Rock History

On this day...

2008 – George Michael kicked off the North American leg of his ‘25 Live’ 106-date — 2008 – George Michael kicked off the North American leg of his ‘25 Live’ 106-date world tour at San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California.

2008 – Welsh singer Duffy’s single Mercy was named song of the year at the Mojo — 2008 – Welsh singer Duffy’s single Mercy was named song of the year at the Mojo magazine awards held in London. Best breakthrough act went to The Last Shadow Puppets [...]

2007 – The Traveling Wilburys went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Collection — 2007 – The Traveling Wilburys went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Collection.’ The line of the Wilburys was: George Harrison, (Nelson Wilbury), Jeff Lynne, (Otis Wilbury), Roy [...]

2005 – Pete Doherty was thrown of a yacht after being found smoking crack — 2005 – Pete Doherty was thrown of a yacht after being found smoking crack cocaine. The Babyshambles singer had been invited onto the yacht with his girlfriend Kate Moss by [...]

2005 – Karl Mueller, bassist and founding member o… — 2005 – Karl Mueller, bassist and founding member of the Minneapolis-based rock act Soul Asylum, dies at his home. He was 41. Diagnosed with throat cancer in May 2004, Mueller [...]

2000 – it was reported that sales of pirate music CDs had now exceeded more than 500 million a — 2000 – it was reported that sales of pirate music CDs had now exceeded more than 500 million a year and accounted for one in every five sold. The Phonographic [...]

2000 – The Grand Ole Opry, carried since 1925 on W… — 2000 – The Grand Ole Opry, carried since 1925 on WSM radio in Nashville, begins webcasting at www.opry.com or www.wsmonline.com.

1999 – A teenage girl was crushed to death during a gig by Hole at the Hultsfred — 1999 – A teenage girl was crushed to death during a gig by Hole at the Hultsfred Festival, Sweden.

1999 – Geri Halliwell’s first official trip in her… — 1999 – Geri Halliwell’s first official trip in her capacity as a United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) goodwill ambassador wraps up. Controversy trails Halliwell constantly during the three-day trip to [...]

1998 – R&B vocalist Jody Watley says she was told … — 1998 – R&B vocalist Jody Watley says she was told “by the powers that be” at Atlantic Records that although they intend to release her album “Flowers” outside of the [...]

1995 – Rod Stewart sets an attendance record for W… — 1995 – Rod Stewart sets an attendance record for Wembley Stadium with a concert crowd of 90,000. The 1985 Live Aid concert drew 72,000.

1991 – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Van Halen) is released — 1991 – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Van Halen) is released this day in rock history! Release date: 1991-06-17 For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (also known as F.U.C.K.) is the ninth album by the [...]

1989 – New Kids On The Block went to No.1 on the US singles chart with — 1989 – New Kids On The Block went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I’ll Be Loving You Forever’, the groups first US No.1, a No.5 hit in [...]

1985 – The Crowd were at No.1 in the UK with a remake of the 1963 hit ‘You’ll Never — 1985 – The Crowd were at No.1 in the UK with a remake of the 1963 hit ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’ The single was recorded to raise funds for The [...]

1984 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Reflex,’… — 1984 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Reflex,” Duran Duran. It is the group’s first No. 1 hit in the United States.

1983 – This week’s Top 5 UK singles: No.5, Bob Marley, ‘Buffalo Soldier’, No — 1983 – This week’s Top 5 UK singles: No.5, Bob Marley, ‘Buffalo Soldier’, No.4, Yazoo, ‘Nobody’s Diary’, No.3, David Bowie, ‘China Girl’, No.2, Wham! ‘Bad Boys’, No.1, The Police, ‘Every [...]

1980, Van Halen kicked off a 6-date UK tour at Newcastle City Hall — 1980, Van Halen kicked off a 6-date UK tour at Newcastle City Hall on this day in rock history!

1978 – From the film Grease ‘You’re The One That I Want’ by John Travolta — 1978 – From the film Grease ‘You’re The One That I Want’ by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John started a nine week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart.

1978 – Andy Gibb started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1978 – Andy Gibb started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Shadow Dancing’, a No.42 hit in the UK.

1972 – Paul McCartney releases “Mary Had a Little… — 1972 – Paul McCartney releases “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” The musical version of the nursery rhyme reaches No. 28 on Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 and No. 9 in Great [...]

1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Candy Ma… — 1972 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Candy Man,” Sammy Davis Jr. The biggest pop hit of Davis’ career, the song is featured in the film “Willie Wonka [...]

1972 – The Rolling Stones album ‘Exile On Main Street’ started a four-week — 1972 – The Rolling Stones album ‘Exile On Main Street’ started a four-week run at the top of the US charts, (also No.1 in the UK).

1972 – Don McLean had his first UK No.1 single with ‘Vincent.’ The song was written — 1972 – Don McLean had his first UK No.1 single with ‘Vincent.’ The song was written about the 19th century artist Vincent Van Gogh. The song is played daily at [...]

1966, Guitarist Peter Green joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers — 1966, Guitarist Peter Green joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers on this day in rock!

1965 – working at Abbey Road studios in London The Beatles completed work — 1965 – working at Abbey Road studios in London The Beatles completed work on the new Paul McCartney song ‘Yesterday’ with the overdubbing of an additional vocal track by McCartney [...]

1965 – Elvis Presley was at No.1 in the UK with ‘Crying In The Chapel — 1965 – Elvis Presley was at No.1 in the UK with ‘Crying In The Chapel’ his 15th UK No.1 single.

1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sukiyaki,” … — 1963 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sukiyaki,” Kyu Sakamoto. This is the only Japaneselanguage tune to top Chart Toppers’s pop chart.

1963 – The Rolling Stones released their first UK single, ‘Come On — 1963 – The Rolling Stones released their first UK single, ‘Come On’, it peaked at No.21 on the UK chart.

1955 – Tom Parker took over the management of Elvis Presley on This Day in Rock Music history! — 1955 – Tom Parker took over the management of Elvis Presley on This Day in Rock Music history! Tom Parker, after a month of booking large venus in Dallas and [...]

1954 – Danny Cedrone died on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1954 – Danny Cedrone died on This Day in Rock Music History! Ironically, it was a freak accident.. falling down a staircase and breaking his neck. Danny was one of [...]

1947 – Born on this day, Paul Young, singer, Sad Cafe, (1979 UK No.3 single — 1947 – Born on this day, Paul Young, singer, Sad Cafe, (1979 UK No.3 single ‘Every Day Hurts’), Mike and the Mechanics, (1989 UK No.2 single ‘The Living Years’). Died [...]

1947 – Born on this day, Greg Rolie, Santana, (1970 US No.4 single ‘Black Magic Woman’, — 1947 – Born on this day, Greg Rolie, Santana, (1970 US No.4 single ‘Black Magic Woman’, 1977 UK No.11 single ‘She’s Not There’).

1946 – Barry Manilow (Barry Alan Pinkus) is born i… — 1946 – Barry Manilow (Barry Alan Pinkus) is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He studies at Julliard. Manilow becomes Bette Midler’s accompanist in 1972, later producing her first two albums. He [...]

1930 – Born on this day, Cliff Gallup, guitarist, Gene Vincent — 1930 – Born on this day, Cliff Gallup, guitarist, Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps, (1956 US No. 7 & UK No. 16 single ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula’). Gallup died of a heart [...]