Rock History

On this day...

2010 – Lady Gaga Named Billboard’s Artist Of The Year on this day in Rock! — 2010 – Lady Gaga Named Billboard’s Artist Of The Year Gaga becomes just the seventh woman ever to take home the magazine’s highest honor, which she dedicates to her fans. On Thursday, [...]

2010 – Morrison pardon doesn’t change The Doors’ history… — 2010 – Morrison pardon doesn’t change The Doors’ history… Pardon, eh… wow… I’m impressed! slap, slap, slap… By BRENDAN FARRINGTON The Associated Press Friday, December 10, 2010; 3:07 AM TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A hot, frenzied [...]

2007 – Led Zeppelin played their first concert in 19 years, at London’s 02 arena — 2007 – Led Zeppelin played their first concert in 19 years, at London’s 02 arena. Original band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were joined on stage [...]

2005 – Country king Garth Brooks marries his sweetheart Trisha — 2005 – Country king Garth Brooks marries his sweetheart Trisha Yearwood in Oklahoma.

2005 – Richard Pryor, the profane comedian whose monologues — 2005 – Richard Pryor, the profane comedian whose monologues inspired rappers like Ice T and N.W.A., dies aged 65 in California.

2005 – Legendary singer and 22-time Grammy award w… — 2005 – Legendary singer and 22-time Grammy award winner Stevie Wonder is honored at the Grammy Jam at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. The event also features performances by [...]

2005 – Queen overtook The Beatles to become the third most successful act of all time — 2005 – Queen overtook The Beatles to become the third most successful act of all time. Sales in 2005 showed that Queen had now overtaken The Beatles to make it [...]

2004 – James Brown, the 71-year-old Godfather of Soul and — 2004 – James Brown, the 71-year-old Godfather of Soul and Minister of the New New Super Heavy Funk, announces he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

2004 – one of three RCA microphones used by radio station KWKH for the historic Elvis — 2004 – one of three RCA microphones used by radio station KWKH for the historic Elvis Presley appearance at the Louisiana Hayride was sold for $37,500. The microphone was one [...]

2003 – Courtney Love is sued by the law firm of Cappello & McCann — 2003 – Courtney Love is sued by the law firm of Cappello & McCann, who claim the ex-Hole leader still owes them $228,926 for extracting her from a contract with [...]

2003 – Teen star Aaron Carter, brother to Backstreet Boy Nick, announces — 2003 – Teen star Aaron Carter, brother to Backstreet Boy Nick, announces he’s firing his mother/co-manager and orders an audit of his finances. His parents are currently in the midst [...]

2003 – “Humpin’ Around” singer Bobby Brown is charged with battery three — 2003 – “Humpin’ Around” singer Bobby Brown is charged with battery three days after allegedly hitting his wife, Whitney Houston. A police spokesperson says Brown turned himself in to face [...]

2003 – R. Kelly and Beyonce both win four awards at th — 2003 – R. Kelly and Beyonce both win four awards at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

2003 – A spokesperson for a Californian County Clerk’s office — 2003 – A spokesperson for a Californian County Clerk’s office confirms that Coldplay’s Chris Martin has secretly married actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

2003 – The Polyphonic Spree, Super Furry Animals, Alfie and Athlet — 2003 – The Polyphonic Spree, Super Furry Animals, Alfie and Athlete are all on hand to watch Grandaddy play their biggest ever U.K. concert at London’s Brixton Academy.

2003 – Alicia Keys sells 618,000 copies of The Diary of Alicia Keys — 2003 – Alicia Keys sells 618,000 copies of The Diary of Alicia Keys to top the album charts. The second highest new entry is Elephant Man, the raggamuffin whose Good [...]

2003 – Stevie Wonder is on hand in Las Vegas to pr… — 2003 – Stevie Wonder is on hand in Las Vegas to present the Century Award to Sting at the 2003 Chart Toppers Music Awards. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the show [...]

2000 – Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello and Tim — 2000 – Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello and Tim Commerford are among those taking part in a Los Angeles march supporting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The [...]

1999 – At a concert in London with Attraction Steve Nieve on — 1999 – At a concert in London with Attraction Steve Nieve on keyboards, Elvis Costello debuts songs he’s written for the musical The Delivery Man. He tells the audience that [...]

