This Day in Rock History: June 22
Pearl Jam, Disturbed, John Lennon, and Cyndi Lauper are all notable names in the world of rock, and each has had significant moments that occurred on June 22. From murder…
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Eddie Vedder, Matt Cameron and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam perform on stage as American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, in Hyde Park on July 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Pearl Jam, Disturbed, John Lennon, and Cyndi Lauper are all notable names in the world of rock, and each has had significant moments that occurred on June 22. From murder trials to momentous concerts, this date has seen its fair share of important moments throughout rock history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
June 22 has seen songs climb the charts and earn their place in rock music history:
- 1990: Phil Collins' song "Do You Remember?" hit its peak at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed on the chart for a total of nine weeks.
- 1999: Pearl Jam's song "Last Kiss" reached at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed there for only one week before being overtaken by the pop hit "Livin' La Vida Loca."
- 2008: Disturbed's album Indestructible made it to No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200. It was the group's third consecutive No. 1 release on the list.
Cultural Milestones
The events of June 22 remind us that rock isn't just about the music — it's about the people, their stories, and the marks (good or bad) they left on the world:
- 1953: Cyndi Lauper was born as Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper. Her pop rock/dance rock hits, such as "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and "True Colors," helped make this genre popular in the 1980s.
- 1981: Mark Chapman pleaded guilty to the murder of John Lennon. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison and has been denied parole 12 times, with the most recent denial in 2024.
- 1990: Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson, the founding member of the Del-Vikings, passed away after a battle with cancer. The Del-Vikings were known for being one of the first racially integrated rock 'n' roll groups in the 1950s.
Notable Recordings and Performances
June 22 was filled with moments that rock fans still talk about today:
- 1973: David Bowie released "Life on Mars?" as a single after it originally debuted on his album Hunky Dory. A music video would later be released featuring Bowie in a pale blue suit and his classic bold makeup.
- 1979: Queen released their double live album Live Killers. It featured songs from the European leg of their Jazz Tour, which took place earlier that same year.
- 1990: Billy Joel filmed two consecutive concerts at the Yankee Stadium, which became known as Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium. Many believe this is one of the greatest concert films of all time.
June 22 has seen moments of triumph, tragedy, and transformation in rock history. From courtroom headlines to show-stopping concerts, it's a date that continues to prove how deeply rock music is woven into the fabric of culture and memory.
