March 17th

2006: The Smiths turned down a $5 million offer to reunite as headliners of the Coachella Festival in California.

2005: Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant was the keynote speaker at the South By Southwest Music Festival and Conference in Austin, TX. While giving his speech, Plant was presented with his lifetime achievement Grammy by Recording Academy president Neil Portnow as he was unable to attend the Grammy Awards the previous month.

2004: The Kinks’ singer Ray Davies received his medal as a Commander of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace for his services to the music industry.

2003: Dire Straits’ singer-guitarist Mark Knopfler was hospitalized after his motorcycle collided with a car outside of London. Knopfler suffered a broken collarbone and six broken ribs.

1998: Van Halen released their last studio album to date, Van Halen III, which would be their only album with former Extreme singer Gary Cherone singing for them. It went on to become their first album not to go platinum.

1990: Blind Faith & Traffic bassist Ric Grech died after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 43 years old.

1971: Peter Gabriel married his longtime girlfriend Jill Moore. They would have two daughters together before their divorce in 1987.

Birthdays:
John Sebastian-singer & guitarist for The Lovin’ Spoonful born in 1944
Scott Gorham-guitarist for Thin Lizzy born in 1951
Billy Corgan-singer & guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins born in 1967