Rock History

On this day...

2009 – Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher is officially recognized as a co-writer on ‘Whiter Shade of Pale.’ on This Day in Rock! — 2009 – Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher is officially recognized as a co-writer on ‘Whiter Shade of Pale.’ on This Day in Rock! The court ruled that Fisher was entitled [...]

2007 – a man admitted bootlegging charges after hearing evidence from Led Zeppelin — 2007 – a man admitted bootlegging charges after hearing evidence from Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Robert Langley, 57, from Buckingham, originally denied three trademark and two copyright infringements after [...]

2006 – Top of the Pops airs for the last time on BBC, after 42 — 2006 – Top of the Pops airs for the last time on BBC, after 42 years of broadcasting performances by the likes of The Rolling Stones, Madonna, David Bowie, [...]

2006 – The endlessly fascinating W. Axl Rose is forced to abandon a Guns — 2006 – The endlessly fascinating W. Axl Rose is forced to abandon a Guns N’ Roses show at London’s Wembley Arena due to “low blood pressure.” Skid Row singer [...]

2005 – Two members of South Korean punk rock band Couch scandalize — 2005 – Two members of South Korean punk rock band Couch scandalize the nation when they expose their privates on the children’s TV show. They are both immediately arrested.

2004 – Isley Brothers singer Ronald Isley, who also performs as “Mr. Biggs — 2004 – Isley Brothers singer Ronald Isley, who also performs as “Mr. Biggs,” suffers a minor stroke while in London.

2003 – The Backstreet Boys’ Kevin Richardson repri… — 2003 – The Backstreet Boys’ Kevin Richardson reprises his role as Billy Flynn in the stage production of “Chicago” when he joins the show’s U.S. touring company for its Aug. [...]

2003 – Pioneering producer and indie-label operato… — 2003 – Pioneering producer and indie-label operator Sam Phillips dies in Memphis of respiratory failure. He is 80. In the early ’50s, Phillips’ Memphis Recording Service (later known as Sun [...]

2003 – More than 450,000 fans turned out in Toront… — 2003 – More than 450,000 fans turned out in Toronto for the Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto benefit at Downsview Park, aimed at boosting the city’s sagging economy in the [...]

2003 – Iron Maiden drummer Michael “Nicko” McBrain… — 2003 – Iron Maiden drummer Michael “Nicko” McBrain is arrested and charged with assault after hitting a parking attendant with his car, according to reports. The incident occurs backstage at [...]

2003 – French singer Bertrand Cantat, frontman of … — 2003 – French singer Bertrand Cantat, frontman of rock band Noir Desir, is named as a suspect following an injury to his partner, actress Marie Trintignant. Cantat, 36, is alleged [...]

2003 – The Rolling Stones headline a one-day festival in Toronto to revive — 2003 – The Rolling Stones headline a one-day festival in Toronto to revive the city’s tourism industry following an outbreak of the SARS virus. Other performers include AC/DC, Rush [...]

2003 – BMG’s parent company Bertelsmann approaches the European Commission — 2003 – BMG’s parent company Bertelsmann approaches the European Commission to seek approval for a merger with Warners. If okayed, the new conglomerate would be the largest record company [...]

2003 – The Strokes-mania hits Japan as the New York band arrive for their — 2003 – The Strokes-mania hits Japan as the New York band arrive for their “comeback” at the Summer Sonic festival. Fans eagerly await hearing the first new material since the [...]

2003 – Police issue a warrant for Motley Crue singer Vince Neil’s arrest — 2003 – Police issue a warrant for Motley Crue singer Vince Neil’s arrest after he allegedly attacks a prostitute at Nevada’s Moonlite Bunny Ranch.

2001 – Peter Buck, guitarist for R.E.M., pleads no… — 2001 – Peter Buck, guitarist for R.E.M., pleads not guilty to a series of charges relating to an alleged “air rage” incident during a transatlantic flight in April. Buck, appearing [...]

1997 – The Battlefield Benefit gets under way at R… — 1997 – The Battlefield Benefit gets under way at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The concert – which features Kentucky HeadHunters, Highway 101, Rhett Akins, Ronna Reeves and Randall Franks – [...]

1997 – ’80s group Boys Don’t Cry sues Paula Cole, … — 1997 – ’80s group Boys Don’t Cry sues Paula Cole, Warner Bros. Records and Imago Records over Cole’s pop song “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone.” The $7 million suit [...]

1997 – A judge in Los Angeles ruled that Michael Jackson and members — 1997 – A judge in Los Angeles ruled that Michael Jackson and members of his family are not liable for losses incurred by the producers of the failed 1994 [...]

1996 – Tim Collins, manager of Aerosmith since 198… — 1996 – Tim Collins, manager of Aerosmith since 1984, is fired after a brief meeting with the band in Boston. The band claims that they are tired of being urged [...]

1993 – Saxophonist Don Myrick of Earth, Wind & Fire dies. — 1993 – Saxophonist Don Myrick of Earth, Wind & Fire dies.

