Today in rock history 7th December

1949 – Tom Waits is born in Pomona, Calif. He claims that he was born in the back of a moving taxi. 1962 – The Rolling Stones audition bass players at the World’s End pub in Chelsea, London. One candidate is Bill Wyman. He gets the job partly because he has tons of cool equipment the band can use. 1963 – The No. 1 album in the U.K. this week is With the Beatles. The Beatles themselves appear on the British TV program Juke Box Jury. 1968 – Eric Burdon announces that he will break up the Animals following a concert at Newcastle City Hall, in England, on December 22. 1968 – The Beatles’ self-titled double album, referred to as The White Album because of its cover, tops the British albums chart. 1973 – Fleetwood Mac manager Clifford Davis declares that he owns the rights to the band’s name and assembles a second Fleetwood Mac to tour around the country. After a lengthy legal fight, the second Fleetwood Mac become Stretch. . 1986 – Huey Lewis and the News sing the national anthem a cappella before a San Francisco 49ers-New York Jets football game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. 1991 – “Achtung Baby” by U2 debuts at No. 1 on Chart Toppers’s pop albums chart. 1993 – Despite protests, Guns N’ Roses say that their cover of Charles Manson’s “Look at Your Game, Girl” will stay on the album The Spaghetti Incident? Royalties from their recording will go to the son of a Manson family victim. 1999 – The Eagles hold a press conference to announce that their first Greatest Hits package has become America’s best-selling album. 2000 – In a New York TV studio, B.B. King performs with Elmo and Big Bird for an episode of Sesame Street. 2003 – Ozzy Osbourne tells the Los Angeles Times that his stuttering and physically unstable condition was caused by a cocktail of prescription medicine. 2004 – Actor William Shatner’s infamous 1968 album “The Transformed Man,” which finds the venerable Capt. Kirk reading poetry over ultra-serious musical accompaniment and covering such contemporary classics as Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” and the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” is reissued by Geffen. 2004 – Welsh rockers The Stereophonics announce they have replaced drummer Stuart Cable, who was sacked in 2003, with the Argentine skinsman Javier Weyler. 2005 – The MBE medal that John Lennon returned to the Queen was found in a royal vault at St James’ Palace. 2008 - Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend were honored at the Kennedy Center Honors for their contributions to American culture in The Who.

Today in rock history 6th December

1947 – Guitarist Kim Simmonds, who rode the British blues boom with his group Savoy Brown, is born in Newbridge, Wales. 1955 – The Jam drummer Rick Buckler is born. 1956 – Guitarist Peter Buck of R.E.M is born. 1956 – Randy Rhoads, a guitar god of a different stripe with Ozzy Osbourne’s band, is born in Santa Monica, Calif. 1963 – The Beatles’ first Christmas record is delivered to their Artist Pages. 1964 – In the NME year-end poll, the Rolling Stones are voted No. 1 U.K. R&B Group and Best New Group. Mick Jagger is named Best New Disc or TV Singer. 1965 – The Rolling Stones go into RCA’s Hollywood Studios to record “Mother’s Little Helper” and “19th Nervous Breakdown.” 1967 – The Beatles open their Apple Boutique on London’s Baker Street. 1969 – The Rolling Stones’ hold an ill-fated concert at California’s Altamont Speedway, where a fan is stabbed to Death near the stage. 1978 – Out on bail after a prison stint on Riker’s Island, Sid Vicious decides to spend the evening at New York’s Hurrah club. There he gets into a fight with Patti Smith’s brother and ends up smashing a glass in his face. 1980 – In the studio, John Lennon mixes “Walking on Thin Ice.” He’s also interviewed by British DJ Andy Peebles. Mark David Chapman arrives in New York after flying there from Honolulu. He checks into a YMCA nine blocks from John Lennon’s apartment. 1988 – Roy Orbison dies of a heart attack while on a visit to his mother near Nashville, Tenn. He is 52. 1994 – Pearl Jam release their third album, the stripped-down and punky Vitalogy. 1999 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces it will induct Eric Clapton, Lovin’ Spoonful, the Moonglows, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, and Earth, Wind & Fire next year. 2003 – David Bowie postpones the Atlantic City, N.J start of the North American leg of his A Reality tour after contracting the flu. 2004 – One of the worst kept secrets in rock becomes a secret no longer when Motley Crue announce they are reforming for their first tour in five years. 2005 -Valerie Bertinelli filed for divorce from her husband of 20 years, Eddie Van Halen. The couple had been separated since October 15, 2001. 2009 - Bruce Springsteen was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors for his contributions to American culture. President Barack Obama would say “I’m the President, but he’s The Boss.”

