On This Day
We take you back into classic rock’s history and legacy to note important events that happened on this date as well as celebrate the birthdays of major musical artists and mourn their passing.
April 6, 2016: Merle Haggard Death at 79, on His Birthday
A genuine outlaw throughout his life and career, he was one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the history of country music.
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April 6, 2017: Don Rickles Mourned by Hollywood
The insult comic outlived virtually all of his peers. When he died at 90 in his Los Angeles home, his fellow comics and friends mourned him
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April 5, 1998: Drummer Cozy Powell Dies in Car Crash
The drummer who played with Jeff Beck, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Emerson and Lake, and so many others, died on this day. RIP to a master musician
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When The Beatles Held the Top 5 Chart Spots
No other artist had done it before and none has since. Not only did the Beatles own the top 5, but they had 7 other singles in the Hot 100!
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April 2, 1977: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ Hits Number One
After years as a highly respected English blues band, they made some changes and went pop. Soon, they owned the top of the chart.
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Apr 2, 2019: Marvin Gaye Stamp Issued on 80th Birthday
The U.S.P.S. called the ”Prince of Soul” “one of the most influential music performers of his generation.” The legend was shot and killed on April 1, 1984
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Apr 1, 2022: C.W. McCall, Who Had a #1 Novelty Hit, ‘Convoy,’ During CB Craze, Dies
Bill Fries, a creative director for a prominent advertising agency, created the character for an award-winning TV ad campaign for a bread company.
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April 1, 1984: Marvin Gaye Killed By His Father
Few stories in popular music history are more shocking. On This Day, after numerous arguments, the soul legend’s father shot his own son dead.
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Mar 31, 1958: Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny B. Goode’ Released
He “could play a guitar just like a-ringin’ a bell” but he was no country boy. How one of the great rock ‘n’ roll anthems came to be
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Mar 30, 2022: Jim Croce Receives Historical Marker in Pennsylvania
The barn where he wrote his songs, including “Time in a Bottle,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” has been marked
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