Rock History

On this day...

2012 – Adele fails to register her newborn baby in England on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2012 – Adele fails to register her newborn baby in England on This Day in Rock Music History! Adele and partner Simon Konecki welcomed the newborn on October 19th of this [...]

2006 – U2 wraps its box-office busting Vertigo tou… — 2006 – U2 wraps its box-office busting Vertigo tour in front of a packed house at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium with a show that features guest turns from members of opening [...]

2006 – Fred Marsden, the drummer in the Merseybeat… — 2006 – Fred Marsden, the drummer in the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers, dies of cancer in Southport, England at the age of 66. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2006 – Mariah Carey threatened legal action against porn star Mary Carey — 2006 – Mariah Carey threatened legal action against porn star Mary Carey in an attempt to stop her trademarking her similar-sounding stage name. The singer believed fans could get the [...]

2004 – AMC Theaters screen the White Stripes’ live… — 2004 – AMC Theaters screen the White Stripes’ live DVD, “Under Blackpool Lights,” in 13 U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2003 – A Rhode Island grand jury gives three indictments of involuntary — 2003 – A Rhode Island grand jury gives three indictments of involuntary manslaughter in the case surrounding the February fire at a Great White concert to the club’s two owners [...]

2003 – Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire — 2003 – Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire after being injured in a quad bike accident at his UK home. The 55 year-old singer broke [...]

2002 – Stereolab multi-instrumentalist Mary Hansen… — 2002 – Stereolab multi-instrumentalist Mary Hansen dies after she is hit by a car in a London bicycling accident. Hansen, a native of Brisbane, Australia, joined the band a year [...]

2002 – Singer Marc Anthony and former Miss Univers… — 2002 – Singer Marc Anthony and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres renew their wedding vows, five months after announcing their separation. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Shots are fired and one man is killed durin… — 2002 – Shots are fired and one man is killed during a Toronto-area video shoot for “Get Busy” by Jamaican dance hall artist Sean Paul. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2002 – Ashanti takes home a leading eight awards, … — 2002 – Ashanti takes home a leading eight awards, including R&B/hip-hop artist and female artist of the year for her self-titled debut album and the hit single “Foolish,” at the Be [...]

2000 – The Smashing Pumpkins play their last ever gig at Chicago’s Metro. — 2000 – The Smashing Pumpkins play their last ever gig at Chicago’s Metro. Well, at least it’s the last one until the lucrative reunion tour. The band are joined onstage [...]

2000 – Sting receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on — 2000 – Sting receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

2000 – Singer/songwriter Peter Yarrow loses a Larr… — 2000 – Singer/songwriter Peter Yarrow loses a Larrivee guitar that he has played on every Peter, Paul & Mary recording and every one of the trio’s concerts since 1973. Prized [...]

1999 – In a bizarre Webcast on a pirate Web site, Radiohead — 1999 – In a bizarre Webcast on a pirate Web site, debut their new song “Knives Out” and play games with sock puppets. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1999 – The New England Conservatory hosts legendar… — 1999 – The New England Conservatory hosts legendary Cuban musician Chico O’Farrill in a free concert in NEC’s Jordan Hall. O’Farrill’s son, pianist Arturo O’Farrill, is featured as soloist. Be Sociable, [...]

1999 – The Los Angeles Times announces that a form… — 1999 – The Los Angeles Times announces that a former L.A. police officer is a suspect in the 1997 shooting Deaths of rapper Notorious B.I.G. It is suspected, the report [...]

1997 – It’s baby No. 4 for Mick Jagger and Jerry H… — 1997 – It’s baby No. 4 for Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall. 8-pound, 3-ounce Gabriel Luke Beauregard Jagger is born in London. Father, Mick can’t be present due to a [...]

1996 – MTV launches the fourth season of “Singled Out,” MTV’s ultimate relationship show — 1996 – MTV launches the fourth season of “Singled Out,” MTV’s ultimate relationship show. Mid-way through this new season, Jenny McCarthy will hand over the baton of pop diva to [...]

