New Year’s Eve Rock History!!

From New Year’s Eves Past...

NEW YORK - MAY 27: Rick Allen of Def Leppard performs during the Toyota Concert Series on the Today Show May 27, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Rick Allen NEW YORK - MAY 27: Rick Allen of Def Leppard performs during the Toyota Concert Series on the Today Show May 27, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)

By Jill Munroe

Happy Birthday Andy Summers (English Guitarist for the Police)

SANTA MONICA, CA - MARCH 25: Musician and photographer Andy Summers attends the premiere of "Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police" at Laemmle Royal Theatre on March 25, 2015 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Premiere Of "Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police" SANTA MONICA, CA - MARCH 25: Musician and photographer Andy Summers attends the premiere of "Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police" at Laemmle Royal Theatre on March 25, 2015 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) (Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

1962 - Bob Dylan

During his first visit to the UK Bob Dylan played at the King And Queen pub in London. Dylan had arrived in the UK on 17th Dec after British TV director Philip Saville had heard Dylan perform in Greenwich Village, and had invited him to take part in a BBC television drama: The Madhouse On Castle Street.

1973 - AC/DC

Australian band AC/DC made their live debut when they appeared at Chequers Bar in Sydney.

AC/DC LONDON - 1st AUGUST: Australian rock band AC/DC posed in a studio in London in August 1979. Left to right: Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, Angus Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns) (Fin Costello)

1979 - David Bowie

David Bowie performed an acoustic version of ‘Space Oddity’ on the UK TV ‘Kenny Everett New Year’s Show’. Bowie was also seen on the Dick Clark TV show in the US on this date, on his Salute To The Seventies.

1982 - Bruce Springsteen

Max’s Kansas City in New York City closed down. The venue had been a launching pad for such artists as The New York Dolls, Bruce Springsteen and The Velvet Underground.

1984 - Rick Allen

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen crashed his Corvette Stingray, on the A57 outside Sheffield, Allen lost his left arm in the accident. Allen was on his way to a New Year’s Eve party at his family’s home when a Jaguar passed him. The driver had been egging Allen on and would not allow him to pass. In his rage to pass this driver, he did not see a turn up ahead and lost control of his car. He was thrown from the car, with his left arm severed due to the seatbelt not being properly fastened.

1991 - Nirvana

Pearl Jam, Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers all appeared on the same bill at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, California.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc


1996 - Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney became a Sir after he was listed in the Queen’s New Year’s Honors List. When receiving the award McCartney dedicated his knighthood to fellow Beatles George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon and the people of Liverpool.

2005 - John Lennon

The John Lennon song Imagine was voted the nations favorite song a quarter of a century after his death. A UK radio station conducted the poll of 7,000 listeners. The Beatles were voted into second and third place with ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Let It Be.’

2012 - John Lennon & Eric Clapton

A draft of a letter John Lennon written to Eric Clapton on Sept. 29, 1971 asking him to collaborate on a musical project sold for $35,000 at an auction. Still in pristine condition, the letter was originally estimated to fetch somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000.