Today in rock history 5th December

1935 – Little Richard (Richard Wayne Penniman) is born in Macon, Ga., the son of a minister. 1938 – Guitarist J.J. Cale is born in Oklahoma City. 1944 – Lucas Sideras, drummer with Greek prog rockers Aphrodite’s Child, has a birthday today. 1965 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The Byrds. Songwriter Pete Seeger adapted the lyrics from the Book of Ecclesiastes. 1967 – Pink Floyd finish their tour supporting Jimi Hendrix at Green’s Playhouse in Glasgow, Scotland. Throughout the tour, the Nice guitarist Davy O’List has been drafted in when regular singer Syd Barrett either has been too out of it to play or simply hasn’t deigned to show up. 1968 – The Rolling Stones’ launch party at London’s Queensgate Hotel for Beggars Banquet soon degenerates into a near-riot. Waitresses serve food dressed as medieval wenches. During the dessert course, a custard pie fight begins, with most of the pastries aimed at record label execs who vetoed the Stones’ toilet cover art. 1969 – Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant prevents Atlantic from releasing “Whole Lotta Love” as a single in the U.K. John Bonham says, “We refused because they wanted to take the middle section out and we didn’t like it. 1980 – John Lennon gives his final Rolling Stone interview to Jonathan Cott. Mark David Chapman leaves Honolulu to fly to New York, where he will shoot John Lennon three days later. 1993 – Ex-Gin Blossoms lead guitarist Douglas Hopkins shoots and kills himself at his home in Tempe, Ariz. He is 32. Hopkins was fired from the band the previous year because of his drinking habit. 2000 - Roger Waters released his live album In the Flesh which was recorded on his In the Flesh tour, which was his first tour in twelve years. 2004 – Sir Elton John receives a Kennedy Center honor in Washington, D.C. During the ceremony, Secretary of State Colin Powell performs a rap to celebrate another honoree, Warren “Bulworth” Beatty. 2005 – Audioslave’s lead groaner Chris Cornell at last has reason to smile: his wife gives birth to son … Christopher Cornell.

Today in rock history 4th December

1944 – Byrds bassist Chris Hillman is born in Los Angeles. He also was a founding member of the Flying Burrito Brothers. 1948 – Johnny Lyon, who garnered fame as the titular Southside Johnny of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes and a pal of Bruce Springsteen, is born in Neptune, N.J. 1951 – Guitarist and drummer Gary Rossington, one of the founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, is born in Jacksonville, Fla. 1956 – Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins hold an impromptu recording session at Sun Studios, Memphis, Tenn.. 1968 – In a New York Times article, a Soviet music critic declares that the Beatles “have become rich idols of the Philistines.” 1971 – T Rex scored their first No.1 album with their 6th release ‘Electric Warrior’. 1975 – Tragedy strikes Deep Purple in Jakarta, Indonesia, after their bodyguard Patsy Collins falls six floors down an elevator shaft in their hotel. Rumors persist that Collins had gotten into a fight with local promoters who owed the heavy-metal band money. 1976 - Tommy Bolin, guitarist for Deep Purple and The James Gang was found dead in a Miami hotel room from a drug overdose. He was 25 years old. 1976 - Workers at EMI Records in the U.K. went on strike refusing to package The Sex Pistols’ single “Anarchy in the U.K.” 1980 – Led Zeppelin announces its decision to break up. 1991 – Van Halen perform a free concert in Dallas to make up for a show back in 1988 when singer Sammy Hagar lost his voice mid-set. 1993 – Frank Zappa dies at age 52 in Los Angeles. The avant-garde rocker had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. 2003 – Courtney Love takes a break from rehab to go nightclubbing in Los Angeles. She’s seen performing with local band Let’s Go Sailing. 2012 – Randy Blythe from ‘Lamb of God’ is charged over the death of a fan at a concert in Prague in 2010.

