Rock History

On this day...

1955 – Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony…FEATURED — 1955 – Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony is born in Chicago. Michael Anthony Sobolewski (born June 20, 1954) is an American musician. He is best known as the [...]

2006 – Claydes Charles Smith, a co-founder and lea… — 2006 – Claydes Charles Smith, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, dies in Maplewood, New Jersey, after a long illness. He is 57

2006 – An album of jazz standards Diana Ross recor… — 2006 – An album of jazz standards Diana Ross recorded more than 30 years earlier finally sees the light of day. “Blue” was intended as a companion to the hit [...]

2004 – Britney Spears went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Everytime’, — 2004 – Britney Spears went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Everytime’, the singers fifth UK No.1. Velvet Revolver were at No.1 on the US album chart with [...]

2004 – In St. Petersburg’s Palace Square, Paul Mccartney… — 2004 – In St. Petersburg’s Palace Square, Paul Mccartney plays his 3000 gig since first performing with the Quarrymen. 50,000 Russians turn out to see the ex-Beatle, who predictably plays [...]

2000 – The Ronettes were awarded $2.6 million (£1.5 million) in “back earnings” — 2000 – The Ronettes were awarded $2.6 million (£1.5 million) in “back earnings” from Phil Spector. New York judge Paula Omansky ruled that the legendary producer had cheated them out [...]

2000 – Industrial supergroup the Damage Manual is … — 2000 – Industrial supergroup the Damage Manual is forced to scrap its North American tour, due to what an Invisible Records spokesperson describes as “continued processing delays of the band [...]

1998 – Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Korn, Pantera, Soulfly, Slayer, Fear Factory — 1998 – Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Korn, Pantera, Soulfly, Slayer, Fear Factory, Coal Chamber, Life of Agony, Limp Bizkit, Entombed, Human Waste Project, Neurosis, and Pitchshifter all appeared at Ozzfest, [...]

1997 – Lawrence Payton, a member of the Four Tops … — 1997 – Lawrence Payton, a member of the Four Tops who gave the Motown group its distinctive harmonies on hits such as “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “Reach Out [...]

1995 – Legendary country duo George Jones and Tamm… — 1995 – Legendary country duo George Jones and Tammy Wynette release reunion album “One.”

1994 – The Rolling Stones begin rehearsing in Toronto for… — 1994 – The Rolling Stones begin rehearsing in Toronto for their Voodoo Lounge live extravaganza.

1994 – It’s reported that Paul, George, and Ringo… — George, John, Ringo and Paul. Brian Epstein and George Martin deserve Mention here too. 1994 - It’s reported that Paul, George, and Ringo are working on a new song for inclusion in [...]

1992 – Mariah Carey scored her sixth US No.1 single with ‘I’ll Be There’, a No.2 — 1992 – Mariah Carey scored her sixth US No.1 single with ‘I’ll Be There’, a No.2 hit in the UK. The song was also a US No.1 for The Jackson [...]

1987 – Aerosmith appeared at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the first night on thei — 1987 – Aerosmith appeared at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the first night on their Permanent Vacation 147 date world tour.

1987 – The Firm were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Star Trekkin’ — 1987 – The Firm were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Star Trekkin’, a novelty song parodying the characters of Star Trek.

1987 – Boston appear at the 10th annual Texas Jam… — 1987 - Boston appear at the 10th annual Texas Jam for their first live performance in eight years.

1986 – Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Tina Turner and Elton John all appeared at the — 1986 – Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Tina Turner and Elton John all appeared at the fourth annual ‘Prince’s Trust Rock Gala’ held in London.

1981 – Stars on 45 went to No.1 on the US singles chart, a medley of Beatles — 1981 – Stars on 45 went to No.1 on the US singles chart, a medley of Beatles songs set to a disco beat. It was the start of a flood [...]

1980 – during a UK tour Fleetwood Mac played the first of six sold- — 1980 – during a UK tour Fleetwood Mac played the first of six sold-out nights at Wembley Arena, London, England.

1980 – Billy Joel goes to No. 1 with “It’s Still Rock… — 1980 – Billy Joel goes to No. 1 with “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.” It’s his first chart-topper.

1977 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Got to Give … — 1977 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Got to Give It Up (Pt. 1),” Marvin Gaye.

1974 – Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tim Buckley — 1974 – Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tim Buckley, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and The Doobie Brothers all appeared at Knebworth Park, Stevenage, England. A special [...]

1969 – Jimi Hendrix plays the Newport Jazz… — 1969 – Jimi Hendrix plays the Newport Jazz Festival for a whopping $125,000. At the time it’s the largest fee ever for a concert appearance.

1969 – Young David Bowie signs with Mercury… — 1969 – Young David Bowie signs with Mercury Records. The label has to wait three years for him to produce a successful follow-up to “Space Oddity.”

1967 – Jimi Hendrix and the Jefferson Airplane… — 1967 – Jimi Hendrix and the Jefferson Airplane perform at San Francisco’s Fillmore.

1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Mr. Tambouri… — 1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Mr. Tambourine Man,” The Byrds.

1964 – touring Australia The Beatles played a third night at Sydney Stadium — 1964 – touring Australia The Beatles played a third night at Sydney Stadium in Sydney.

1964 – John Lennon is described as “in a pathetic… — 1964 – John Lennon is described as “in a pathetic state of near illiteracy” by one book critic after the publication of In His Own Write.

1963 – Gerry And The Pacemakers were at No.1 on the UK singles — 1963 – Gerry And The Pacemakers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I Like It’, the group’s second No.1.

1960 – Born on this day, John Taylor, bass, Duran Duran, (1983 UK No.1 single ‘Is — 1960 – Born on this day, John Taylor, bass, Duran Duran, (1983 UK No.1 single ‘Is There Something I Should Know’, plus 25 other UK Top 40 singles, 1984 US [...]

1953 – Born on this day, Alan Longmuir, Bay City Rollers, (1975 UK No.1 single — 1953 – Born on this day, Alan Longmuir, Bay City Rollers, (1975 UK No.1 single ‘Bye Bye Baby’, plus 11 other UK Top 20 singles’, 1976 US No.1 single ‘Saturday [...]

1953 – Cyndi Lauper is born in New York City. Her … — 1953 – Cyndi Lauper is born in New York City. Her first single, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” sells more than 2 million copies and reaches No. 2 on [...]

1949 – Lionel Richie is born in Tuskegee, Ala., th… — 1949 – Lionel Richie is born in Tuskegee, Ala., the son of a retired U.S. Army captain and a teacher. The former lead singer of the Commodores has five No. [...]

1946 – Singer Anne Murray (Morna Anne Murray) is b… — 1946 – Singer Anne Murray (Morna Anne Murray) is born in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Her biggest hit is the million-selling No. 1 single “You Needed Me” in 1978.

1942 – Brian Wilson is born in Ingleside, Calif. H… — 1942 – Brian Wilson is born in Ingleside, Calif. He is the leader, bassist, composer and producer of the surf-rock group the Beach Boys. He quits touring due to nervous [...]