Rock History

On this day...

2011 – Suzi Rotolo, Bob Dylan’s former girlfriend dies on This Day In Rock! — 2011 – Suzi Rotolo, Bob Dylan’s former girlfriend dies on This Day In Rock! After meeting backstage at one of his gigs, Dylan was overcome by Suzi’s raw beauty. From Dylan’s [...]

2008 – drummer Buddy Miles, who played with Jimi Hendrix — 2008 – drummer Buddy Miles, who played with Jimi Hendrix in his last regular group, Band of Gypsys, died aged 60 at his home in Austin, Texas after struggling with [...]

2008 – Arctic Monkeys won three prizes, including best British band — Arctic Monkeys 2008 – Arctic Monkeys won three prizes, including best British band at this year’s NME Awards held at the O2 in London. The band’s single ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ won them [...]

2008 – Boy George pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning a male — 2008 – Boy George pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning a male escort by chaining him to a wall. The singer and DJ was also accused of assaulting Audun Carlsen [...]

2006 – two stewards were shot during a concert by rapper Kanye West — 2006 – two stewards were shot during a concert by rapper Kanye West at the NEC in Birmingham, England. Police said the shootings took place after people who tried to [...]

2005 – Michael Jackson’s trial on… — 2005 – Michael Jackson’s trial on child molestation charges finally opens in Santa Maria, Calif. Santa Barbara County DA Tom Sneddon introduces the prosecution’s case with an hours-long [...]

2005 – Chris Curtis, the original drummer and back… — 2005 – Chris Curtis, the original drummer and backing vocalist for influential 1960s Merseybeat combo the Searchers, dies in Liverpool, England, after a long illness. He is 63.

2005 – A 24-year-old Los Angeles man is hospitaliz… — 2005 – A 24-year-old Los Angeles man is hospitalized after being shot at radio station WQHT’s West Village facility during a live interview with 50 Cent. The victim is said [...]

2003 – Great White: Linda Suffoletto, hospitalized… —   2003 – Linda Suffoletto, hospitalized following the Rhode Island nightclub fire set off by rock band Great White’s pyrotechnics, dies, bringing the death toll to 97. Sixty people [...]

2002 – on this week’s UK singles chart; No.3 ‘Hero’ by Enrique Iglesias — 2002 – on this week’s UK singles chart; No.3 ‘Hero’ by Enrique Iglesias, No.2 ‘Whenever Whatever’ by Shakira and Will Young was at No.1 with ‘Anything Is Possible / Evergreen’.

2001 – Both R. Kelly and Jagged Edge are double wi… — 2001 – Both R. Kelly and Jagged Edge are double winners at the 15th annual Soul Train Music Awards at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.

2000 – Charging that he has been shortchanged mill… —   2000 – Charging that he has been shortchanged millions in publishing royalties, Stan Penrige, the songwriter who penned “Beth,” sues the members of Kiss, the band’s publishing company, and Universal [...]

1998, Celine Dion started a two week run at No.1 on — 1998, Celine Dion started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘My Heart Will Go On.’

1996 – Grammy award winners included Alanis Morissette who — 1996 – Grammy award winners included Alanis Morissette who won album of the year for ‘Jagged Little Pill’ best female rock vocal & best song for ‘You Oughta Know’, Nirvana’s [...]

1996 – At the Grammys, Hootie and the Blowfish/… — 1996 – At the Grammys, Hootie and the Blowfish are named Best New Artist. Alanis Morissette wins four Grammy’s including Best Album for “Jagged Little Pill.”

1995 – Alaskan singer-songwriter ‘Jewel’ releases her debut… — 1995 – Alaskan singer-songwriter ‘Jewel’ releases her debut Pieces of You, featuring the hits “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “Pieces of You.” The album goes to No. [...]

1994 – Eric Clapton played his 100th performance at London’s Royal — 1994 – Eric Clapton played his 100th performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, in aid of the ‘Children In Crisis’, charity.

1991 – The Record Plant in Hollywood closes. Among… — 1991 – The Record Plant in Hollywood closes. Among the albums recorded at the recording studio and rock hangout were the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” and Stevie [...]

1988 – k.d. Lang performed at the closing ceremony of the — 1988 – k.d. Lang performed at the closing ceremony of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

1986 – George Michael announced that Wham! would… — 1986 – George Michael announced that Wham! would officially split during the summer.

1985 – David Byron, singer with Uriah Heep died from — 1985 – David Byron, singer with Uriah Heep died from a heart attack. Age 38.

1984 – Michael Jackson wins eight Grammys for Thriller… — 1984 – Michael Jackson wins eight Grammys, all connected to his album “Thriller.” Eddie VanHalen is a Noted player on Beat it! Thriller is the sixth solo album by American pop [...]

