May 17 is a significant date in rock history. Over the years, it has seen hit songs, memorable albums, and unforgettable performances that have shaped the genre.
2008: Madonna achieved her seventh No. 1 album with *Hard Candy*, making her the second female artist in the U.S. with the most No. 1 albums.
2013: Daft Punk released their fourth and final studio album, *Random Access Memories*, which topped the charts in the U.S. and other countries. It was also their first album to debut at No. 1 in France.
Several cultural milestones also stand out:
1942: Blues legend Taj Mahal was born in Harlem, New York. He began his career in the 1960s, blending blues with jazz, reggae, and Caribbean music.
1965: Trent Reznor, founder of Nine Inch Nails, was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He started the band in 1989 and has sold over 20 million records, earning 13 GRAMMY nominations and a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
1967: The documentary *Don’t Look Back*, featuring Bob Dylan’s 1965 concert tour in England, premiered at the Presidio Theater in San Francisco.
1973: Josh Homme, founder of Queens of the Stone Age, was born in Palm Springs, California. He formed the band in 1996 and released their debut album in 1998.
2006: Paul McCartney and Heather Mills announced their separation after four years of marriage.
2012: Donna Summer passed away in Naples, Florida, after battling lung cancer. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame posthumously the following year.
Notable performances on May 17 include:
1963: The first Monterey Folk Festival took place in California, featuring artists like Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin.
1964: Bob Dylan performed his first major concert in the U.K. at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
2005: System of a Down released their fourth studio album, *Mesmerize*, on this day.
