Today in rock history 28th May

1910 – Born on this day, T- Bone Walker, US blues guitarist, influenced Albert Collins, BB King, Buddy Guy, Freddy King.

1917 – Born on this day, Papa John Creech – violinist with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna

1945 – John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival is born in Berkeley, Calif.

1949 – Born on this day, Wendy O. Williams – singer with The Plasmatics

1963 – During a UK tour supporting Roy Orbison, The Beatles played at the Gaumont Cinema in Worcester.

1964 – The BBC received over 8,000 postal applications for tickets for The Rolling Stones appearance on Juke Box Jury.

1964 - Marianne Faithful records the Mick Jagger / Keith Richards tune "As Tears Go By", accompanied by future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass.

1969 – Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull were arrested at their London home and charged with possession of cannabis, They were released on £50 ($85) bail.

1973 -  The Faces’ bassist Ronnie Lane departed from the group & formed a new group Slim Chance.

1976 -  The Allman Brothers Band broke up for the first time after Gregg Allman testified against a road manager accused of drug trafficking.

1977 – Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers played together for the first time when they performed as part of Mike Howletts band, Strontium 90 at the Circus Hippodroms, Paris.

1977  - Bruce Springsteen reached a settlement with former manager Mike Appel, which freed him to enter the recording studio. Their legal entanglements prevented him from recording.

1982 – Promoter Bill Graham staged a special Vietnam Veterans benefit concert in San Francisco starring The Jefferson Starship, The Grateful Dead and Country Joe.

1983 – The four day US Festival ’83’ took place in California, featuring The Clash, U2, David Bowie, The Pretenders, Van Halen, Stray Cats, Men At Work, Judas Priest, Stevie Nicks and Ozzy Osbourne. Over 750,000 fans attended the festival.

1988 – Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler married second wife Teresa Barrick in her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1990 – Mitch Mitchell former drummer with Jimi Hendrix took out a High Court action against Private Eye magazine over an allegedly defamatory item.

1995 – Hootie & the Blowfish started a four-week run at No.1 on the US album charts with ‘Cracked Rear View’. The album went on to sell over 15m copies.

1996 – Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan was rushed to Cedars Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles after an apparent drug overdose.

2003 – Paul McCartney announces that he and his wife Heather Mills are expecting their first child later in the year.

2004 – Guitarist from 80’s glam band Enuff Z’ Nuff Derek Frigo died of a drug overdose aged 36

2007 – The Police kicked off their 152 show Reunion Tour at General Motors Place in Vancouver, Canada in front of 22,000 fans.

2012 – “Yellow Submarine” the animated Beatles movie was restored and re-released.

Today in rock history 27th May

1948 – Born on this day, Pete Sears, Jefferson Starship

1957 – The Buddy Holly & the Crickets hit “That’ll Be the Day” is released.

1957 – Born on this day, Eddie Harsch, keyboards, The Black Crowes

1964 – Eleven boys are suspended at a Coventry school for having hairstyles like Mick Jagger.

1966 – Born on this day, Sean Kinney, Alice In Chains

1971 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Brown Sugar,” The Rolling Stones.

1977 – The Sex Pistols single ‘God Save The Queen’ was released in the UK. Banned by TV and radio, high street shops and pressing plant workers refused to handle the record. It sold 200,000 copies in one week and peaked at No.2 on the UK charts.

1988 – Def Leppard kicked off the third leg of their North American Hysteria world tour at George M. Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska.

1988 - The first U.S. Monsters of Rock tour kicked off at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, WI. Van Halen were the headliners & the bill also included the Scorpions, Metallica and Dokken.

1994 -  The Eagles kicked off their “Hell Freezes Over” reunion tour with a five night stand at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA. The tour lasted for over two years.

1997 – During a UK tour Marilyn Manson appeared at Rock City, Nottingham.

1997 – Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was left with cuts and bruises after a scuffle with a youth at the Tower Thistle Hotel in east London. Members of the band had been drinking at the bar when the fight broke out.

1999 – Winners at the Ivor Novello song writing awards included Rod Stewart who won a Lifetime Achievement Award,

1999 – B.B. King, Susan Tedeschi, and Keb’Mo’ capture multiple W.C. Handy Awards at the Blues Foundation’s ceremony at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.

