Rock History

On this day...

2010 – I got a message from my cousin Bob today telling me about the new issue of So What, which is Metallica’s — 2010 – I got a message from my cousin Bob today telling me about the new issue of So What, which is Metallica’s fan club magazine. Bob told me that [...]

2009 – Jay Bennett, a former member of Wilco, Died today on This Day in Rock. — 2009 – Jay Bennett, a former member of Wilco, Died today on This Day in Rock. Jay had been in litigation of charges he filed against the former group and [...]

2008 – Rihanna Hits No. 1 US and UK singles spot with “Take A Bow”, on This Day in Rock! — 2008 – Rihanna Hits No. 1 US and UK singles spot with “Take A Bow”, on This Day in Rock! This is her 2nd number 1.

2007 – Wayne Fontana of the 60′s group, “Mindbenders”, was taken into custody today on This Day in Rock! — 2007 – Wayne Fontana of the 60′s group, “Mindbenders”, was taken into custody today on This Day in Rock! Wayne admitted to pouring gasoline on a bailiff’s vehicle and setting [...]

2006 – Legendary songwriting and producing team Ke… — 2006 – Legendary songwriting and producing team Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Kinks frontman Ray Davies, electro-rock outfit New Order and veteran pop siblings the Bee Gees are among the [...]

2005 – The “country girl” prevails as Carrie Under… — 2005 – The “country girl” prevails as Carrie Underwood is named the “American Idol” at the conclusion of the Fox show’s two-hour fourth season finale at the Kodak Theatre in [...]

2005 – System of a Down top the American album charts with Mezmerize — 2005 -  System of a Down top the American album charts with Mezmerize. Flag-waving C&W star Toby Keith debuts at No. 2 with HonkyTonk University.

2005 – Tonight Show host Jay Leno and Rush Hour star Chris Tucker both testify — 2005 – Tonight Show host Jay Leno and Rush Hour star Chris Tucker both testify for the defense at Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial.

2004 – In a surprising move, Vermont-based jam ban… — 2004 – In a surprising move, Vermont-based jam band Phish announces that it plans to split following the conclusion of its summer tour in August.

2004 – Courtney Love pleads guilty to being under the influence of a controlled — 2004 – Courtney Love pleads guilty to being under the influence of a controlled substance, a charge stemming from a 2003 arrest. She is now eligible for a sentence that [...]

2004 – Madonna postpones the second gig in her Re-Invention tour at the Los — 2004 – Madonna postpones the second gig in her Re-Invention tour at the Los Angeles Forum after coming down with a stomach bug.2004 – Madonna postpones the second gig in [...]

2003 – Mars Volta keyboardist Jeremy Ward is found dead of a suspected — 2003 – Mars Volta keyboardist Jeremy Ward is found dead of a suspected drug overdose at his Los Angeles home. He was 27.

2003 – Elton John, Taylor Dayne and Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys pla — 2003 – Elton John, Taylor Dayne and Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys play Vienna’s Life Ball to benefit AIDS charities.

2002 – More than two dozen people are injured in a… — 2002 – More than two dozen people are injured in a mosh pit stampede while rapper Eminem is performing at Washington, D.C.’s RFK Stadium. One man suffers a heart attack [...]

2001 – Modern rock acts Tantric, Powderfinger, Poe… — 2001 – Modern rock acts Tantric, Powderfinger, Poe, and Ours inaugurate Atlanta’s On The Bricks free weekly concert series. As previously reported, the concerts are to take place each Friday [...]

2000 – Wilson Pickett collects three W.C. Handy Aw… — 2000 – Wilson Pickett collects three W.C. Handy Awards during the Blues Foundation’s ceremony at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. The veteran R&B singer’s set “It’s Harder Now” is named [...]

2000 – The 21st annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards are… — 2000 – The 21st annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards are webcast live via the House Of Blues website.

2000 – Paul McCartney wins the ultimate accolade f… — 2000 – Paul McCartney wins the ultimate accolade from Britain’s music industry when he is awarded the first Fellowship of the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters Award during the [...]

2000 – In Houston, Eddie Van Halen is tested for cancer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer — 2000 – In Houston, Eddie Van Halen is tested for cancer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The hospital says that the tests are routine, and that the guitarist is [...]

1999 – Nearly 70,000 readers of Country Weekly cho… — 1999 – Nearly 70,000 readers of Country Weekly choose George Strait as favorite entertainer, favorite male artist and favorite video entertainer in voting for the publication’s annual Golden Pick Awards. [...]

1997 – The day after his 56th birthday, Bob Dylan is admitted into a Los Angeles hospital — 1997 – The day after his 56th birthday, Bob Dylan is admitted into a Los Angeles hospital with chest pains. What’s feared to be a heart attack turns out to [...]

1996 – Bradly Nowell, lead singer of the group Sub… — 1996 – Bradly Nowell, lead singer of the group Sublime, dies of a heroin overdose in a San Francisco hotel room.

1992 – Khalil Rountree, tour manager for Boyz II M… — 1992 – Khalil Rountree, tour manager for Boyz II Men, is shot and killed at a Chicago hotel. He and the group were staying at the hotel while in Chicago [...]

1989 – “Weird Al” Yankovic records “She Drives Like Crazy” and “Isle — 1989 – “Weird Al” Yankovic records “She Drives Like Crazy” and “Isle Thing” for the UHF soundtrack.

1988 – Frank Zappa must have had a great agent. Because he’s invited — 1988 – Frank Zappa must have had a great agent. Because he’s invited to perform during the opening night of the historic Reagan/Gorbachev summit in Moscow. But he also had [...]

1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Flashdance …. — 1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Flashdance … What a Feeling,” Irene Cara.

1983 – This Day in Dio: Dio release their Holy Diver album. — 1983 – This Day in Dio: Dio release their Holy Diver album. History Released on May 25, 1983, it has been hailed by critics as Dio’s best work and a classic [...]

1981 – Roy Brown dies in San Fernando, Calif. His original 1947 rendition — 1981 – Roy Brown dies in San Fernando, Calif. His original 1947 rendition of “Good Rockin’ Tonight” inspired countless cover versions, while his vocal holler influenced performers like Little Richard.

1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Before the N… — 1975 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” Freddy Fender.

1974 – Jim Morrison’s widow, Pam, dies of a drug overdose — Jim Morrison and Pam, his fiance. 1974 – Jim Morrison’s widow, Pam, dies of a drug overdose on this day in rock history!

1962 – The Isley Brothers release “Twist and Shou… — 1962 – The Isley Brothers release “Twist and Shout.” Lyrics: Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby) Twist and shout. (twist and shout) Cmon cmon, cmon, cmon, baby, now, (come on [...]

1926 – Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis is born in Alton… — 1926 – Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis is born in Alton, Ill. He begins his career with Billy Eckstine’s orchestra in a lineup that includes Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He [...]

1921 – Hal David, US songwriter, pianist and arranger is born on This Day in Rock. — 1921 – Hal David, US songwriter, pianist and arranger is born on This Day in Rock. Hal composed many classic songs including: “Close to you”, “Magic Moments”, and “Raindrops keep [...]