Today In Rock History
On This Day:
In 1963 Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones as their drummer after leaving his job as a graphic designer.
In 1968 John Lennon was on the cover of “Look” magazine.
In 1971 Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” peaked at number four on the pop singles chart.
In 1973 The Rolling Stones had to cancel its plans for a tour of the Orient. The Japanese government denied Mick Jagger a visa because of a 1969 drug bust.
Velvet Underground’s Lou Reed married an unknown waitress, a woman named Betty, in a ceremony in New York.
In 1978 Jackson Browne released the album “Running On Empty.”
In 1979 Rod Stewart, the Bee Gees, and John Denver were among those participating in the “Music for UNICEF” fundraising concert in New York.
In 1981 John Lennon’s “Imagine” hit number one on the UK pop singles chart, a month after his death.
In 1984 The John Lennon song “Nobody Told Me” was released.
In 1989 Rush released the album “A Show of Hands.”
In 1992 Protesters bombed the office of the music promoter who was handling Paul Simon’s South Africa tour. Simon’s tour went on without further incident.
In 1995 Pearl Jam was voted best band in the “Rolling Stone” magazine reader’s poll.
In 1997 David Bowie celebrated his 50th birthday a day late with a star-studded concert at Madison Square Garden. Lou Reed, Foo Fighters, and Sonic Youth were among the guest performers.
In 1999 Hootie and the Blowfish bassist Dean Felber married Laurie Hutchinson in a ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina.
In 2001 The woman accused of stalking Axl Rose was arrested outside the Guns N’ Roses singer’s Malibu, California, home. She was charged with violating her probation.
Peter Frampton’s album “Frampton Comes Alive: 25th Anniversary Special Edition” was released.
Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour won the rights to use davidgilmour.com as his website address. The site had been used by a man selling Pink Floyd merchandise.
In 2002 Lenny Kravitz and U2 were among the winners at the 29th Annual American Music Awards.
In 2003 Vince Neil made his TV debut on reality show “The Surreal Life.”
Bee Gee Maurice Gibb collapsed at his home in Miami with severe abdominal pain. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage, but died three days later.
A piano owned by Elvis Presley was sold for 685-thousand-dollars.
In 2004 Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres and wife Alejandra celebrated the birth of their son Hector Alexander in Florida.
In 2005 Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil married girlfriend Lia Geradini in Las Vegas. Neil’s “Surreal Life” co-star MC Hammer officiated at the ceremony.
U2 was named Favorite Group at the 31st annual People’s Choice Awards in Pasadena, California.
In 2006 Ozzy Osbourne came in fifth on the British “Homes & Antiques” magazine’s list of the World’s Most Eccentric Stars. Former Sugarcubes frontwoman Bjork took first place. Elton John and Johnny Rotten also made the tally.
In 2007 Britain’s Royal Mail honored The Beatles with a series of postage stamps. The six stamps features the cover designs from the albums “With The Beatles,” “Help!,” “Revolver,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Abbey Road,” and “Let It Be.”
Question Mark and the Mysterians frontman Question Mark lost all his material possessions — including his stage clothes, Gold records, and other band memorabilia — and four of his seven Yorkies were killed in a fire that destroyed the Clio, Michigan house the rocker had called home for nearly 40 years.
In 2012 Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He said he was in the early stages of lymphoma, and expected to make a full recovery.
The previously unreleased, recently discovered Doors song “She Smells So Nice” had its debut on the band’s Facebook page.
In 2016 Stars paid tribute to Motorhead frontman Lemmy at his funeral at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery.
In 2024 James Kottak drummer for the band Scorpions died at the age of 61.
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