Today in rock history 11th January

1895 – Born on this day, Laurens Hammond, inventor of the Hammond organ. 1942 – The big man – Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band – is born in Norfolk, Va. 1946 - Tony Kaye-keyboardist for Yes is born 1963 – The Whisky A-Go-Go, the Hollywood club devoted to the cutting edge of rock, opens. The Doors were discovered there by Elektra boss Jac Holzman when opening for Love at the Whisky in 1966. 1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded ‘Purple Haze’. Jimi also signed to the new record label Track Records on this day. 1967 – Pink Floyd begin two days of recording with producer Joe Boyd, working on the tracks “Interstellar Overdrive,” “Arnold Layne,” “Let’s Roll Another One” and “Nick’s Boogie.” 1968 – Jimi Hendrix moves into a London townhouse formerly owned by the Messiah’s composer George Frederick Handel. 1969 – The Rolling Stones go to No. 5 in the American album charts with their new release Beggars Banquet. 1969 – Jethro Tull release their debut album This Was. 1975 – Led Zeppelin play “Kashmir” live for the first time during a gig at the Ahoy in Rotterdam. 1985 - The first Rock in Rio festival kicked off in Rio de Janeiro. The ten day festival featured artists such as Queen, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Yes, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, The Scorpions and Whitesnake. 1999 – At this year’s American Music Awards, Billy Joel receives the Special Award of Merit and Blondie perform “No Exit” with rapping assistance from Coolio. 2000 – Several fans of Slipknot are arrested in Oklahoma City, Okla. after a promoter oversells one of their concerts. 2003 - T. Rex drummer Mickey Finn died from alcohol related liver problems in a London hospital. He was 55 years old. 2003 – The RIAA certifies AC/DC’s Back In Black as the world’s second-best-selling album of all time, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller. 2004 – Rock wildman Ted Nugent requires 40 stitches to his leg after wounding himself with a chainsaw. Nugent was in Waco, Texas, taping a segment of his VH1 series Surviving Nugent: The Ted Commandments. 2005 – Singer/songwriter Jimmy Griffin, best known for his work with 1970s soft rock act Bread, dies at his home near Nashville of complications from cancer. 2005 – Spencer Dryden, the drummer for legendary rock band the Jefferson Airplane, dies of cancer at his home in Petaluma, Calif. He was 66. 2008 – Ringo Starr helped launch the celebrations for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture. He was joined by acrobats who dangled on wires from cranes as the opening party kicked off a year-long programme of more than 350 events.

Today in rock history 10th January

1935 – Rockabilly performer Ronnie Hawkins, former employer of the Band, is born in Huntsville, Ark. 1945 – Roderick (Rod) Stewart is born in London. 1946 – Drummer Aynsley Dunbar, who has played with Journey and Jefferson Starship, is born in Liverpool. 1948 – Donald Fagen of Steely Dan is born in Passaic, N.J. 1953 – Pat Benatar (Pat Andrzejewski) is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. 1955 – Born on this day, Michael Schenker, German guitarist, formed The Scorpions, member of UFO. 1958 – Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fires” goes to No. 1. 1969 – George Harrison announces that he is leaving the Beatles. He later returns. 1971 – The trial over Paul McCartney’s move to dissolve the Beatles partnership begins today in London’s High Court. Ringo testifies, “Paul behaved like a spoilt child.” 1976 – Bluesman Howlin’ Wolf dies in a hospital near Chicago following brain surgery. 1978 – The litigation between Beatles, Apple, Allen Klein and ABKCO is declared settled in court. 1986 – Ted Nugent appears on TV’s “Miami Vice.” 1999 - The Moody Blue appeared on The Simpsons. 2000 – Longtime Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman announces his departure from the veteran heavy medal group. Friedman will be replaced by Al Pitrelli, who has previously played with Asia, Alice Cooper, and Savatage. 2000 – Melissa Etheridge ends speculation about the paternity of the children the rock star shares with partner Julie Cypher, when she announces that David Crosby is the children’s father. 2001 – Christians gather outside the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara, California to pray for the soul of Marilyn Manson, who is performing inside. They also distributed pizza, soda and cookies to gig-goers. 2003 – A haul of 500 Beatles tapes known as the ‘Get Back sessions’ stolen in the 1970’s were found after UK police cracked a major bootleg operation in London. 2004 – A Los Angeles court awards Courtney Love custody of her daughter Frances Bean Cobain. Frances was put in the care of Kurt Cobain’s mother following Love’s 2003 OD. 2005 – A woman was suing Gene Simmons from Kiss for slander, alleging a documentary made her out to be a “sex-addicted nymphomaniac”. Georgeann Walsh Ward, 53, of New York, said during a VH1 documentary her photo was flashed up as Simmons talked about his past sexual encounters. Ms Walsh Ward had dated Simmons for three years when he was a student. In the documentary, Simmons boasted of having sex with over 4,600 women. 2006 – The White Stripes postpone their Japanese tour after doctors tell Jack White not to speak or sing for at least 2 weeks. This is due to his Vocal chords being used too much from singing constantly. 2008 – Radiohead topped the US album charts with the physical release of ‘In Rainbows’, originally sold via the internet for a price chosen by fans.

