July 9: What Happened On This Day In Rock History

July 9 has marked some unforgettable highs and sobering lows in rock history. From major releases and chart-topping singles to personal tragedies and pivotal moments in artists' careers, this date continues to leave its imprint on music fans around the world.
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Here’s What Happened in Rock Music on July 9
2020 – Haim topped the UK Albums Chart with Women in Music Pt. III. The LP later earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.
2015 – The Huffington Post published Jackie Fuchs' account of being raped at age 16 by Runaways manager Kim Fowley in 1976.
2015 – AC/DC's Phil Rudd was sentenced to 8 months of home detention in New Zealand for drug possession and threats to kill.
2015 – Transport for London banned posters for The Rolling Stones' Exhibitionism due to provocative artwork featuring the band's tongue logo.
2013 – Elton John revealed he had unknowingly performed with appendicitis and required urgent surgery, calling himself "a ticking time bomb."
2013 – Jon Bon Jovi donated $1 million to Hurricane Sandy relief in his hometown of Sayreville, New Jersey.
2012 – Bobby Rydell underwent successful kidney and liver transplants in Philadelphia at age 70. He returned to the stage just six months later.
2011 – Robert Plant performed a surprise set at a tribute concert for producer Pat Moran in Wales, delighting fans with Led Zeppelin classics.
2010 – Carlos Santana proposed to drummer Cindy Blackman on stage in Illinois after her solo. They married later that year.
2007 – Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays broke England’s new smoking ban by lighting up during a show, risking a fine.
2006 – Muse hit No.1 in the UK with Black Holes & Revelations, their second album to reach the top spot.
2004 – David Bowie canceled tour dates following emergency heart surgery to clear a blocked artery.
1999 – Elton John had a pacemaker fitted in London after health concerns forced him to cancel performances.
1995 – The Grateful Dead played their final show with Jerry Garcia at Soldier Field in Chicago. Garcia died a month later.
1990 – Mick Jagger’s marriage to Jerry Hall was annulled. A court ruled their 1990 Bali wedding was not legally valid.
1988 – Cheap Trick reached No.1 on the US charts with “The Flame,” their only chart-topping single.
1983 – The Police began an 8-week run at No.1 in the US with "Every Breath You Take." The track earned multiple Grammy Awards.
1977 – Elvis Costello quit his job at Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics to pursue music full-time.
1977 – Alan O'Day hit No.1 with "Undercover Angel," his only solo success but a milestone following his songwriting achievements.
1976 – Sex Pistols played third on the bill at London’s Lyceum Theatre alongside The Pretty Things and Supercharge.
1974 – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young launched a major reunion tour across 31 dates. Plans for a follow-up album fell apart.
1972 – Paul McCartney and Wings began their first European tour, traveling in a psychedelic double-decker bus.
1971 – David Bowie began recording sessions for The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, inspired by eccentric singer Vince Taylor.
1969 – The Beatles recorded "Maxwell's Silver Hammer." John Lennon returned to the studio, and Yoko Ono rested in a bed brought into Abbey Road.
1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience performed in Miami on a tour with The Monkees but dropped off early due to poor audience fit.
1962 – Bob Dylan recorded "Blowin' in the Wind" at Columbia Studios. The song would become one of his defining works.
1958 – Johnny Cash signed a long-term deal with Columbia Records, where he would release more than 60 albums.
1956 – Rock concerts were banned at Roosevelt Stadium, NJ, after Bill Haley’s shows were linked to unruly crowd behavior.
1956 – Dick Clark debuted as host of Bandstand on Philadelphia TV. It would later become American Bandstand, running until 1989.
1955 – Bill Haley & His Comets hit No.1 in the US with "Rock Around the Clock," launching rock and roll into the mainstream.
1954 – Elvis Presley recorded "Blue Moon of Kentucky" at Sun Studio, days after cutting "That's All Right."
Rock Birthdays: July 9
- 1964: Courtney Love (Hole) – Vocals
- 1946: Bon Scott (AC/DC) – Vocals
- 1947: Mitch Mitchell (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) – Drums
July 2: On This Day In Rock History
July 9 continues to stand as a landmark day in rock history. From classic recordings and career-defining performances to behind-the-scenes battles and inspiring comebacks, this date reveals the power, resilience, and evolution of rock music through the decades.
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