1999 - Rush became the first rock band to receive a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame in Toronto.

2000 – Paula Yates was awarded £400,000 ($680,000) in an out-of-court settlement from her boyfriend Michael Hutchence fortune.

2006 – For the first time in their 22-year career, Red Hot Chili Peppers score a No. 1 album on The Chart Toppers 200 for “Stadium Arcadium”

2008 – Sir Paul McCartney was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Yale University in the United States. Yale’s president, Richard Levin, said; The former Beatle had awakened a generation, giving a fresh sound to rock and roll and to rhythm and blues.

2017 - Gregg Allman, guitarist and keyboard player for The Allman Brothers Band died due to complications from liver cancer at the age of 69.

Today in rock history 26th May

1940 – The Band’s Levon Helm is born in Marvell, Ark.

1944 - Verden Allen-keyboardist for Mott the Hoople is born

1948 – Stephanie Lynn “Stevie” Nicks is born in Phoenix, Arizona.

1967 - The Beatles masterpiece, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was released in the UK, one week before its American debut.

1969 -  John Lennon & Yoko Ono begin an eight day bed-in in room 1742 of The Hotel La Reine in Montreal to promote world peace.

1970 - George Harrison begins recording his landmark album "All Things Must Pass" at EMI's Abby Road studios.

1972 - Mott the Hoople, on the verge of splitting up were offered two new songs by David Bowie, “Suffragette City” & “All the Young Dudes”. They would record “All the Young Dudes”, which would be their commercial breakthrough.

1973 -  Deep Purple released “Smoke on the Water” which went on to peak at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.

1976 - On a transatlantic British Airways flight, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page & Robert Plant got drunk and verbally harassed other first class passengers, including actors Dudley Moore and Telly Savalas.

1993 - Singapore lifted a ban on music by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Chicago and Credence Clearwater Revival.

1994 – Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley secretly wed in the Dominican Republic.

1999 – The British punk revivalist band Manic Street Preachers refuse to play a concert to mark the opening of Wales’ parliament because Queen Elizabeth II is present.

2000 – Drummer Tommy Lee was jailed for five days for drinking alcohol. Lee appeared in front of a LA court charged with violating his probation by consuming alcohol, an act that directly contravenes the terms of his parole.

2001 – Appearing at Ozzfest, Milton Keynes Bowl, England were Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Tool and Papa Roach. Tickets cost £32.50 ($55.25).

2002 – The first episode of ‘At Home With The Osbournes’ was shown on MTV in the UK.

2010 – Sum 41 had this bad news for fans: It’s unfortunate to say but we are forced to postpone some upcoming European Tour dates. Stevo was in a minor accident yesterday and is unable to get on a airplane to fly to Europe to perform. Anyone who knows our band, knows that touring is our life and is the primary reason we play music. We are completely and utterly bummed out and we all wish Stevo a speedy recovery.

2010 – The good news for Stone Temple Pilots is that the band’s first studio album in nine years will be the highest debut on the Billboard chart.

2013 - Paul McCartney visited Graceland and dropped a personal guitar pick on Elvis Presley's grave, saying it was "So Elvis can play in heaven."

Today in rock history 25th May

 1948 - Klaus Meine-singer for The Scorpions born in Germany

1950 – Born today, Robby Steinhardt-violinist for Kansas

1965 -  Dave Davies, guitarist for The Kinks stumbled onto drummer Mick Avory’s cymbal and was knocked unconscious during a concert in London.

1969 - The Who & Led Zeppelin performed on the same bill for the only time at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

1978 -  The Who performed a secret concert for fan club members at London’s Shepperton Film Studios for their documentary The Kids Are Alright. This would be Keith Moon’s last performance with The Who.

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.

1990 -  Lou Gramm departed Foreigner. Guitarist Mick Jones said Gramm’s departure was due to Gramm’s solo work conflicting with Foreigner’s commitments. Gramm later re-joined Foreigner in 1992 before departing again in 2003.

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 Centre. 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.

2005 - Domenic Troiano, guitarist for The Guess Who and The James Gang, died of prostate cancer at the age of 59.