Today in rock history 9th January

1944 – Guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin is born in Heston, England. 1950 – David Johansen, the mouth of the New York Dolls and Buster Poindexter’s alter ego, is born in Staten Island, N.Y. 1963 – Drummer Charlie Watts joined The Rolling Stones after leaving Blues Incorporated. 1965 – John Lennon makes a guest appearance on the British satirical TV shot Not Only … But Also, opposite comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. 1965 – American promoter Sid Bernstein telephones Beatles manager Brian Epstein to propose the Fab Four play Shea Stadium. 1967 – The Beatles record the flutes, trumpets, piccolos and flugelhorn for “Penny Lane.” 1973 – Japan refuses to issue a visa to singer Mick Jagger because he was busted for drugs in 1969. Because of this, the Rolling Stones have to cancel a proposed Asian tour. Jagger tells a reporter, “I don’t take drugs. I don’t approve of drugs and I don’t approve of people taking drugs, unless they’re very careful.” 1975 – The Beatles dissolved the company partnership after many successful years. The matter was handled in a London High Court. 1976 –‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ written and recorded by ‘Queen’ is number 1 in the UK. 1984 - 1984 by Van Halen is released. 1992 – Sting makes a guest appearance on the Fox animated TV comedy series “The Simpsons,” in the episode “Radio Bart.” 1995 – “Rolling Stone” releases its annual music awards with the people voting Green Day as best new band, Pearl Jam as best band and Nirvana tapped as artists of the year. 1997 – David Bowie celebrates his 50th Birthday with a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, just one day after his actual birth date. The concert features special guests the Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, Frank Black, Robert Smith, Sonic Youth and Placebo. 2004 – Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres’ wife Alejandra gives birth to a son, Hector Alexander, in Florida. 2005 – Motley Crue’s Vince Neil marries his girlfriend Lia Gerardini in Las Vegas. It’s Neil’s fourth marriage. The singer’s Surreal Life buddy MC Hammer performs the ceremony.

Today in rock history 8th January

1935 – Elvis Presley is born in Tupelo, Miss., one of a pair of twins. 1943- The Nice bassist Lee Jackson is born. 1946 – The Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger is born in Los Angeles. 1947 – David Bowie (David Robert Jones) is born in London. He first records with the King Bees, Lower Third and the Mannish Boys in 1963 before going solo. 1947 – Terry Sylvester, Graham Nash’s replacement in the Hollies, is born in Liverpool. 1955 – Loverboy vocalist Mike Reno is born. 1957 – Bill Haley & His Comets started the first ever ‘rock & roll tour’ of Australia, playing two sold out nights in Sydney. 1966 – The Beatles started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Rubber Soul’ the groups seventh US chart topper. 1966 – ABC broadcasts the last ever episode of pop music program Shindig! The Kinks and the Who see off the twice-weekly show in explosive fashion. 1973 – Yoko Ono releases Approximately Infinite Universe, a double album whose highlights include songs like “I Felt Like Smashing My Face in a Clear Glass Window.” Ono explains she felt she should make a double LP because “if George Harrison can put out a triple album, then I can put out a double album.” 1974 – Kiss is signed to its first recording contract. KISS drum up some press by performing a “dress rehearsal” shortly after signing to Casablanca Records and honing their carnival-esque image. Rolling Stone‘s reporter says, “The group plays very heavy, loud and ultimately monotonous rock in the Black Sabbath tradition. … A sure crowd-pleaser. 1975 – Tickets for three Led Zeppelin concerts at Madison Square Garden go on sale. The box office has to call on other ticket outlets to help cope with demand and sells out their 60,000 tickets in four hours. 1977 – Queen went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Day At The Races.’ 1979 – The Canadian government names Rush “Official Ambassadors of Music.” 1991 – Steve Clark of Def Leppard is found dead in the living room of his London home by his girlfriend. The coroner rules that the 30-year-old died of a lethal combination of alcohol and drugs after a night of heavy drinking. 1995 – Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder hosts a national late-night radio show broadcast titled “Self Pollution Radio” from the band’s hometown of Seattle. 2001 – A woman who believed that Axl Rose communicated with her via telepathy was arrested for stalking the Guns N’ Roses singer for a second time. Police detained Karen Jane McNeil after she was spotted loitering outside his house. 2004 – Sheryl Crow, U2’s The Edge, Alicia Keys and Ben Affleck appear at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to speak out against digital piracy. 2006 – The Strokes top the U.K. album chart with their third LP, First Impressions of the Earth.