Today in rock history 3rd December

1948 – Ozzy Osbourne is born in Birmingham. 1949 – Born on this day, Mickey Thomas, Jefferson Starship. 1961 – Brian Epstein invited The Beatles into his office to discuss the possibility of becoming their manager. 1965 – Rolling Stone Keith Richards was knocked unconscious by an electric shock on stage at the Memorial Hall In Sacramento, California, when his guitar made contact with his microphone. 1965 – The Beatles set out on what would be their last ever UK tour at Glasgow’s Odeon Cinema. 1969 – The Rolling Stones recorded ‘Brown Sugar’ at Muscle Shoals studios. The single went on to be a UK & US No.1. 1971 – A fire burns down the Montreux Casino in Switzerland during a Frank Zappa concert. Deep Purple witness the conflagration and go on to write “Smoke on the Water” about the catastrophe. 1972 – Led Zeppelin perform at Green’s Playhouse, in Glasgow, Scotland. When their publicist tries to stop some ticket scalpers, he is beaten by fans outside the venue. 1975 – Ronnie Wood’s wife Krisse was arrested for alleged possession of cannabis and cocaine after a raid on the couple’s house in Richmond. 1976 – An inflatable pig is spotted floating over London’s Battersea Power Station. It’s only the prop being used for the album cover to Pink Floyd’s Animals. However, the balloon breaks free of its moorings and drifts away, prompting the Civil Aviation Authority to issue a warning to pilots flying over London. 1979 – Eleven audience members are trampled to Deaths at a concert headlined by the Who at Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati. 1986 – A lawsuit is filed against the group Judas Priest and CBS Records, alleging two fans shot themselves after listening to the band’s music for six hours. 2000 – Mick Jagger and U2 formed a £100 million offshore investment trust to buy commercial property. Based in the Channel Islands the fund planed to invest in small offices and shops in London. 2005 – Not-very-shocking-anymore shock rocker Marilyn Manson causes a mild ripple of outrage when he marries longtime squeeze Dita Von Teese at Castle Gurteen in Ireland.

Today in rock history 1st December

1938 – Rockabilly drumming star Sandy Nelson is born in Santa Monica. 1944 – Eric Bloom, singer and nominal leader of heavy-metal funsters Blue Oyster Cult, is born. 1944 – Doors drummer John Densmore is born in Los Angeles 1957 – Buddy Holly & the Crickets perform “That’ll Be the Day” on TV’s “Ed Sullivan Show.” 1966 – Jimi Hendrix signs a management deal with Yameta, a firm started by Who managers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp. 1968 – Janis Joplin makes a final appearance with Big Brother & the Holding Company. 1969 – George Harrison and Ringo Starr turn up at London’s Royal Albert Hall to watch Delaney & Bonnie perform with Eric Clapton. 1976 – The Sex Pistols appear on London TV’s Today show, on which host Bill Grundy prompts a profanity-ridden rant from the band members. The press outrage over the Pistols’ behavior leads to a ban on the group from all but five of the venues they’re scheduled to play on their new tour. 1977 – Brad Delson (Linkin Park) is born. 1980 – Talking Heads kick off their U.K. tour at London’s Hammersmith Palais. They’re supported by U2. 1993 – Pink Floyd hold a press conference to announce their 1994 world tour. 1999 – Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, and punk legend Jello Biafra throw a curfew-violating concert in Seattle to protest the World Trade Organization summit. 2003 – Ozzy Osbourne tells the U.K. tabloid Daily Mirror that as a boy he was molested by two older youths at school. 2004 – U2’s 11th album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb goes into the charts at No. 1, knocking Eminem’s Encore off the top spot.

Today in rock history 2nd December

1941 – Manfred Mann bassist Tom McGuinness is born in Wimbledon. 1960 – Bassist Rick Savage of Def Leppard is born. 1964 – Ringo Starr enters a London hospital to get his tonsils removed. 1969 – Having watched them play with Eric Clapton last night in London, George Harrison joins Delaney & Bonnie to perform with them in Bristol 1970 – Former Animal Eric Burdon launches his new initiative Curb the Clap by distributing bumper stickers. 1973 – The Who are arrested in Montreal for allegedly wrecking a hotel suite. They spend six hours in jail and are ordered to pay a $2,100 fine. John Entwistle later writes the song “Cell Block Number Seven” about the incident. 1978 – Bob Dylan teaches his band an early version of his song “Slow Train” at a soundcheck. 1986 – Jerry Lee Lewis checks into the Betty Ford Clinic to overcome a painkiller addition. 1988 – Today on Geraldo, the talk-show host welcomes Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Willie Nelson to talk about a subject that touches us all: sex on the road. 1997 – A man dies after falling from the balcony of the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan during a Rolling Stones concert. 2001 – With four awards, the Dave Matthews Band reigns supreme as the big winner at the second annual My VH! Music Awards. 2003 –Alice Cooper receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 2003 – Switzerland investigates Marilyn Manson after the religious group Christians for Truth allege his concert in Zurich broke a law designed to protect the sanctity of Swiss religion. 2007 – Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne made more than $800,000 (£389,032) for charity after they sold off some of their possessions from their former US home. 2012 - Led Zeppelin were recipients at the Kennedy Center Honors for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. President Barack Obama drew laughs from the crowd when thanked the band for behaving themselves at the White House.