Today in rock history 25th May

1974 – Jim Morrison’s widow, Pam, dies of a drug overdose 1983 – This Day in Dio: Dio release their Holy Diver album. 1988 – Frank Zappa must have had a great agent. Because he’s invited to perform during the opening night of the historic Reagan/Gorbachev summit in Moscow. But he also had lousy business sense. Zappa declined. 1989 – “Weird Al” Yankovic records “She Drives Like Crazy” and “Isle Thing” for the UHF soundtrack. 1997 – The day after his 56th birthday, Bob Dylan is admitted into a Los Angeles hospital with chest pains. What’s feared to be a heart attack turns out to be a case of histoplasmosis, or an inflammation of the sac around his heart. He cancels a European tour. 2000 – In Houston, Eddie Van Halen is tested for cancer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The hospital says that the tests are routine, and that the guitarist is not ill. 2000 – Paul McCartney wins the ultimate accolade from Britain’s music industry when he is awarded the first Fellowship of the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters Award during the annual Ivor Novello awards in London. 2000 – The 21st annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards are webcast live via the House Of Blues website. 2003 – Mars Volta keyboardist Jeremy Ward is found dead of a suspected drug overdose at his Los Angeles home. He was 27. 2004 – Courtney Love pleads guilty to being under the influence of a controlled substance, a charge stemming from a 2003 arrest. She is now eligible for a sentence that would require her to attend a drug treatment program instead of going to jail. 2004 – In a surprising move, Vermont-based jam band Phish announces that it plans to split following the conclusion of its summer tour in August. 2006 – Legendary songwriting and producing team Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Kinks frontman Ray Davies, electro-rock outfit New Order and veteran pop siblings the Bee Gees are among the honorees at the 51st Ivor Novello Awards for songwriters. 2007 – Wayne Fontana of the 60’s group, “Mindbenders”, was taken into custody. Wayne admitted to pouring petrol on a bailiff’s vehicle and setting it on fire.