. [...]

1996 – In London, Cat Stevens has his first autograph-signing — 1996 – In London, Cat Stevens has his first autograph-signing session since converting to Islam in 1977. Too bad he’s only signing copies of The Life of the Last Prophet, [...]

1993 – Paula Abdul hosts an AIDS awareness television special, — 1993 – Paula Abdul hosts an AIDS awareness television special, In a New Light ’93. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – MTV Europe presents “The 1991 Video Music Awards” live — 1991 – MTV Europe presents “The 1991 Video Music Awards” live from Los Angeles. Best Video of the Year goes to REM for “Losing My Religion” and the [...]

1991 – Saxophonist Charlie Barnet dies of pneumoni… — 1991 – Saxophonist Charlie Barnet dies of pneumonia in San Diego at the age of 77. He was one on the first white jazzmen to racially integrate his band. His [...]

1991 – Country music singer Dottie West dies at ag… — 1991 – Country music singer Dottie West dies at age 58 from injuries sustained five days earlier in a car accident. West was the first female country Grammy winner and [...]

1988 – Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns n’ Roses) was a hit this day — 1988 – Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns n’ Roses) was a hit this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1986 – Gregg Allman is arrested on charges of drunk driving in — 1986 – Gregg Allman is arrested on charges of drunk driving in Florida. He had only recently gotten his license back after a five-year suspension. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Maniac,” Mi… — 1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Maniac,” Michael Sembello. The song is the second No. 1 single from the film “Flashdance,” following “Flashdance … What a Feeling,” by [...]

1982 – “Valley Girl,” co-written by Frank Zappa and daughter Moon — 1982 – “Valley Girl,” co-written by Frank Zappa and daughter Moon Unit, enters the Top Forty, where it will peak at #2. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1982 – MTV starts their on-air merchandise program — 1982 – MTV starts their on-air merchandise program — 16 weeks later, over 20,000 items were ordered. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1980 – Yes sell out three nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden — 1980 – Yes sell out three nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden. This edition of the band boasts Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn, [...]

1978 – The Grateful Dead’s Labor Day concert at New — 1978 – The Grateful Dead’s Labor Day concert at New Jersey’s Giants Stadium attracts 66,000 people. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1977 – The Clash’s Paul Simonon reveals in an interview — 1977 – The Clash’s Paul Simonon reveals in an interview, “I didn’t even know who the prime minister was until a few weeks ago!” So much for the band’s politics. Be [...]

1976 – This week in 1976, Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album hit number 1 — 1976 – This week in 1976, Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album hit number 1 after being on the charts for over a year. Songs such as “Over My Head” and “Rhiannon” [...]

1976 – Abba – in what will become a very frequent — 1976 – Abba – in what will become a very frequent achievement – top the British singles chart with “Dancing Queen.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1973 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Let’s Get It… — 1973 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Let’s Get It On,” Marvin Gaye. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Paul McCartney tops the singles chart with “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.” — 1971 – Paul McCartney tops the singles chart with “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – The New York Times reports that Sly Stone is being sued by — 1971 – The New York Times reports that Sly Stone is being sued by his landlord because he has attracted “loud, noisy, boisterous persons.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – The Rolling Stones release their definitive live album — 1970 – The Rolling Stones release their definitive live album Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out. Altogether now, “Charlie’s good tonight, innee?” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1970 – George Harrison releases “My Sweet Lord.” The song — 1970 – George Harrison releases “My Sweet Lord.” The song becomes his first solo No. 1 single, but in 1976, it’s declared that he subconsciously plagiarized the Chiffons’ “He’s So [...]

1969 – If you tuned into The Tonight Show to see the Youngbloods — 1969 – If you tuned into The Tonight Show to see the Youngbloods (“Get Together”), you’d be disappointed. Johnny Carson says, “They complained about the set, the lighting, the sound, [...]

1969 – Rock offspring Dweezil Zappa is upsprung today. His guitar wants — 1969 – Rock offspring Dweezil Zappa is upsprung today. His guitar wants to kill your mama. He also played on Don Johnson’s Heartbeat album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – The Rolling Stones’ latest single, “Street Fighting Man — 1968 – The Rolling Stones’ latest single, “Street Fighting Man,” is banned in Chicago, where the Democratic National Convention is being held, because of its political content. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “You Can’t Hu… — 1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “You Can’t Hurry Love,” The Supremes. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – “Nothing But Heartaches” by the Supremes charts — 1965 – “Nothing But Heartaches” by the Supremes charts at #11 this day in rock. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – Number of British singles in ‘Billboard’s’ Top 100: 17 — 1965 – Number of British singles in ‘Billboard’s’ Top 100: 17 Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1965 – The Who stop by London’s Battersea Dog’s Home — 1965 – The Who stop by London’s Battersea Dog’s Home to buy a guard dog. When they come out, the quartet discover that their equipment van has been stolen. Be Sociable, [...]

1965 – The Rolling Stones play a concert in Belfast, Northern Ireland — 1965 – The Rolling Stones play a concert in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before flying early the next day to Los Angeles so they can record “Get Off of My Cloud.” Be [...]

1965 – Now that’s what I call a chart: Today at No. 1 are the Beatles with — 1965 – Now that’s what I call a chart: Today at No. 1 are the Beatles with “Help!” No. 2 is Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” At No. 8 [...]

1964 – The Animals give their debut U.S. performan… — 1964 – The Animals give their debut U.S. performance at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn, N.Y. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – The Beatles record “Love Me Do” at Abbey … — 1962 – The Beatles record “Love Me Do” at Abbey Road studios in London. The Beatles convene at EMI’s Abbey Road Studio to record with producer George Martin for the first [...]

1960 – Kim Thayil, guitarist for the Seattle-based… — 1960 – Kim Thayil, guitarist for the Seattle-based grunge-group, Soundgarden, is born in Seattle, Wash. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1959 – Bobby Darin is riding high with “Mack the Knife.” But — 1959 – Bobby Darin is riding high with “Mack the Knife.” But not in New York, where WCBS bans the song following the fatal stabbing of two teenagers by 17-year-old [...]

1957 – Baltimore’s WJZ-TV premieres The Buddy Deane Show, later t — 1957 – Baltimore’s WJZ-TV premieres The Buddy Deane Show, later to be satirized in the John Waters film Hairspray. Deane’s music program became so popular that when he invites the [...]

1952 – Gladys Knight & the Pips are formed after a… — 1952 – Gladys Knight & the Pips are formed after a Birthdays party for member Bubba Knight. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1951 – Martin Chambers, the original drummer with the Pretenders — 1951 – Martin Chambers, the original drummer with the Pretenders, is born in Hereford, England. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1946 – Quicksilver Messenger Service see two members born today — 1946 – Quicksilver Messenger Service see two members born today. In San Diego, it’s guitarist Gary Duncan. At the Coronado Naval Air Station in California, it’s drummer Greg Elmore. Be Sociable, [...]