Paul Hewson begins his life in Dublin. Taking his professional name from a hearing aid retailer he’s known as U2‘s Bono Vox. 1960
The Rolling Stones conduct their first ‘official’ recording session at London’s Olympic Studios with manager Andrew Loog Oldham producing. They record their version of ‘s “Come On.” The Chuck Berry song is the group’s first single though it’s initially rejected by Decca Records who call the track “dreadful.” It eventually peaks at #21 in the U.K. 1963
“Rio,” Duran Duran’s sophomore album, is released worldwide. Sound quality issues stall the album. But with the problems solved it is re-issued the following November. The double platinum set peaks at #6 on the Billboard 200 and remains on the chart for 129 weeks. 1982
Twisted Sister release their third studio album “Stay Hungry,” which sells over three million copies in the U.S., thanks in no small part to the hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” 1984
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Guitarist, singer, songwriter and Traffic co-founder, Dave Mason, is born in Worcester, England. Mason’s best-known song, “Feelin’ Alright,” was recorded by Traffic in ’68 but turned into a major hit a year later by Joe Cocker. 1946
Jay Ferguson has a birthday. He was the lead singer for Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne before going solo (“Thunder Island” and “Shakedown Cruise”). 1947
Sex Pistol’s Sid Vicious (John Simon Ritchie) is born. 1957
Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones gets busted for unlawful possession of drugs. Interestingly, the bust occurs just as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are being formally charged for drug possession. It’s going to be a long year for the Stones. 1967
Filter frontman Richard Patrick enters the world. 1968
Metallica, with guitarist Dave Mustaine out and Kirk Hammet in, begin recording “Kill ‘Em All.” Originally called “Metal Up Your Ass,” it was renamed when their label, Megaforce, faced objections from a distributor. Bassist Cliff Burton’s reaction was “Kill ‘em all.”1983
Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee marries Heather Locklear. Yikes. 1986
Weezer issue their self-titled debut (aka “Blue Album”). The set has “Undone-The Sweater Song” and “Buddy Holly.” 1994
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler receives an honorary doctorate degree in music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He also gives the commencement address. 2003
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is released from an Auckland, New Zealand, hospital, two days after undergoing brain surgery following a reported fall while on vacation in Fiji. “[Thanks to] the doctors and the beautiful ladies who make painful nights less painful,” says the guitarist in a statement. “I hope I wasn’t too much of a pain in the arse.” He probably was but that’s Keith. 2006
Great White’s former tour manager, Daniel Biechele, is sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the February ’03 blaze that killed 100 people at a Rhode Island club. The 29-year-old Biechele faced involuntary manslaughter charges for igniting the pyrotechnics that caused the deadly fire. He was handed a 15-year term but the judge then suspended 11 of those years. 2006
A British tribunal rules against Police frontman Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler. A sexual-discrimination suit was initiated by their former chef. The ruling labels Styler’s treatment of Jane Martin “shameful” and decrees that the then-pregnant employee was unlawfully dismissed by the couple. Styler doesn’t buy it calling the ruling an “unjust and unfair attack on Sting and me.” 2007
Kid Rock makes a donation to a Boy Scout troop from Oviedo, FL., who had their equipment stolen the previous week. A trailer and camping gear was taken, jeopardizing a planned summer expedition to Tennessee. “I will cut them a check for the difference and hopefully (that) will allow the boys to make their trip,” writes Rock in an e-mail. 2008
Rob Zombie’s “Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser” tops the Billboard Rock and Hard Rock Chart. 2016
In This Moment’s ‘12 album “Blood” is certified gold for sales of half a million units by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America). 2017
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready receives the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his commitment to helping others in the addiction recovery process during the MusiCares Concert For Recovery in Seattle. 2018
The Beatles controversial ‘butcher block’ cover for the “Yesterday And Today” album is auctioned for $234,000 to an anonymous U.S. collector through Julien’s Auctions. The album, once owned by John Lennon and signed by Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, shows The Beatles in blood-splattered butcher’s smocks with chopped up doll parts strewn about. The album was almost immediately recalled after its release in ’66 and replaced with a more conventional cover. Though every original album cover was supposed to have been destroyed there are thought to be a number of copies still in existence. 2019
The Agonist calls it quits after two decades together. “Much deliberation and care has been put into making this decision, and unfortunately, given the circumstances, this is the conclusion that makes the most sense for the band and us as individuals,” writes the Canadian Metal band in a statement. 2023
