History

On March 17, 1998, Van Halen's recording career hit its first (and so far only) road bump with the release of 'III,' an album that debuted their third singer, former Extreme vocalist Gary Cherone.

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The forthcoming 'Rainbow: Live in Munich 1977' offers fans a remastered -- and comprehensive -- glimpse of Ritchie Blackmore's band with Ronnie James Dio and Cozy Powell. In fact, the April 30 release is the only complete performance ever filmed from that era.

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On March 11, 1997, at the age of 54, former Beatles and Wings member Paul McCartney received one of Britain's highest honors when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. The centuries-old ceremony, officially bestows the title of "Sir" upon all fortunate enough to receive the designation.

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Quiet Riot took metal to the mainstream with the release of 'Metal Health' in March of 1983.

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Paul McCartney really is "mother nature's son," and he's got the arrest record to prove it. In early March of 1973, Scottish police made a discovery on the McCartney farm. It seems Sir Paul was growing marijuana plants on his property. An arrest was made, which would lead to a conviction for "illegal cultivation" and with it, a £100 fine (about $240 at the time).

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By 1972 the Byrds had pretty much become a vehicle for Roger McGuinn’s solo recordings. The original quintet began falling apart in 1966, after Gene Clark, who penned most of the group’s original early songs, left.

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On March 5, 1983, a scruffy crew of acne-afflicted youths going by the conspicuous band name of Metallica took a major step towards becoming the kings of thrash metal, when they mounted a stage for the first time alongside new bassist, Cliff Burton.

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On March 4, 1983, Thin Lizzy released what would end up being their final studio LP, 'Thunder And Lightning.' Two years earlier, band leader Phil Lynott brought in guitarist John Sykes to replace Snowy White and join the core band of Lynott, guitarist Scott Gorham and the ever-loyal Brian Downey on drums.

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Early in the morning of March 4, 1986, Richard Manuel, one of the most recognizable and emotive voices in rock and roll, was silenced by his own hands. After a concert at the 'Cheek to Cheek' lounge in Winter Park, Fla., by the Band, who had re-formed without guitarist Robbie Robertson, a depressed and drug-abused Manuel returned to his hotel room and ended his life by hanging himself.

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From the mocking cover art to the orchestral notes that grace the music to the loose thematic ties that link the songs, the Mothers of Invention’s ‘We’re Only in It for the Money’ turns ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ on its head. But it’s not so much the Beatles’ masterpiece -- which was released nine months before the Mothers album -- that Frank Zappa and his band of musical pranksters ruthlessly skewer; it’s the culture that fed and supported it.

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Did he or didn't he? The late Doors frontman Jim Morrison was charged with exposing himself before a stunned audience in Florida on March 1, 1969, though he vehemently denied the allegation. Bandmate Robby Krieger still says that no photographic evidences exists to prove it.

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Styx were one of the biggest American rock groups of the '70s, with a string of hit albums and songs including 'Lady,' 'Come Sail Away,' 'Renegade' and 'Blue Collar Man.' The group scored two of their biggest successes with concept albums -- 1977's 'The Grand Illusion,' and 'Paradise Theatre' in 1981. On Feb. 28, 1983, Styx released 'Kilroy Was Here,' their most ambitious concept album yet. But within a year, tensions in the group came to a breaking point, bringing the classic era of Styx to an end.

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