1999 – Warren Brothers member Brett Warren and his… — 1999 – Warren Brothers member Brett Warren and his wife Raquel welcome their first child, a boy. Cole Daniel Warren weighs 8 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces and measures 22 inches [...]

1999 – Rick Danko, bassist and singer for acclaime… — 1999 – Rick Danko, bassist and singer for acclaimed rock act the Band, dies at his home in Woodstock, N.Y. The Ontario-born musician would have celebrated his 57th Birthdays on [...]

1999 – A war of words broke out between Cliff Richard and George Michae — 1999 – A war of words broke out between Cliff Richard and George Michael after George branded Cliff Richards hit ‘Millennium Prayer’ as ‘vile’. Cliff hit back by saying that [...]

1998 – Buddy Feyne, who put lyrics to many of the … — 1998 – Buddy Feyne, who put lyrics to many of the big band instrumentals of the 1930s and 1940s including “Tuxedo Junction” and “Jersey Bounce,” dies in Los Angeles. He [...]

1998 – Bruce Springsteen wins a 2 1/2-year legal b… — 1998 – Bruce Springsteen wins a 2 1/2-year legal battle over two British companies seeking to release previously unreleased songs from his early career. Masquerade Music sought to release a [...]

1998 – Alanis Morissette, Radiohead, Jimmy Page & … — 1998 – Alanis Morissette, Radiohead, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, Asian Dub Foundation, Youssou N’Dour, and Shania Twain are part of the superstar lineup that performs [...]

1998 – a recording of a 1963 Beatles concert was sold at auction at Christies in London — 1998 – a recording of a 1963 Beatles concert was sold at auction at Christies in London for £25,300, ($41,500). The tape of The Beatles’ 10-song concert was recorded by [...]

1996 – The New York Post quotes a source close to … — 1996 – The New York Post quotes a source close to ailing performer Frank Sinatra as saying that Ol’ Blues Eyes will never perform again. In early November, Sinatra was [...]

1996 – Reba McEntire resumes her touring schedule … — 1996 – Reba McEntire resumes her touring schedule in San Jose after missing several dates due to a minor skiing injury. McEntire underwent knee surgery after she fell while skiing [...]

1996 – Michael Jackson arrives in Tokyo for his fi… — 1996 – Michael Jackson arrives in Tokyo for his fifth visit to Japan. The self-proclaimed King Of Pop is scheduled to perform four days at the 56,000-seat Tokyo Dome.

1996 – Mel Torme, 71, who suffered a stroke in Aug… — 1996 – Mel Torme, 71, who suffered a stroke in August ’96 but had been resting at home in Beverly Hills, returns to the hospital so doctors can monitor his [...]

1996 – Country singer Faron Young, known for the W… — 1996 – Country singer Faron Young, known for the Willie Nelson song “Hello Walls,” dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

1995 – The 450-pound rapper, Darren Robinson, form… — 1995 – The 450-pound rapper, Darren Robinson, former member of the gold-selling trio the Fat Boys, dies unexpectedly at age 28 while entertaining friends at his home.

1990 – Janet Jackson is the big winner at the firs… — 1990 – Janet Jackson is the big winner at the first Chart Toppers Music Awards, taking home trophies in eight categories. Other multiple winners are New Kids on the Block, [...]

1988 – Bill Harris of the Clovers dies of cancer a… — 1988 – Bill Harris of the Clovers dies of cancer at the age of 63.

1982 – Too scared to be a Satanist, Ozzy Osbourne kicks off his — 1982 – Too scared to be a Satanist, Ozzy Osbourne kicks off his opportunistic Talk of the Devil English tour in Cornwall.

1982 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Mickey,” To… — 1982 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Mickey,” Toni Basil. Basil is an actress and choreographer whose film credits include “Village of the Giants,” “Head” and “American Grafitti.”

1980 – On this day in rock history… John Lennon’s body — 1980 – On this day in rock history… John Lennon’s body is cremated in New York.

1976 – Paul McCartney & Wings release the triple LP set Wings Over — 1976 – Paul McCartney & Wings release the triple LP set Wings Over America, which quickly goes to No. 1.