Today in rock history 7th January

1944 – Mike McGear who was really Paul McCartney’s brother – is born. 1945 – Dave Cousins, leader of the British folk-prog group the Strawbs, is born. 1946 – Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner is born in New York. 1948 – Kenny Loggins is born in Everett, Wash. 1955 – ‘Rock Around The Clock’ by Bill Haley and his Comets, entered the UK chart for the first time. 1959 – The Go-Go’s bassist Kathy Valentine is born. 1964 – The Beatles record a session for the BBC Saturday Club program, during which they make their only known recording of the Chuck Berry song “Johnnie B. Goode.” 1970 – Led Zeppelin kicked off an 8-date UK tour at Birmingham Town Hall. 1973 – David Bowie appears live at Newcastle City Hall, England. 1980 – Hugh Cornwall of The Stranglers was found guilty of possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis. He was fined £300 ($510) and sentenced to three months in Pentonville prison. 1990 – Appearing at Wembley Arena, London, Chris Rea on his ‘Road To Hell tour’. 1993 – R.E.M. played a Greenpeace Benefit show at the 40 watt Club, Athens, Georgia, for 500 people. The show was recorded on a solar powered mobile recording studio. 1994 – Nirvana plays the Seattle Arena. It is the band’s last U.S. show. 1994 – Oasis started recording their debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’, at Monrow studios in South Wales. 1998 – According to the London Times, two brass busts have been stolen from the grounds of George Harrison’s mansion in Oxfordshire. 2002 – Jon Lee, drummer with successful rock outfit Feeder, is found dead at his home in Miami. He is 33. 2003 – Rock wildman Ozzy Osbourne renews his vows with wife Sharon at the Beverly Hills Hotel. During the ceremony, a $15,000 diamond necklace the couple were due to raffle off is pilfered by talent agent Renee Tab. 2004 – The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson becomes a dad when his wife, actress Kate Hudson, gives birth to a boy in Los Angeles. 2004 – Still on the mend from a near-fatal ATV crash, Ozzy Osbourne cancels his forthcoming UK tour, which was due to kick off in February. 2011 – Kings of Leon refused to let Prince Harry win a table tennis match The ‘Sex on Fire’ group’s drummer Nathan Followill thinks the 26-year-old royal ‘ is ‘cool’ but his competitive nature came to the forefront when they recently met at London’s The O2.