1992 – At the funeral of Motown star Mary Wells (“My Guy”), Smokey — 1992 – At the funeral of Motown star Mary Wells (“My Guy”), Smokey Robinson sings a medley of her hits.

1991 – Debbie Gibson performs at WHTZ’s eighth birthday party — 1991 – Debbie Gibson performs at WHTZ’s eighth birthday party in New York along with Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, and the Black Crowes.

1988 – Former member of The Spencer Davis Group and Traffic — 1988 – Former member of The Spencer Davis Group and Traffic, Steve Winwood had the number 1 song in the US this week with “Roll With It”. It stayed [...]

1987 – In Philadelphia, David Bowie unveils his Glass Spider Tour, generally — 1987 – In Philadelphia, David Bowie unveils his Glass Spider Tour, generally seen as a low point in ’80s rock excess. At least it gave guest guitarist Peter Frampton [...]

1986 – The show business newspaper Variety reported that RCA dumped — 1986 – The show business newspaper Variety reported that RCA dumped John Denver from its roster after the release of his single, “What Are We Making Weapons For”. Variety [...]

1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Shout,” Tea… — 1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Shout,” Tears for Fears. The song is the second straight No. 1 song from the group’s “Songs from the Big Chair” album.

1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “One of These… — 1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “One of These Nights,” Eagles. The song was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and is the band’s second consecutive No. [...]

1973 – The Mamas & the Papas Papa John Phillips calls a press conference to accuse — 1973 – The Mamas & the Papas Papa John Phillips calls a press conference to accuse his old label ABC-Dunhill of “the systematic, cold-blooded theft of perhaps up to [...]

1972 – Born on this day, Brad Hargraves, Third Eye Blind, (1997 US No.4 — 1972 – Born on this day, Brad Hargraves, Third Eye Blind, (1997 US No.4 & UK No. 33 single ‘Semi- Charmed Life’).

1969 – The Beatles continued working on their forthcoming album Abbey Road — 1969 – The Beatles continued working on their forthcoming album Abbey Road, recording overdubs on ‘Come Together’, ‘Polythene Pam/She Came In Through the Bathroom Window’, ‘You Never Give Me Your [...]

1968 – The Beatles’ Apple Boutique in London close… — 1968 – The Beatles’ Apple Boutique in London closes after heavy losses.

1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Wild Thing,’… — 1966 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Wild Thing,” The Troggs. Because of a legal dispute, the song is simultaneously released on two different labels, something unique for a [...]

1966 – The Beatles top the American chart with Yesterday … and Today — 1966 – The Beatles top the American chart with Yesterday … and Today. The cover of the album had to be quickly changed when people objected to the band [...]

1966 – Craig Gannon, the session guitarist often called the fifth Smith — 1966 – Craig Gannon, the session guitarist often called the fifth Smith until Morrissey decided he didn’t like him much, is born.

1963 – Bob Dylan records two songs for the WNEW TV program Songs of Freedom. — 1963 – Bob Dylan records two songs for the WNEW TV program Songs of Freedom.

1960 – The Elvis Presley L.P. “Elvis is Back” sat at the — 1960 – The Elvis Presley L.P. “Elvis is Back” sat at the top of the UK album chart.

1958 – Singer Kate Bush is born in Bexley, Kent, E… — 1958 – Singer Kate Bush is born in Bexley, Kent, England. Her biggest pop hit is the top 40 song “Running Up That Hill” in 1985.

1957 – Damned drummer Rat Scabies – that’s the Damned – is born in Kingston — 1957 – Damned drummer Rat Scabies – that’s the Damned – is born in Kingston-upon-Thames, England. His mother called him Chrill Miller, believe it or not.

1956 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Prayer,”… — 1956 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “My Prayer,” The Platters. The five are the first black artists to have a No. 1 single on the pop charts.

1954 – Elvis Presley makes his first concert appearance at Overton Park — 1954 – Elvis Presley makes his first concert appearance at Overton Park in Memphis, opening for Slim Whitman.

1947 – Metal guru Marc Bolan is born in London. As a member of T — 1947 – Metal guru Marc Bolan is born in London. As a member of T. Rex, he went to No. 10 in 1972 with “Bang a Gong (Get It [...]

1946 – Bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond of Jethro Tull is born. — 1946 – Bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond of Jethro Tull is born.

1945 – Jazz sax player David Sanborn is born. He w… — 1945 – Jazz sax player David Sanborn is born. He wins his first Grammy in 1982 as best R&B instrumental performance. He later wins Grammys in the jazz fusion and [...]

1941 – Singer/songwriter Paul Anka is born in Otta… — 1941 – Singer/songwriter Paul Anka is born in Ottawa, Ontario. He has four No. 1 hits, including “Lonely Boy” from the film “Girl’s Town.” He writes “My Way” for Frank [...]

1936 – Buddy Guy, one of the nicest men in the blues, is born in Lettsworth, La. — 1936 – Buddy Guy, one of the nicest men in the blues, is born in Lettsworth, La.