1975 – Led Zeppelin performs an unannounced gig on the English Channel — 1975 – Led Zeppelin performs an unannounced gig on the English Channel island of Jersey. Robert Plant spends the club concert sitting on a stool as he’s still recuperating from [...]

1972 – Roberta Flack sustains damage to her lip after her bassist — 1972 – Roberta Flack sustains damage to her lip after her bassist crashes her new Citroen in Manhattan. Another member of her backup band is also injured. Flack cancels a [...]

1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Me and Mrs. … — 1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Me and Mrs. Jones,” Billy Paul.

1971 – The jealous boyfriend of a Frank Zappa fan climbs onstage during — 1971 – The jealous boyfriend of a Frank Zappa fan climbs onstage during a Zappa concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre. He throws Zappa off the stage, breaking his leg and [...]

1969 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono announce plans to make a film — 1969 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono announce plans to make a film called A6. The film, they say, will focus on the case of James Hanratty, who was hanged [...]

1968 – Led Zeppelin perform at London’s Marquee on one of their first — 1968 – Led Zeppelin perform at London’s Marquee on one of their first tours. The manager John Gee later recalled, “The group was very loud – I thought they were [...]

1968 – John Lennon makes his first solo TV appeara… — 1968 – John Lennon makes his first solo TV appearance, singing “Yer Blues.”

1967 – Steve Miller shocks the music industry when his hitherto — 1967 – Steve Miller shocks the music industry when his hitherto unknown Blues Band signs with Capitol Records for a whopping $750,000. Miller drops the “Blues” portion of his group’s [...]

1967 – Otis Redding dies in a plane crash near Mad… — 1967 – Otis Redding dies in a plane crash near Madison, Wis., at age 26. His biggest hit, “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” was released just three days [...]

1967 – The Byrds played the first of an 8 night run at the Whisky-a-go-go — 1967 – The Byrds played the first of an 8 night run at the Whisky-a-go-go, Hollywood, California.

1966 – The Electric Prunes release their garage rock classic, “I Had — 1966 – The Electric Prunes release their garage rock classic, “I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night.”

1965 – The Warlocks change their name to the Grateful Dead and — 1965 – The Warlocks change their name to the Grateful Dead and play their first gig under the name at the second San Francisco Mime Troupe Appeal Party at the [...]

1963 – Donny Osmond makes his debut with the Osmon… — 1963 – Donny Osmond makes his debut with the Osmonds on NBC’s “Andy Williams Show.”

1959 – A happy day for the Platters. Back on August 10 they were arrested — 1959 – A happy day for the Platters. Back on August 10 they were arrested in Cincinnati and charged with aiding and abetting prostitution, lewdness and assignation after several young [...]

1957 – Synth wizard Paul Hardcastle, who scored a top 20 — 1957 – Synth wizard Paul Hardcastle, who scored a top 20 hit in 1985 with the perverse “N-n-n-n-nineteen” record, is born in London on this day in rock history.

1954 – Older than old skool MC DJ Hollywood is born on — 1954 – Older than old skool MC DJ Hollywood is born on this day in rock history!

1948 – Ralph Vierra Tavares, of the singing brood who scored a hi — 1948 – Ralph Vierra Tavares, of the singing brood who scored a hit with “It Only Takes a Minute,” is born in the Cape Verde Islands.

1948 – Jessica Cleaves, a vocalist who has sung with Earth, Wind — 1948 – Jessica Cleaves, a vocalist who has sung with Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament and Funkadelic, is born in Los Angeles.

1946 – Commodores singer Walter Orange is born on — 1946 – Commodores singer Walter Orange is born on this day in rock history!

1946 – The Move’s guitarist Ace Kefford, improbably described — 1946 – The Move’s guitarist Ace Kefford, improbably described by one writer as “the group’s pouting glamour-man,” is born in West Moseley, England.

1946 – Gloria Loring, who co-wrote the themes to Diff’rent Strokes — 1946 – Gloria Loring, who co-wrote the themes to Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life, is born in New York.

1926 – Born on this day Eddie “Guitar Slim” Jones, New Orleans blues guitar player — 1926 – Born on this day Eddie “Guitar Slim” Jones, New Orleans blues guitar player from the 1940s and 1950s best known for the million-selling song ‘The Things That I [...]