Today in rock history 6th January

1946 – Syd Barrett (Roger Barrett) of Pink Floyd is born. He names the group after bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. 1947 – Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny is born in Wimbledon, England. Her definitive folk vocals also graced records by Led Zeppelin. 1953 – Born on this day, Malcolm Young, guitar, AC/DC. 1958 – Gibson guitars launched it’s ‘Flying V’ electric guitar. 1964 – The Rolling Stones kick off their first headlining tour in Harrow, England. Support comes from American girl group the Ronettes, Marty Wilde, and the Swinging Blue Jeans. 1968 – Born on this day, Muzz Skillings, bass, Living Colour. 1968 – The Beatles sit at No. 1 in the album charts with Magical Mystery Tour. 1970 – Crosby Stills Nash & Young made their UK live debut at the Royal Albert Hall, London. 1971 – In Vancouver, Neil Young performs on Canadian soil for the first time since he left his homeland to join Buffalo Springfield in 1965. 1975 – Pink Floyd begin recording their album-long tribute to Syd Barrett, Wish You Were Here, on the former front man’s 29th birthday. 1975 – A thousand Led Zeppelin fans, who had been waiting for tickets to go on sale at the Boston Gardens for a February show, riot and cause $30,000 worth of damage to the venue’s lobby. Mayor Kevin White cancels the concert. 1977 – EMI Records dropped The Sex Pistols, giving the band £40,000 ($68,000) to release them from their contract. 1987 – Eric Clapton started what became an annual event by playing six shows at the Royal Albert Hall, London. 1990 – Phil Collins started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘…But Seriously’. 1993 – Bass guitarist Bill Wyman announces that he has officially left the Rolling Stones. The group last toured together in 1990. 1993 – David Bowie reportedly lost over £2.5 million ($4.25 million) in unpaid royalties to an Italian Mafia-linked bootleg fraud. 1997 – Two bronze busts worth £50,000 were stolen from a garden at George Harrison’s estate in Henley-on- Thames, Oxfordshire. Thieves had climbed a 10- foot-wall and cut the figures of two monks from their stone plinths. 1999 – Alanis Morissette spends the day working at an Ottawa soup kitchen. 2001 – Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour won the right to his dot com name. Dave took legal action in his battle to reclaim davidgilmour.com from Andrew Herman who had registered the URL and was selling Pink Floyd merchandise through the site. 2003 – The estate of George Harrison sue a Staten Island doctor who they allege forced the late Beatle to sign a guitar while he was critically ill with cancer. The estate seeks possession of the autographed instrument. 2004 – Foo Fighter Dave Grohl goes into a Los Angeles studio with Garbage to lay down drums for the track “Bad Boyfriend,” due to appear on the band’s as-yet untitled fourth album. 2009 – Ron Asheton, guitarist for The Stooges is found dead. The cause of death is unknown but suspected to be a heart attack. 2011 – New records… Old Acts… like Pink Floyd help earn 14% gain for Vinyl record sales from last year. Reporting a 2.8 million units sold.

Today in rock history 5th January

1950 – Chris Stein of Blondie is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. 1954 – Elvis Presley cuts a 10-minute long demo tape at Memphis Recording Studio. 1962 – The Beatles release their single “My Bonnie.” When a fan in Liverpool asks record shop owner Brian Epstein for the single, Epstein further investigates the Fab Four and has his life changed: he becomes their manager. 1963 – In today’s issue of Billboard an interview with Leonard Chess finds the Chicago-based label boss opining that “as it stands today, there’s virtually no difference between rock ‘n’ roll, pop and rhythm & blues. The music has completely overlapped.” 1963 – Bob Dylan flies from London to Rome in pursuit of his girlfriend Suze Rotolo. He’s accompanied by the folksinger Odetta. Once in Italy, Dylan discovers that Rotolo has returned to the United States. He scores a gig at a folk club in Rome and writes both “Girl from the North Country” and “Boots of Spanish Leather.” 1966 – The Beatles record overdubs onto the film The Beatles at Shea Stadium. That night, John Lennon goes nightclubbing with ’50s rocker P.J. Proby. 1967 – During The Beatles Sgt Pepper sessions at Abbey Road in London, Paul McCartney recorded his vocal track on ‘Penny Lane.’ 1977 – Led Zeppelin rehearse at Emerson Lake & Palmer’s studio in preparation for a North American tour. 1978 – The Sex Pistols make their U.S. debut at the Great Southeast Music Hall in Atlanta. 2000 – Former Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford announces that he’s written his old band-mates a letter of conciliation, fanning rumors of a reunion. 2001 – The Kentucky Court of Appeals reverses the conviction of a woman arrested for wearing a Marilyn Manson T-shirt. She was accused of harassment because her shirt bore the legend, “I am the God of ****. 2003 – Green Day’s lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after being stopped in California speeding in a black BMW convertible. He failed a breath test and was taken to Berkeley county jail and was later released on $1,053 (£657) bail. 2005 – Danny Sugerman, longtime manager of the Doors, dies in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer. He is 50.