Why July 1st Matters In Rock History

MONTE CARLO, MONACO:  US musician Jon Bon Jovi (L) with band (left to right, Tico Torres, Hugh McDonald, David Bryan) arrives May 25, 2000 at the Sporting Club of Monte Carlo for the Laureus Sports Awards, an annual televised ceremony to acknowledge the best sporting achievements of the year. (Photo credit should read PATRICE LAPOIRIE/AFP via Getty Images)
MONTE CARLO, MONACO: US musician Jon Bon Jovi (L) with band (left to right, Tico Torres, Hugh McDonald, David Bryan) arrives May 25, 2000 at the Sporting Club of Monte Carlo for the Laureus Sports Awards, an annual televised ceremony to acknowledge the best sporting achievements of the year. (Photo credit should read PATRICE LAPOIRIE/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s July 1st and here are some reasons why this day matters in rock history:

- In 1983, a New Jersey-based group called Bon Jovi signed to Mercury Records.

- In 1998, the White Zombie song “Thunder Kiss ‘65” was played at ear-splitting levels for four hours straight from a van parked outside of Barbra Streisand’s Malibu villa to ward off paparazzi during the singer’s wedding to actor James Brolin. 

- In 2003, Kid Rock ended his relationship with Canada's Pam Anderson.

- In 1966, Janis Joplin moved into Big Brother & The Holding Company’s house in California’s San Geronimo Valley. 

- In 1968, The Band released their debut album, Music from Big Pink, which included the group’s first hit single, “The Weight.”

- And in 2008, Crüe Fest kicked off in West Palm Beach, Florida. The inaugural tour featured Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx: A.M. and Trapt. 

And that’s what happened today in rock history.

Original article by Dave Basner at iHeartRadio