1984 – Hanoi Rocks drummer Nick “Razzle” Dingley is killed in a car accident at the age of 24. Motley Crue’s Vince Neil was driving. He was later charged with and served time for manslaughter as a result of drunk driving.

December 11:

1976 - KISS guitarist Ace Frehley receives a near-fatal jolt when he touches light rail during a concert in Florida that had short-circuited.

2002 - David Lee Roth sues the other members of Van Halen, alleging they didn't include him in 1996 contract negotiation sessions with their record label.

2003 - AC/DC's album "Back In Black" is named the second best selling album of all time (surpassed only by Michael Jackson's "Thriller")   

December 16:

1979 - KISS plays their final concert of the "Dynasty" tour. It is Peter Criss' last show during his original tenure with the band.

1983 - Members of Iron Maiden and Def Leppard play against each other in a heavy metal soccer match.

2002 - A plane going from LA to New York while carrying members of Bon Jovi is forced to make an emergency landing after experiencing engine trouble shortly after take off. The same jet had just taken passengers, including Bon Jovi, from Sydney, Australia to LA without incident.

December 17:

1994 - Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora marries actress Heather Locklear.

2002 - The film "This Is Spinal Tap" is among those chosen by the National Film Registry for historical preservation. The Library of Congress chooses entries that they see as "culturally, historically or aesthetically valuable."

December 20:

1986 – Rock N’ Roll is on the defensive after two lawsuits are filed. In one, a woman says her 15-year-old daughter suffered hearing dysfunction and mental anguish after going to a Motley Crue concert. In the other, a 24-year-old woman says she suffered acoustic trauma after a David Lee Roth show.

December 22:

1987 – Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx overdoses on heroin.

December 26:

1981 – AC/DC hit number one on the album chart with “For Those About To Rock, We Salute You.”

December 28:

1973 – Black Sabbath releases the album “Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath.”

2009 – Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan dies of an accidental drug overdose. He was 28.

December 29:

1982 – KISS plays the first show of the “Creatures Of The Night” tour in Bismarck, North Dakota. This is the first live show featuring new guitarist Vinnie Vincent, the Egyptian Warrior.

1997 – Tommy Lee and wife Pamela Anderson Lee welcome son, Dylan Jagger.

December 31:

1973 – KISS makes it’s a stage debut, performing with Blue Oyster Cult and Iggy Pop at the Academy of Music in New York. At this show, Gene breathes fire for the first time and sets his hair on fire.

1974 – KISS appears on Dick Clark’s New Years Eve for the first time.

1983 – Van Halen releases the album “1984,” which included the hits “Jump,” “Panama” and “Hot For Teacher.”

1984 – Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen is injured in a car accident. His injuries are so severe he has to have his left arm amputated.

2004 – Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil causes a stir with NBC after using a choice four-letter word in wishing his bandmates a happy new year during the group’s performance on a special live edition of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”