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.

2013 - Marshall Lytle, bassist for Bill Haley And His Comets on their hits "Crazy Man, Crazy" and "Rock Around The Clock", died of lung cancer at the age of 79.

Today in rock history 24th May

1941 – Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) is born in Duluth, Minn.

1947 – Born today, Albert Bouchard-drummer for Blue Oyster Cult

1963 – Guitarist Elmore James, who influenced blues boom bands like Fleetwood Mac, dies in Chicago from a heart attack. More than 400 blues musicians attended his funeral.

1964 – On The Ed Sullivan Show tonight, the Beatles appear in a previously taped performance of “You Can’t Do That” from the set of A Hard Day’s Night.

1965 – John Lennon publishes his second volume of prose, A Spaniard in the Works, in England.

1968 – Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull are arrested on charges of marijuana possession. The same day the Stones release “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,”

1969 – Born today, Rich Robinson-guitarist for The Black Crowes.

1969 - Still riding high on the success of "American Woman", The Guess Who make their US Television debut on American Bandstand.

1979 – Patrons looking to buy tickets to Genesis’ benefit show at L.A.’s Roxy are surprised to find the band itself manning the box office. Proceeds from the show go to local hospitals.

1982 – Jefferson Starship, the Grateful Dead, Boz Scaggs, and Country Joe McDonald play San Francisco’s Moscone Center to raise money for the Vietnam Veterans Project.

1982 – Drummer Topper Headon leaves the Clash

1988 – OU812 (Van Halen) is released this day

1991 – Byrds co-founder and Rock `n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Gene Clark dies of a heart attack at the age of 46.

1994 -  Poison singer Bret Michaels lost control of his Ferrari & crashed into a telephone pole in Burbank, CA. Michaels broke his thumb, nose & collarbone, lost four teeth, cracked his sternum, & received a hairline fracture of his upper jawbone.

1998 – In an official ceremony backstage prior to Van Halen’s show at the CoreStates Spectrum, Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell proclaims May 24th Van Halen Day in Philadelphia. Each member of the band is given a personalized replica of the Liberty Bell.

1999 – An online audience watches David Bowie write and record the song “What’s Really Happening” in a Webcast.

2004 – Bruce Springsteen’s lawyers shut down an online auction of what purports to be the Boss’ birth certificate.

2005 – Rock act Motley Crue files suit against NBC, arguing the network violated the group’s free speech rights and hurt its concert and album sales.

2005 – Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne put the Beverly Hills house that featured in their reality hit The Osbournes up for sale.

2012 – Elton John cancels shows to “The Million Dollar Piano” Last weekend Elton was treated for respiratory infection that triggered the cancelations.

Today in rock history 23rd May

1934 – Robert Moog, inventor of the synthesiser, is born

1946 – Born on this day, Daniel Klein, bass, J Geils Band

1947 – Born on this day, Bill Hunt, Electric Light Orchestra

1963 – The Beatles, touring with Roy Orbison, performed at the Odeon Cinema, Nottingham, England.

1967 – Pink Floyd went into the studio and recorded ‘See Emily Play’, the group’s second single and written by original frontman Syd Barrett.

1967  - Philip James Selway, drums, Radiohead, is born

1970 – Paul McCartney’s debut solo album, ‘McCartney’, started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.

1970 – The Beatles album ‘Let It Be’ started a three week run at No.1 on the UK chart, featuring ‘The Long And Winding Road’, ‘Across The Universe’ and ‘Let It Be.’

1970 – The Grateful Dead gives its first performance outside the U.S., a four-hour set at the Hollywood Rock Festival in the U.K.

1973 – Jefferson Airplane were prevented from giving a free concert in Golden Gate Park when San Francisco authorities passed a resolution banning electronic instruments. The group later wrote ‘We Built this City’ about the ban.

1974 – George Harrison announced the launch of his own record label, ‘Dark Horse.’

1975 – Led Zeppelin started a three night run at Earl’s Court, London. Tickets cost £1 ($1.70) – £2.50 ($4.25).

1978 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their 117 show Darkness Tour at Shea’s Buffalo in Buffalo, New York.

