Rock History

On this day...

2009 – Michael Jackson delayed the opening four nights of his This Is It UK tour at London’s O2 arena. — 2009 – Michael Jackson delayed the opening four nights of his This Is It UK tour at London’s O2 arena. Concert promoters AEG Live said the delay was [...]

2008 – The US Congress passed a resolution designating May 13th as Frank — 2008 – The US Congress passed a resolution designating May 13th as Frank Sinatra Day to honor his contribution to American culture.

2008 – The US Congress passed a resolution designating May 13th as Frank Sinatra — 2008 – The US Congress passed a resolution designating May 13th as Frank Sinatra Day to honor his contribution to American culture.

2007 – Linkin Park went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Minutes To — 2007 – Linkin Park went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Minutes To Midnight’ the bands fifth Top 20 UK album. Also a US No.1.

2006 – Tool were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘10,000 Days’ the American — 2006 – Tool were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘10,000 Days’ the American bands second No.1 album.

2006 – Heavy metal monsters Lordi became Finland’s first ever — 2006 – Heavy metal monsters Lordi became Finland’s first ever Eurovision Song Contest winners after their song Hard Rock Hallelujah won in Athens. The band won the Eurovision public vote [...]

2001 – R.E.M. started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK — 2001 – R.E.M. started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Reveal’.

2001 – Renato Carosone, a key figure in Italian mu… — 2001 – Renato Carosone, a key figure in Italian music in the post-war era, dies in Rome at the age of 81. Carosone, a Neapolitan, was most famous for his [...]

1999 – More than 20 veteran acts, including Jan & … — 1999 – More than 20 veteran acts, including Jan & Dean, Pat Boone, Freddy Fender, and the Grass Roots sue K-tel International Inc. for breach of contract and non-payment of [...]

1999 – An autopsy performed on the exhumed body of… — 1999 – An autopsy performed on the exhumed body of Tammy Wynette at the behest of her husband George Richey, shows that she died of heart failure caused by damage [...]

1998 – The funeral of Frank Sinatra was held at the Church of the Good — 1998 – The funeral of Frank Sinatra was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. Mourners in attendance included, Tony Bennett, Faye Dunaway, Tony Curtis, Liza [...]

1998 – Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee is sentenced … — 1998 – Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee is sentenced to six months in jail and three years’ probation for kicking his soon-to-be ex-wife, onetime “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson, as she [...]

1998 – Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward takes ill a… — 1998 – Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward takes ill and is hospitalized in London. Ward was to join the band for its first European tour since 1978.

1997 – U2 caused traffic chaos in Kansas City, Missouri after they paid — 1997 – U2 caused traffic chaos in Kansas City, Missouri after they paid for traffic control to close down five lanes so they could shoot the video for ‘Last Night [...]

1995 – Don Henley married model Sharon Summerall. Guests — 1995 – Don Henley married model Sharon Summerall. Guests included Billy Joel, Randy Newman, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen.

1992 – Hard rock group Aerosmith donates $10,000 t… — 1992 – Hard rock group Aerosmith donates $10,000 to support “Corporal Politics,” a controversial art exhibition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Funding for the exhibit was denied the previous [...]

1979 – Elton John plays Leningrad and becomes the … — 1979 – Elton John plays Leningrad and becomes the first Western solo pop star to tour the Soviet Union.

1978 – “The Buddy Holly Story” Premiers in Buddy’s Hometown of Lubbock Texas on This Day in Rock History! — 1978 – “The Buddy Holly Story” Premiers in Buddy’s Hometown of Lubbock Texas on This Day in Rock History! Gary Busey plays the famous Buddy Holly, but it’s also a [...]

1978 – Sir Paul McCartney is at No. 1 on the US Singles Billboard chart on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1978 – Sir Paul McCartney is at No. 1 on the US Singles Billboard chart on This Day in Rock Music History! ‘With a little luck’ on his 6th solo [...]

1977 – The stage show “Beatlemania” opens at the W… — 1977 – The stage show “Beatlemania” opens at the Winter Garden Theater, New York.

1972 – T Rex Has No. 1 in the UK on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1972 – T Rex Has No. 1 in the UK on This Day in Rock Music History! Metal Guru tops the chart in the UK… the band’s 4th No. 1. [...]

1970 – The last Beatles film, “Let It Be,” premier… — 1970 – The last Beatles film, “Let It Be,” premieres in London. Three songs from the album of the same name reach No. 1: “Get Back,” “The Long and Winding [...]

1969 – Led Zeppelin begins a 3 day recording session at A&R Studios on This Day in Rock Music history! — 1969 – Led Zeppelin begins a 3 day recording session at A&R Studios on This Day in Rock Music history! Pressured by the Record label to finish recordings for an [...]

1968 – On returning from India, The Beatles tape 23 new songs on George Harrison’s 4 track on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1968 – On returning from India, The Beatles tape 23 new songs on George Harrison’s 4 track on This Day in Rock Music History! In India, The Beatles worked on [...]

1966 – The Who’s Pete Townsend Hits Keith Moon on the Head with his Guitar on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1966 – The Who’s Pete Townsend Hits Keith Moon on the Head with his Guitar on This Day in Rock Music History! After waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon [...]

1964 – Rudy Lewis of ‘The Drifters’ died on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1964 – Rudy Lewis of ‘The Drifters’ died on This Day in Rock Music History! Remaining a mystery to this day, Rudy died at the age of 28 the night [...]

1962 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Stranger on t… — 1962 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Stranger on the Shore,” Mr. Acker Bilk. It is the first British hit to make the top of the U.S. charts.

1961 – “Thank Your Lucky Stars” hosts Cliff Richards Debut TV performance on This Day in Rock n’ Roll History! — 1961 – “Thank Your Lucky Stars” hosts Cliff Richards Debut TV performance on This Day in Rock n’ Roll History!  

1960 – The Silver Beetles consisting of John, Paul, George, Stu Stucliffe and Tommy Moore play their first tour on This Day in Rock Music History! — 1960 – The Silver Beetles consisting of John, Paul, George, Stu Stucliffe and Tommy Moore play their first tour on This Day in Rock Music History! With backing singer Johnny [...]

1960 – Born on this day Sue Cowsill, The Cowsills, (1967 US No.2 singl — 1960 – Born on this day Sue Cowsill, The Cowsills, (1967 US No.2 single ‘The Rain, The Park & Other Things’, 1969 US No.2 single the theme from ‘Hair’). TV’s [...]

1947 – Born on this day Steve Currie, T Rex, (1971 UK No.1 single ‘Hot Love’, plus — 1947 – Born on this day Steve Currie, T Rex, (1971 UK No.1 single ‘Hot Love’, plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles). Currie died on 28th April [...]

1946 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Gypsy,” I… — 1946 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Gypsy,” Ink Spots.

1946 – Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian La Pier) is born i… — 1946 – Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian La Pier) is born in El Centro, Calif. She records with husband Sonny Bono in the duo Sonny & Cher. She has three solo No. [...]

1944 – Joe Cocker (John Cocker) is born in Sheffie… — 1944 – Joe Cocker (John Cocker) is born in Sheffield, England. His biggest hit is “Up Where We Belong,” a duo with Jennifer Warnes. The song, the love theme from [...]

1942 – Born on this day, Jill Jackson, Paul and Paula, (1963 US No.1 — 1942 – Born on this day, Jill Jackson, Paul and Paula, (1963 US No.1 & UK No.8 single, ‘Hey Paula’).