Innovative inventions, ground breaking releases, landmark interviews, legendary live shows and timeless tours – follow rock history as it happened.

#OnThisDay July 1, 1979
Sony introduces the Walkman, the first portable audio cassette player. And the world has never been the same since. Allowing people to listen to music on the move, the device had a profound effect on 80s culture and beyond. Did you know that the word ‘Walkman’ entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 1986? Check out this advert from 1981…

#OnThisDay July 2, 1962
Jimi Hendrix – or, more precisely, Private James Marshall Hendrix – is honourably discharged from the 101st Airborne Paratroopers, following an accident during his 26th and final parachute jump when he broke his ankle.

#OnThisDay July 3, 1973
Slade maintain pole position in the UK charts for the second week running after ‘Skweeze Me Pleeze Me’ hits the top slot upon its release. Did you know it was their fifth No.1 single?

#OnThisDay July 4, 2002
George Michael takes part in a phone interview on news channel CNN to defend his new single, ‘Shoot The Dog’. Some American viewers are upset at the video’s portrayal of then-US president, George W. Bush.

#OnThisDay July 5, 1999
Eurythmics announce that they are to undertake their first world tour in over 10 years. Making the announcement from the Greenpeace ship, ‘Rainbow Warrior’, they also confirm that the tour’s profits will be donated to Amnesty International and Greenpeace.

#OnThisDay July 6, 1992
Bruce Springsteen kicks off the first show of a five-night stand at London’s Wembley Arena. Who was there and what are your memories of the shows?

#OnThisDay July 7, 1957
Elvis Presley scores his first UK No. 1 single with ‘All Shook Up’, which remains at the top for an incredible seven weeks. Did you know that the song is only one of nine that have a songwriting credit attributed to the King? And can you name the others without using Google?