1979 – Tom Petty files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing is partly the result of a dispute with Petty’s record label, which had been purchased by MCA.

1980 – Saxon and Tygers Of Pan Tang kicked off a 22-date UK tour at Bristol Coliston Hall. Tickets, £2.00-£3.00.

1987 – The Beastie Boys and Run DMC opened their UK tour in London.

1987 - Twelve former members of The Doobie Brothers reunited for a charity concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

1991 – Photographer Michael Lavine took what would be the publicity shots for Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ album at Jay Aaron Studios in Los Angeles.

1992 – A statement issued by Freddie Mercury’s attorneys stated that Mercury had bequeathed the majority of his estate (£10 million/$17 million) to his long-time friend Mary Austin.

2000 – “Binaural,” Pearl Jam’s long-awaited sixth studio album hits U.S. store shelves.

2000 – Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins announces that the Seattle-based rock group will officially break up at year’s end.

2003 – Moody’s Investor Service warns $55 million worth David Bowie Bonds may be downgraded due to the record industry’s sales slump.

2010 – The Rolling Stones re-release, “Exile On Main Street”, and hit the UK No. 1 Album chart for the first time in 16 years.

Today in rock history 22nd May

1950 – Bernie Taupin is born

1954 – Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) has his bar mitzvah.

1958 – Jerry Lee Lewis arrives in London with his 14 year old bride. At Heathrow Airport he is cornered by the press and Jerry answers all their questions concerning his new found Bride and 3rd cousin, Myra Lewis. The arrival was meant to kick off his British tour, but the controversial news so shocked the public that Jerry was forced to cancel the tour!

1962 – Jesse Valenzuela, Gin Blossoms, is born.

1965 – The Beatles hit No. 1 with “Ticket To Ride” on the US charts

1966 – Bruce Springsteen, at age 16, begins his songwriting career in the back of a ’61 Mercury en route to a recording studio. He and George Theiss, the lead singer in the Boss’ first band, the Castiles, co-write “That’s What You Get” and “Baby I.”

1968 - Cream earns their first Gold record with their second album, "Disraeli Gears", which includes "Sunshine of Your Love", "Strange Brew" and "Tales of Brave Ulysses".

1971 – The Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers” Hit No. 1 Today in the US . Artwork for the cover was create by Andy Warhol which consisted of a zipper that when unzipped revealed an image of Joallesandro’s Privates in some briefs and tight jeans. Fan frenzy proceeded believing that the image was really Mick Jagger’s. Also on the album is the “Tounge and Lip” trademarked design by John Pasche which has become the Rolling Stones Icon.

1979 -  Cheap Trick received their first Platinum album for At Budokan, which was initially only released in Japan & only released in the U.S. after import copies sold well.

2000  -  The ASCAP awarded Steely Dan the Founders Award, the ASCAP’s top honor for lifetime achievement in songwriting.

2001 - Motley Crue released their autobiography The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band. The book went on to become a New York Times Bestseller.

2002 – Southern California alt-metal band Alien Ant Farm’s tour bus is involved in a highway crash in Spain, resulting in the deaths of the hired bus driver and injuries to the band and crew.

2006 – Led Zeppelin and conductor/artistic director Valery Gergiev are awarded the 15th annual Polar Music Prize on by His Majesty King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden. The prestigious prize is presented during a nationally televised ceremony from Konserthuset, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert hall, where the annual Nobel Prize ceremony is held.

2009 – White Stripes drummer Meg White marries Jackson Smith. They tied the knot at ex-husband and bandmate Jack White’s Nashville home.

2011 - Former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent was arrested on assault charges at his home in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Vincent allegedly smacked his wife in the face & dragged her through a pile of broken glass. Cops also found four dead dogs at the scene.

2011 - Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer made his second appearance on The Simpsons where he appeared as himself.

2011 – The end of the world was Heralded in today when Spinal Tap’s drummer, Butch Bangin’, spontaneously exploded today which started a chain reaction that began with all drummers.

2012 - 64-year-old Gregg Allman told TV host Piers Morgan of his plans to marry wife number seven, a 24-year-old British lass.

2014 - Paul McCartney was hospitalized for a virus that caused him to cancel a string of dates in the Orient.