The Month In Rock: June

6/3 Jack White’s Third Marriage Goes Down The Tubes

White’s wife of four years, Olivia Jean, files for divorce, citing “inappropriate marital conduct.”

Jean, a singer/songwriter, also claims she is dependent on White’s income and has requested financial support, and that he maintain her on his life insurance policy as a beneficiary.

6/4 Bruce Dickinson Is “Tanking”

The Iron Maiden singer cruises around in a tank before the band’s headlining performance at the four-day Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. Dickinson waves a Swedish flag and a Union Jack (U.K.). “The Swedish Army lent us the ultimate Uber’,” explains Dickinson.

6/4 Lamb Of God Hit A Home Run

 The band makes an appearance at CarMax Park in their hometown for the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ game against the Erie SeaWolves.

Guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler toss out the ceremonial first pitch, and later, drummer Art Cruz and vocalist Randy Blythe sing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch.

6/5 Marilyn Manson Loses Again

Manson loses his bid to shut down a sexual assault lawsuit brought by his former assistant.

A California judge refuses to toss or trim the claims in Ashley Walters’ third amended complaint under a new California law that gives older sexual assault claims a two-year lookback window to move forward.

6/6 Sleep Theory’s “Words Are Worthless” Lands At #1… Again

“A violin-enhanced power ballad like only Sleep Theory could craft,” reads a press release regarding the #1 song on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.  

The video, which features the band in performance mode, boasts “a Goth noir vibe.”

“Words Are Worthless” follows “Stuck In My Head” and “Static” to the top of Mainstream Rock. All three songs are from the band’s debut album “Afterglow.”

“Afterglow” only reached #117 on the Billboard 200. But it landed in the Top 10 on the U.S. Top Album Sales and Top Hard Rock Albums charts.

6/6 Springsteen’s “Greatest Hits” Returns To The Billboard 200

The 1995 ‘Greatest Hits’ package re-enters the Billboard 200 at #192.

The album features hits like ‘Dancing In The Dark’ and ‘Streets Of Philadelphia,’ which earned Grammy and Academy Awards.

The chart return comes shortly after Springsteen’s 20-date North American tour, which successfully played major venues.

6/7 Rush Returns

Rush takes the stage at the Forum in L.A. to launch their “Fifty Something” reunion tour.

“We’re here to celebrate over 50 years of music that Alex (Lifeson), myself, and the great Neil Peart made together,” frontman Geddy Lee tells the audience. “We’re here to pay tribute to Neil.”

The performance marks Rush’s first concert since August 1st, 2015. That show also took place at the Forum, at the end of their “R40 Live Tour.”

The band’s revamped lineup has classic members Lee and Lifeson alongside drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold.

6/9 “A Screaming Life: Into The Superunknown With Soundgarden And Beyond,” Is Out

Written by Soundgarden co-founder Kim Thayil, the book travels from Soundgarden’s humble Grunge beginnings in Seattle’s beer-soaked Punk clubs to their revered status as Rock icons.

Thayil shares the story of how he and his Soundgarden bandmates faced the challenges on the road to originating their era-defining sound shaped by the diverse backgrounds of its creators. Thayil’s Indian heritage and founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto’s Japanese heritage added unique dimensions to the band’s identity, influencing not only their music but also their experiences in the music industry.

The book demonstrates the power music and how its creators transform culture.

6/10 “Stevie Knicks” T-Shirt Debuts

Taylor Swift pays tribute to Stevie Nicks at the NBA Finals game 4, where she sports a t-shirt that reads “Stevie Knicks” – a nod to the iconic Fleetwood Mac singer, as well as the New York Knicks, who ended up beating the San Antonio Spurs 107-106.

6/11 Sublime Singer Provides Update

Jakob Nowell tells Billboard that fans likely will not see another Sublime album with him following the just released “Until The Sun Explodes.” 
“I wish to carry the flag forward in different ways now,” says Jakob, who is the son of the band’s original singer Bradley Nowell.

John Fogerty

6/11 John Fogerty Honored

John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival/Solo) is the recipient of the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction and awards gala in New York City.

The Johnny Mercer Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. Fogerty was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2005

6/11 Gene Simmons/Paul Stanley Inducted

KISS’s Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York.

“What we’ve always put priority to was the band, trying to make the best music possible,” comments Stanley.

6/12 Lemmy Forever… And Ever

During the Download festival at Donington Park fans gather to celebrate Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister. The “Lemmy Forever” ceremony takes place onsite at Lemmy’s Lounge, where a miniature of Lemmy’s custom urn containing a portion of some of his ashes is enshrined.

The “Lemmy Forever” journey has seen Lemmy honored at Hellfest in France, Wacken Open Air in Germany and the Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood.

6/12 Tony Iommi Receives MBE

The Black Sabbath guitarist is recognized in the King’s Birthday Honours and is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to music and to charity.

