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.

Jan 10, 1981: Natalie Cole Hits Rock Bottom in Hotel Fire

Compare some of your worst days with Natalie Cole on crack… and then marvel at some of the deceased artist’s best days that followed

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Jan 9, 2016: Lemmy Kilmister Funeral Features Eulogies by Son and Rob Halford

The Motörhead frontman died at his Los Angeles apartment just 2 days after being diagnosed with cancer. His son, Paul, and other rockers delivered elegant eulogies

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Jan 9, 1981: Specials Band Members Fined for Inciting Riot

Though the ska revival band never scored a US hit, they began their career with a slew of Top 10 UK singles. On this day, some members were fined for inciting a concert riot

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Jan 8, 2022: Michael Lang, Who Gave Us Peace, Love and Music With the 1969 Woodstock Festival, Dies

He was the principal force behind the legendary festival, that for generations past, present and future became known simply as Woodstock

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Jan 8, 2020: Buck Henry, ‘Get Smart’ Co-Creator With Mel Brooks, Dies

The legend also wrote the screenplay to the groundbreaking film, The Graduate, and hosted Saturday Night Live an astounding 10 times in its first 5 seasons

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Jan 8, 2021: Ed Bruce, Singer Who Wrote ‘Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,’ Dies

During his career, many songs that Bruce wrote and recorded were more successful when re-recorded by others, including Waylon and Willie who reached #1

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January 8, 2018: Eric Clapton Performs at Charity Gig

Slowhand performed for an intimate crowd of 1,700 in Guildford, U.K. at the annual Paul Jones and Friends concert, organized by the former Manfred Mann vocalist

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Remembering Def Leppard Guitarist Steve Clark

A fatal combination of alcohol along with legal and illegal drugs took the guitarist’s life while he was on a leave of absence from the band

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Remembering R Dean Taylor, Singer and Songwriter of ‘Indiana Wants Me’ Fame

As a Motown in-house songwriter, he co-wrote 2 hits for The Supremes, including the #1 “Love Child.” He later became the label’s 1st white artist to record a #1 song

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Jan. 7, 2020: Rush Drummer, Neil Peart, Dies of Brain Cancer

The band shared the news three days after his passing, “It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news”

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