Rock History

On this day...

2010 – The Rolling Stones re-release, “Exile On Main Street” — 2010 – The Rolling Stones re-release, “Exile On Main Street”, and hit the UK No. 1 Album chart for the first time in 16 years on This Day in Rock. [...]

2009 – Amy Winehouse’s cancellation at the Island Records 50th anniversary Gala — 2009 – Amy Winehouse’s cancellation at the Island Records 50th anniversary Gala, Led to the event falling off the calendar on This Day in Rock. Wow, She must’ve had that [...]

2006 – Brad Paisley wins three of the evening’s to… — 2006 – Brad Paisley wins three of the evening’s top awards at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards. His “Time Well Wasted” (Arista Nashville) is named album of the [...]

2006 – The king of Sweden presented the surviving members of Led Zeppelin — 2006 – The king of Sweden presented the surviving members of Led Zeppelin with the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm recognising them as “great pioneers” of rock music. Robert Plant, [...]

2005 – Clifford Antone, who ran Austin’s famous music club Antone’s, die… — 2005 – Clifford Antone, who ran Austin’s famous music club Antone’s, dies aged 56. Since opening in 1975, Antone’s played host to blues stars like B.B. King, Buddy [...]

2003 – Moody’s Investor Service warns $55 million worth David Bowie… — 2003 – Moody’s Investor Service warns $55 million worth David Bowie Bonds may be downgraded due to the record industry’s sales slump.

2003 – Singer/songwriter Liz Phair embarks on her … — 2003 – Singer/songwriter Liz Phair embarks on her first tour in several years with a string of acoustic performances opening for the Flaming Lips.

2002 – Singer/songwriter Umberto Bindi, whose hits… — 2002 – Singer/songwriter Umberto Bindi, whose hits were considered symbols of Italy’s post-World War II economic boom dies in Rome of Cardiac problems. He is 70.

2002 – Buddy Guy is among the multiple winners at … — 2002 – Buddy Guy is among the multiple winners at the W.C. Handy Awards, mounted by the Blues Foundation in Memphis. Guy wins for contemporary male artist of the year [...]

2002 – British tenor Russel Watson takes two major… — 2002 – British tenor Russel Watson takes two major honors at the third annual Classical Brit Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall. His album “Encore” is named Rover album of [...]

2002 – winners at the 47th Ivor Novello awards included, Dido for Songwriter — 2002 – winners at the 47th Ivor Novello awards included, Dido for Songwriter of the year, Best song went to U2, ‘Walk On.’ Kylie Minogue won The Dance Award and [...]

2002 – ‘Up For Grabs’ opened at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre featuring Madonna — 2002 – ‘Up For Grabs’ opened at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre featuring Madonna in the lead role. The first night crowd complained that the singer was lacking in vocal power and [...]

2002 – Cliff Richard announced plans to launch a new wine “Vida Nova” — 2002 – Cliff Richard announced plans to launch a new wine “Vida Nova”. 27,000 bottles of the Portuguese red from the grapes of his 25 acre estate would go on [...]

2000 – Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins annou… — 2000 – Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins announces that the Seattle-based rock group will officially break up at year’s end. Corgan claims that he and his bandmates are tired [...]

2000 – “Binaural,” Pearl Jam’s long-awaited sixth … — 2000 – “Binaural,” Pearl Jam’s long-awaited sixth studio album hits U.S. store shelves.

2000 – Oasis release a statement saying that songwriter Noel Gallagher… — 2000 – Oasis release a statement saying that songwriter Noel Gallagher has left the band’s European tour. It’s believed he had fought with brother and bandmate Liam over [...]

1998 – Teen heart-throb group Hanson notches a sel… — 1998 – Teen heart-throb group Hanson notches a sellout in less than 20 minutes in the Detroit market for a June 29 show at the Pine Knob Amphitheatre.

1992 – a statement issued by Freddie Mercury’s attorneys stated that Mercury — Queen 1992 – a statement issued by Freddie Mercury’s attorneys stated that Mercury had bequeathed the majority of his estate (£10 million/$17 million) to his long-time friend Mary Austin.

1991 – photographer Michael Lavine took what would be the publicity shots — 1991 – photographer Michael Lavine took what would be the publicity shots for Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ album at Jay Aaron Studios in Los Angeles. The idea for the front cover shot [...]

1987 – The Beastie Boys and Run DMC opened their UK tour in London. — 1987 – The Beastie Boys and Run DMC opened their UK tour in London.

1982 – The UK Musicians Union moved a resolution to ban synthesizers — 1982 – The UK Musicians Union moved a resolution to ban synthesizers and drum rhythm machines from sessions and live concerts fearing that their use would put musicians out of [...]

1980 – Saxon and Tygers Of Pan Tang kicked off a 22-date UK tour at Bristol — 1980 – Saxon and Tygers Of Pan Tang kicked off a 22-date UK tour at Bristol Coliston Hall. Tickets, £2.00-£3.00.

1979 – Tom Petty files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy p… — 1979 – Tom Petty files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing is partly the result of a dispute with Petty’s record label, which had been purchased by MCA.