1995 – No. 1 in the album charts today, the Beatles with Anthology Vol. — 1995 – No. 1 in the album charts today, the Beatles with Anthology Vol. 1. It’s the group’s 16th No. 1 album. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1995 – The Beatles’ first new tune in 25 years, “… — 1995 – The Beatles’ first new tune in 25 years, “Free as a Bird,” debuts on a six-hour ABC documentary on the Fab Four. The Beatles’ “Anthology I” quickly shoots [...]

1994 – James Brown files for divorce from his wife. The day — 1994 – James Brown files for divorce from his wife. The day before he had turned himself into police after his wife accused him of beating her. Later the next [...]

1992 – Bassist Bill Wyman formally announces he — 1992 – Bassist Bill Wyman formally announces he is leaving the Rolling Stones. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1991 – A Jamaican Supreme Court tries to resolve the legal mess — 1991 – A Jamaican Supreme Court tries to resolve the legal mess that Bob Marley’s estate is in by ruling that his assets can be sold to his wife and [...]

1991 – Guns N’ Roses play the first of three standing room — 1991 – Guns N’ Roses play the first of three standing room only concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1990 – Paula Abdul was taken to North Hollywood Medical Centre after — 1990 – Paula Abdul was taken to North Hollywood Medical Centre after being involved in a car crash in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1989 – Billy Joel started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart — 1989 – Billy Joel started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’, a No.7 hit in the UK. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – Michael Jackson played the first of nine sold-out nights — 1988 – Michael Jackson played the first of nine sold-out nights on his Bad World Tour at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1988 – According to a poll released in the US, the music of Neil Diamond was favoured — 1988 – According to a poll released in the US, the music of Neil Diamond was favoured as the best background music for sex, Beethoven was the second choice and [...]

1984 – The Jacksons play their last show together … — 1984 – The Jacksons play their last show together in Los Angeles. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1981 – Sonny Til of vocal group the Orioles dies. The Orioles’ early — 1981 – Sonny Til of vocal group the Orioles dies. The Orioles’ early recordings like “It’s Too Soon to Know” and “Tell Me So” not only helped create doo-wop with [...]

1976 – John Lennon purchases a Renoir painting valued at — 1976 – John Lennon purchases a Renoir painting valued at half a million dollars. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1975 – The Sex Pistols appeared at Ravensbourne College, Chistlehurst, London. — 1975 – The Sex Pistols appeared at Ravensbourne College, Chistlehurst, London. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1974 – On tonight’s edition of Monday Night Football, John Lennon — 1974 – On tonight’s edition of Monday Night Football, John Lennon stops by booth during a match between L. A. Rams and Washington Redskins. While he’s there guest Ronald Reagan [...]

1974 – George Harrison releases Dark Horse, his first album — 1974 – George Harrison releases Dark Horse, his first album on the label of the same name. His cover of the Everly Brothers’ “Bye Bye Love” is a backhanded farewell [...]

1972 – Pete Townshend is the narrator for an orchestral performance — 1972 – Pete Townshend is the narrator for an orchestral performance of Tommy featuring contributions from Roger Daltrey (of course), Richie Havens, Steve Winwood and comic actor Peter Sellers. Only [...]

1972 – The No. 1 single in the United States today is Helen Reddy’s — 1972 – The No. 1 single in the United States today is Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman.” It’s the first Capitol release to reach the top spot since Bobbie Gentry’s [...]

