This Day in Rock History: July 14
There have been some significant events on July 14, such as the storming of the Bastille by French revolutionaries. Decades later, a truck barreled through a pedestrian-filled street on Bastille…
There have been some significant events on July 14, such as the storming of the Bastille by French revolutionaries. Decades later, a truck barreled through a pedestrian-filled street on Bastille Day, once again making headlines. Rock music also made news on July 14, although perhaps not quite as drastically. Here are some important events in the history of rock music that occurred on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
July 14 brought some notable movement on the Billboard 200 chart:
- 2000: Creed, Kid Rock, and Papa Roach all had albums in the top 10 on the Billboard 200. Human Clay moved up to No. 6, The History of Rock moved down to No. 8, and Infest moved up to the No. 9 spot.
- 2005: Coldplay held their own on the Billboard 200. Their album X&Y moved to the No. 3 spot after reaching No. 1. By this time, it had spent four weeks on the Billboard 200.
- 2018: Panic! At The Disco was still hanging onto the top 10 on the Billboard 200. Their album Pray For The Wicked had peaked at No. 1 and dropped to the No. 9 spot.
Cultural Milestones
Beyond the charts, rock culture continued to flourish with moments that deepened fans' connections to iconic artists:
- 1987: Steve Miller, the lead vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Steve Miller Band, received his Hollywood Walk of Fame star at 1750 Vine Street.
- 2010: Billboard announced plans to turn Bob Geldof's global Live Aid concert into a movie titled When Harvey Met Bob.
- 2021: Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers sold a rare Beatles demo tape for £500. It contained three tracks and an alternative ending to "Fool on the Hill."
Notable Recordings and Performances
Some July 14 performances have become part of rock's living memory:
- 2001: The Eagles performed at Piazza Napoleone in Lucca, Italy. The setlist included hits such as "Seven Bridges Road," "New Kid in Town," and "Life in the Fast Lane."
- 2014: Johnny Winter performed at the Cahors Blues Festival in France. Two days later, he passed away, making this his final performance.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Other aspects of the music industry also made headlines:
- 1973: A drunk driver struck Clarence White, an American country and bluegrass guitarist and singer, after a show on July 14. He was known for his contributions to country rock during his time with the Byrds.
- 1980: Allen Klein, a former manager for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, began serving a two-month jail sentence for falsifying income tax documents and committing tax fraud.
From powerful chart climbs to personal and cultural moments that helped shape the industry, this day in rock history tells the story of resilience, legacy, and change. These milestones highlight rock's progress and show the many ways the genre continues to influence the music world today.