1978 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their 117 — 1978 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their 117 show Darkness Tour at Shea’s Buffalo in Buffalo, New York.

1975 – “Moms” Mabley (Loretta Mary Aiken) dies a… — 1975 – “Moms” Mabley (Loretta Mary Aiken) dies at the age of 78. The comedienne places 13 albums on Chart Toppers’s pop chart.

1975 – Led Zeppelin started a three night run at Earl’s Court, London — 1975 – Led Zeppelin started a three night run at Earl’s Court, London, England. Tickets cost £1 ($1.70) – £2.50 ($4.25).

1974 – George Harrison announced the launch of his own record — 1974 – George Harrison announced the launch of his own record label, ‘Dark Horse.’ Distribution Harrison had recorded for the Parlophone and Apple labels under a contract terminated in 1976. All his [...]

1973 – Jefferson Airplane were prevented from giving a free concert — 1973 – Jefferson Airplane were prevented from giving a free concert in Golden Gate Park when San Francisco authorities passed a resolution banning electronic instruments. The group later wrote ‘We [...]

1971 – Iron Butterfly breaks up. The group’s bigge… — 1971 – Iron Butterfly breaks up. The group’s biggest hit is “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida,” a No. 30 song in 1968. But is one of the most immulated drum solos of all time! Iron [...]

1970 – The Grateful Dead gives its first performan… — 1970 – The Grateful Dead gives its first performance outside the U.S., a four-hour set at the Hollywood Rock Festival in the U.K.

1970 – The Beatles album ‘Let It Be’ started a three week run at No.1 on the UK chart — 1970 – The Beatles album ‘Let It Be’ started a three week run at No.1 on the UK chart, featuring ‘The Long And Winding Road’, ‘Across The Universe’ and ‘Let [...]

1970 – Paul McCartney’s debut solo album, ‘McCartney’, started a — 1970 – Paul McCartney’s debut solo album, ‘McCartney’, started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.

1967 -Philip James Selway, drums, Radiohead, is born on This Day in Rock! — 1967 -Philip James Selway, drums, Radiohead, is born on This Day in Rock! Studio albums Year Details Peak chart positions Certifications  (sales thresholds) UK  [6] AUS  [7] BEL  [8] BEL  [9] CAN  [10][11] FRA  [12] GER   [13] IRL  [14] NLD  [15] US   [11] 1993 Pablo Honey  Released: 22 February 1993 Label: EMI[I] Format: CD, CS, LP 22 86 38 28 42 108 — — 61 32 UK: Platinum AUS: Gold CAN: 2x [...]

1967 – Pink Floyd went into the studio and recorded ‘See Emily Play — 1967 – Pink Floyd went into the studio and recorded ‘See Emily Play’, the group’s second single and written by original frontman Syd Barrett.

1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Help Me Rhon… — 1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Help Me Rhonda,” The Beach Boys.

1964 – Ella Fitzgerald became the first artist to have a hit with a Beatles — 1964 – Ella Fitzgerald became the first artist to have a hit with a Beatles cover when ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ entered the UK chart.

1963 – The Beatles, touring with Roy Orbison, performed at the Odeon — 1963 – The Beatles, touring with Roy Orbison, performed at the Odeon Cinema, Nottingham, England.

1960 – The Everly Brothers started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles — 1960 – The Everly Brothers started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Cathy’s Clown’, it spent seven weeks at No.1 in the UK.

1947 – Born on this day, Bill Hunt, Electric Light Orchestra, (1979 UK — 1947 – Born on this day, Bill Hunt, Electric Light Orchestra, (1979 UK No.3 & US No.4 single ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’, plus 26 other Top 40 hits).

1946 – Born on this day, Daniel Klein, bass, J Geils Band, (1982 US No. — 1946 – Born on this day, Daniel Klein, bass, J Geils Band, (1982 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘Centrefold’).

1945 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sentimental … — 1945 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Sentimental Journey,” Les Brown Orchestra/Doris Day.

1944 – Raymond Fulwood, Parliament, Funkadelic, is born on This Day in Rock! — 1944 – Raymond Fulwood, Parliament, Funkadelic, is born on This Day in Rock! Funkadelic had 1978 US No.16 album “One Nation Under A Groove”.

1943 – Born on this day, Norman Johnson, Chairmen Of The Board, (1970 UK — 1943 – Born on this day, Norman Johnson, Chairmen Of The Board, (1970 UK & US No.3 single, ‘Give Me Just A Little More Time’).

1934 – Robert Moog, inventor of the synthesiser, is born on This Day in Rock. — 1934 – Robert Moog, inventor of the synthesiser, is born on This Day in Rock. He built his first electronic instrument, a theremin – aged 14 and made the MiniMoog, [...]

1928 – Rosemary Clooney, American singer, is born on This Day in Rock! — 1928 – Rosemary Clooney, American singer, is born on This Day in Rock! She has the 1954 UK No.1 single “This Ole House”. She suffered from bi-polar disorder died on 29th [...]