4 Reasons December 8th Is An Important Day In Rock History [PHOTOS]

I'm sure that all of you know these things, but it never hurts to take a moment and reflect on some monumental events in rock, which took place on December 8th, which shaped the genre indefinitely. Let's take a look at some of rock's most pivotal moments that occurred on this day.

1. December 8th, 1943 - Jim Morrison is born.

On this day in 1943, Doors frontman Jim Morrison was born in Florida. The Doors created a sound that has yet to be replicated or debated. The coolest thing about Jim was that he never cared what anyone thought about his behavior (on stage or off), and always saw life through his own "door of perception". What a poet too! Sadly, he would die at only 27 in Paris.

2. December 8th, 1980 - The death of John Lennon.

This is just too sad to sum up into a paragraph, but I'll do my best - on December 8th, 1980, John Lennon was shot by Mark David Chapman in New York City. His work with The Beatles speaks for itself (hell, in my view, they made the electric guitar popular), but at this point in his life, John was becoming a solo star. Let's not forget his activism either.

In 2000, 20 years later, a plaque to commemorate the anniversary was placed in Liverpool.

3. December 8th, 1984 - Vince Neil's car accident.

Sadly, this event killed Hanoi Rocks' Nick "Razzle" Dingley, their drummer, in California. Long story short - don't drink and drive. Vince regrets it to this day. Who knows what Hanoi Rocks could've been if Razzle were still alive.

4. December 8th, 2004 - The death of Dimebag Darrell.

Yeah, this one still brings a tear to my eye. I remember it like it was yesterday. We all know the story. We've all debated as to who was responsible for it happening. Was is a failure on security's part? Was Phil to blame because he left Pantera? (supposedly that's what the "fan" was angry about). Or, did our mental health system fail this "fan" horribly? There's no answer here. Only a hard lesson learned.

Dime's death changed how concert security was handled in America. It's the reason going to shows sometimes feels like walking into a airport anymore.

I can't imagine what it must've been like to be Vinnie Paul, and watch your own brother be shot, right in front of your face. So heartbreaking.

No one has a bad word to say about this dude - absolutely no one in rock at all.

Vinnie has since carried on making kickass music with HELLYEAH! Recently, their cover of Phil Collins' "I Don't Care Anymore" included some of Dimebag's guitar parts that were never used. Vinnie constantly looks for ways to make Dime part of what he's doing.

Anyway, Dime wouldn't want us sulking - he'd want us chugging some black tooth grin!! \m/ GETCHA PULL!

There you have it folks. Which memory tugs at your heart strings the most?