1972 – The Moody Blues started a five-week run at No.1 on the US — The Moody Blues 1972 – The Moody Blues started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Seventh Sojourn’. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1971 – Richie Havens receives a role in the orches… — 1971 – Richie Havens receives a role in the orchestral stage version of the Who’s rock opera “Tommy.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1968 – Born on this day, Brian Bell, Weezer, (1995 UK No.12 single, ‘Buddy Holly’). — 1968 – Born on this day, Brian Bell, Weezer, (1995 UK No.12 single, ‘Buddy Holly’). Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye” tops the British singles charts — 1967 – The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye” tops the British singles charts on this day in rock history! Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1967 – Police arrest Jim Morrison as he performs onstage — 1967 – Police arrest Jim Morrison as he performs onstage in New Haven, Conn. It’s the culmination of a wild night for the Lizard King, who clashed with a cop [...]

1967 – Cream’s second album, ‘Disraeli Gears’, enters the U.S. charts. — 1967 – Cream’s second album, ‘Disraeli Gears’, enters the U.S. charts. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – In its second week of release in the U.K., the Beatles — 1964 – In its second week of release in the U.K., the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” becomes a million seller. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1964 – The John Coltrane Quartet records the jazz … — 1964 – The John Coltrane Quartet records the jazz classic “Love Supreme.” Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1962 – Future Beatles producer George Martin is taken to the — 1962 – Future Beatles producer George Martin is taken to the Liverpool Cavern by the group’s manager Brian Epstein to see the band perform live. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1961 – The Beatles play their first concert in the South of England — 1961 – The Beatles play their first concert in the South of England when they play with Ivor Jay & the Jaywalkers in Aldershot, England. Despite the gig being billed [...]

1957 – Donny Osmond is born in Ogden, Utah. The se… — 1957 – Donny Osmond is born in Ogden, Utah. The seventh son of George and Olive Osmond, Donny becomes a member of the Osmonds in 1963. His biggest solo single [...]

1950 – Joan Armatrading is born on the Caribbean i… — 1950 – Joan Armatrading is born on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1948 – Dennis Dunaway, bassist with the Alice Cooper band, is — 1948 – Dennis Dunaway, bassist with the Alice Cooper band, is born in Cottage Grove, Ore. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1944 – Neil Innes is born in Essex, England. The multi-instrumentalist’s — 1944 – Neil Innes is born in Essex, England. The multi-instrumentalist’s skewed sense of musical humor was a key part of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, a lynchpin of the [...]

1944 – The George Baker Selection’s leader George Baker (duh) is — 1944 – The George Baker Selection’s leader George Baker (duh) is born in the Netherlands as Johannes Bouwens. His group spearheaded the Dutch invasion of 1970 with their minor classic [...]

1943 – The Band’s bassist and co-lead singer Rick Danko is born — 1943 – The Band’s bassist and co-lead singer Rick Danko is born in Simcoe, Canada. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1941 – Dan Hicks, a country-rocker who first found fame with psychedelic — 1941 – Dan Hicks, a country-rocker who first found fame with psychedelic group the Charlatans and formed Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, is born in Arkansas. William Powell, an [...]

1934 – Legendary Chicago blues performer Junior Wells is bor — 1934 – Legendary Chicago blues performer Junior Wells is born in Memphis. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1932 – Sam Strain has a birthday today. Strain originally — 1932 – Sam Strain has a birthday today. Strain originally sang with Little Anthony & the Imperials (“Goin’ Out of My Head”), then joined the O’Jays when William Powell (see [...]

1932 – New Orleans R&B wild man Jessie Hill, who recorded the — 1932 – New Orleans R&B wild man Jessie Hill, who recorded the self-explanatory “Ooh Poo Pah Doo,” is born. Be Sociable, Share! [...]

1932 – Born on this day, Junior Wells, US blues singer, harmonica — 1932 – Born on this day, Junior Wells, US blues singer, harmonica player. Worked with Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, toured with The Rolling Stones in 1970. [...]

1922 – Redd Foxx is born in St. Louis. Forget his role as Sanford. — 1922 – Redd Foxx is born in St. Louis. Forget his role as Sanford. Foxx’s blue routines on under-the-counter albums like Laff Your Ass Off inspired much of the hardcore [...]