“Music has been my life and I’ve been very lucky to share this journey with many amazing people and fans,” says Iommi.

6/12 Godsmack Introduces Another New Drummer

Former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini plays his first show with the Sully Erna-fronted band.  It’s at the Morton Amphitheater in Riverside, MO. 

“The Rise Of Rock” tour sees the abrupt departure of Wade Murff who left to join Black Veil Brides on their European tour (filling in for Christian “CC” Coma). Murff’s tenure with Godsmack lasted just over a dozen shows.

6/13 Pretty Reckless Rule Mainstream Rock

The Pretty Reckless reach #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with “When I Wake Up.” It’s the band’s ninth #1 on the survey and extends their record for the most Mainstream Rock Airplay #1s by a female fronted band.

6/13 Bruce Springsteen Center Opens

The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music on the campus of Monmouth University opens.

“Music always has a message. It tells you are not alone,” Springsteen says. “Whatever you’re feeling, whatever you’re thinking about, you are not alone.”

The center, located in West Long Branch, NJ, has exhibition galleries, research archives, immersive interactive experiences, a performance theater and a gift shop.

6/13 Springsteen’s Social Justice Award

Later in the day, Springsteen accepts the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award at New York’s BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Bono serves as the presenter. “I was off to being very good at being no good, but then that August (1975) Bruce Springsteen released “Born To Run,” and part of me stopped running,” states U2’s frontman.

Travis Barker

6/13 Travis Barker Bio Screened

“Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear,” a portrait of legendary Blink-182 drummer and producer makes its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival. The screening is followed by a special conversation with Barker.

Featuring appearances from collaborators, cultural icons and those closest to him, this is the story of the man behind the tattoos. A tribute to those who keep going when the music almost stops.

The documentary film later goes to Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.

6/14 Linkin Park Downloads A First

Linkin Park, with Emily Armstrong, becomes the first band with a female frontwoman to headline England’s Download festival.

Linkin Park previously played Download with the late Chester Bennington. Armstrong replaced Bennington when the band reformed in 2023.

6/15 “Rock For Ronnie’ Success

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund announces that the annual “Rock For Ronnie” concert held on 5/31/26 in L.A.’s Griffith Park raised more than $125,000. Lita Ford and Dio Disciples among others, performed.

Founded in memory of the late singer, the public charity has raised over $2 million for cancer research since its inception. 

6/15 Sheryl Crow Blasts Donald Trump

Following Trump’s White House birthday bash, which included a UFC fight the day before, Crow takes to Instagram: “What happened last night on the lawn of the White House was disgraceful and void of decency. Powerful, rich people filled the lawn to watch a violent sport. All while the average American cannot afford healthcare, gas, and cost of living.”

6/15 Type O Negative’s First Gold Single

Type O Negative’s “I Don’t Wanna Be Me” is certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) for accumulating 500,000 certified units.

The track is from the band’s sixth studio album, 2003’s “Life Is Killing Me,” and was released as a promotional single that same year.

Type O Negative previously landed a platinum album for 1993’s “Bloody Kisses” and a gold album for 1996’s “October Rust.”

The band effectively broke up after the passing of Peter Steele in 2010 from heart failure at the age of 48.

6/16 Skillet Crosses 4-Billion Streams

Skillet’s 6x-platinum anthem “Monster” surpasses 4-billion streams on Spotify.

Released in 2009, “Monster” was the second single from Skillet’s seventh studio album, “Awake,” which has gone double platinum (2,000,000 copies sold).

6/16 Roger Daltrey Is Honored By ASCAP

The Who’s singer receives the ASCAP Founders Award at the organization’s event in London.

Daltrey, the lead singer of The Who and solo artist is presented the award recognizing his legendary career.

Daltrey joined The Who in 1964. He launched his solo career in 1973 with a self-titled effort.

Parazaider, a founding member of Chicago, passes away from Alzheimers. “He had put up a good fight with Alzheimer’s and unfortunately it ended tonight,” Parazaider’s wife, JacLynn tells TMZ. A sax player Parazaider was a key member of the band’s brass/woodwind section before retiring in 2016.

6/17 Ozzy Statue Unveiled

A statue of the late Ozzy Osbourne is unveiled just prior to Hellfest in Clisson, France. The six-meter-tall statue was created by Philippe Pasqua, a French contemporary artist known for his paintings, sculptures and drawings.

Ozzy passed away in ’22.

6/18 Presidential Library Rocks

Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and U2’s Bono and The Edge are among the musical guests taking part in the grand opening ceremony for the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

The new Windy City landmark was built on the South Side of Chicago where the Obamas’ journey began. The 19.3-acre campus serves as both a museum and a presidential public library.

Exhibits include memorabilia from the Obamas’ time in the White House, stories of iconic moments from the President’s administration and interactive activities.