1982 – Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham collapsed during the — 1982 – Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham collapsed during the bands European tour suffering from heroin withdrawal.

1981 – Eddie Rabbitt (Edward Thomas), started a two week run at — 1981 – Eddie Rabbitt (Edward Thomas), started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Love A Rainy Night’, his only No.1, it made No.53 [...]

1977 – Ray Charles attacked onstage… — 1977 – Ray Charles attacked onstage by a man who tries to strangle him with a rope.

1976 – Rhythm Heritage went to No.1 on the US singles — 1976 – Rhythm Heritage went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Theme From SWAT’, not a hit in the UK.

1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Seasons in t… — 1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Seasons in the Sun,” Terry Jacks.

1972 – George and Patti Harrison were injured in a car crash — George Harrison and Patti Boyd 1972 – George and Patti Harrison were injured in a car crash; Patti was unconscious for several days.

1970 – Simon and Garfunkel started a six week run at the top — 1970 – Simon and Garfunkel started a six week run at the top of the US singles chart with ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, also No.1 in the UK in March [...]

1970 – in an interview with the New Musical Express, Fleetwood Mac’ — 1970 – in an interview with the New Musical Express, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green talked about his plans to give all his money away. The following year Green confronted his [...]

1970 – Frank Zappa’s Hot Rats hits UK LP chart. — 1970 – Frank Zappa’s Hot Rats hits UK LP chart.

1970 – Led Zeppelin play Copenhagen, as The Nobs… —   1970 – Led Zeppelin play Copenhagen, as The Nobs.

1970 – Matthew Fisher leaves Procol Harum. — 1970 – Matthew Fisher leaves Procol Harum.

1968 – Frankie Lymon was found dead at his mother’s house in New — 1968 – Frankie Lymon was found dead at his mother’s house in New York of a suspected drug overdose, he was 25. With the Teenagers, his biggest hit was 1956’s [...]

1968 – husband and wife team Esther and Abi Ofarim were at No.1 — 1968 – husband and wife team Esther and Abi Ofarim were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Cinderella Rockefella.’

1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Ruby Tuesday… —   1967 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Ruby Tuesday,” The Rolling Stones. The song is released as the B side to the single “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” Most [...]

1966 – Cavern Club in Liverpool closes with debts of £70,000. — 1966 – Cavern Club in Liverpool closes with debts of £70,000.

1964 – The Yardbirds played at the Rhythm and Blues — 1964 – The Yardbirds played at the Rhythm and Blues Festival at The Town Hall, Birmingham, England.

1963 – On the tour bus from York to Shrewsbury, John Lennon and Paul McCartney… — 1963 – On the tour bus from York to Shrewsbury, John Lennon and Paul McCartney write From Me to You (based on NME letters column).

1958 – Little Richard’s Good Golly Miss Molly hits UK chart. — 1958 – Little Richard’s Good Golly Miss Molly hits UK chart.

1957 – Cindy Wilson of the B-52′s is born in Athens, Ga. — 1957 – Cindy Wilson of the B-52′s is born in Athens, Ga.

1952 – Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes sax player Edward Manion is born… — 1952 – Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes sax player Edward Manion, who has also blown for Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen, is born.

1942 – Born on this day, Brian Jones, guitar, Rolling Stones, (1966 UK — 1942 – Born on this day, Brian Jones, guitar, Rolling Stones, (1966 UK & US No.1 single ‘Paint It Black’, plus 5 other UK No.1 singles and 3 UK No.1 [...]

1942 – Born on this day, Joe South, US singer, songwriter, (1969 US No.12 — 1942 – Born on this day, Joe South, US singer, songwriter, (1969 US No.12 & UK No.6 single ‘Games People Play’). Worked with Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin.

1941 – Born on this day, Marty Sanders, Jay and the Americans — 1941 – Born on this day, Marty Sanders, Jay and the Americans, (1969 US No.6 single ‘This Magic Moment plus nine other US Top 30 hits).

1940 – Singer/songwriter Joe South is born… — 1940 – Singer/songwriter Joe South is born Joe Souter in Atlanta. He wrote Lynn Anderson’s No. 3 “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden,” Deep Purple’s “Hush,” and [...]

1940 – Songwriter/performer Joe South is born in A… — 1940 – Songwriter/performer Joe South is born in Atlanta.

1921 – Music exec Saul Zaentz is born… — 1921 – Music exec Saul Zaentz is born in Passaic, N.J. He signed Creedence Clearwater Revival to Fantasy Records, but a subsequent dispute with John Fogerty led the [...]