6/18 Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder Debuts “Better Believe”

Eddie Vedder, in partnership with the Chicago-based Guitars Over Guns, debut “Better Believe” live at the Obama Presidential Center dedication. 

The song was co-written by Vedder, Giselle Castro, Andre “Add-2” Daniels, Jeremiah Fristoe, Mason Harris, Michael “Myskie” Hightower, Naomi Owens, Joy Viltz, and Iya Waters. The Obama Foundation brought Vedder and Guitars Over Guns together for the project.

All royalties earned by Vedder and the song’s co-writers will benefit Guitars Over Guns, an arts-based youth development organization that uses music, mentorship, and the arts to empower young people and expand opportunities for their future.

6/19 Kirk Hammett’s Slip & Destroy

The Metallica guitarist falls from the stage after losing his footing during the band’s performance of the 1983 classic “Seek & Destroy” in Dublin, Ireland.

Hammett quickly recovers and carries on with the song before sharing a video on Instagram jokingly captioning “Slip & Destroy.”

6/20 “Who Will You Follow” Is #1

The song is off Evanescence’s “Sanctuary” album and is the band’s second #1 on the chart coming after last year’s “Afterlife.”

“It’s about the quest for what is real… For me, a lot of the album is the quest for humanity and being able to connect on what is real amidst a flood of lies being shoved in our face,” Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee explains. “Somebody else is literally profiting off of you believing a lie. It is just wild out there. I want us to find each other in reality, dark as it may be, because you can’t fix it until you face it.”

“Who Will You Follow” also topped the Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.

The song was produced by Zakk Cervini and Jordan Fish, with the former also serving as a co-writer with Lee.

6/20 Anthrax Drummer On The Mend

“I unfortunately injured my right hand and, following my doctor’s orders, I’ll be sitting out a handful of shows through July 4 to give it the proper time to heal,” says Charlie Benante.

“I’m incredibly grateful that (U.K. session drummer) Darby Todd will be stepping in behind the kit for these dates.”

6/20 Fan Dies At Goose Concert

Paul Kueker, a fan who traveled from Connecticut to catch Goose at their Madison Square Garden (NYC) show, tragically falls to his death during the concert.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn of the tragic event that occurred at tonight’s show,” writes the band on social media. “We extend our deepest sympathy to everyone affected.”

A city-wide power outage halts an Iron Maiden concert at La Défense Arena in Paris. The outage also impacts filming for the “Run For Your Lives” concert documentary.

When power is restored the concert is abbreviated due to curfew restrictions.

6/22 Record Industry Legend Dies

Clive Davis, the titanic music mogul who helped launch Janis Joplin. Bruce Springstteen, Aerosmith and many other artists to stardom. dies at age. 94.

“He was the Columbia Records uber executive who signed us to our first recording contract,” recalls Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton. “So grateful he heard our potential and brought us into the best record company of that era.”

6/25 “All You Need Is Love” Is Commemorated

Apple Corps Ltd., the label the Beatles founded, recognizes a fan-led initiative to commemorate the song’s message by declaring “Global Beatles Day.”

The song was recorded between June 14th–26th, 1967 at Olympic Sound Studios in London.

6/26 Rock n’ Roll Legend Subject Of Documentary

“Don’t Forget Me,” a documentary about Eddie Cochran, primarily known for the classic “Summertime Blues.” premieres at London’s Raindance Film Festival.

“We all wanted to be Eddie,” Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards says in the trailer. Cochran died in a London auto accident while on tour in 1960.

6/26 Adam Lambert Sings National Anthem

Lambert, who has been fronting Queen on tour since 2012, sings the U.S. national anthem before the New York Mets/Philadelphia Phillies game at Citi Field in New York. It’s part of the Mets’ annual Pride Night celebration. 

Commenting on the LGBT movement Lambert says: “I’m just really proud of all the progress we’ve made as a community. And yeah, the pendulum is swinging, and there’s some ups and some downs, and there’s some setbacks and obstacles, and that’s just how it’s gonna go. That’s life and history. But I think we’ve done really well.”

Lambert’s sixth full-length studio album, “Adam,” will arrive July 10th via his own label.

6/27 Shinedown Land On The Country Chart

Shinedown place its first entry on Billboard Country Airplay chart when the ballad “Searchlight” reaches #54 on the survey. The track is from Shinedown’s album “Ei8ht.”

The band debuted the song live during their late October 2025 appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

6/27 “The Dirt” Is Back!

Mötley Crüe’s biopic “The Dirt” screens at Regal theaters for a special one-night-only theatrical event.

“Concert movies, documentaries, and biographical films provide music lovers with big screen, behind-the-scenes access,” says Brooks LeBoeuf, senior vice president of U.S. content at Regal. The film originally appeared on Netflix.