Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s April 8th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
Continuing on from yesterday’s headline, it was on this day, in 1994, that Kurt Cobain was found dead in his home by an electrician who was there to install a new security system. Cobain had taken his own life a few days prior.
We lost New York Dolls and Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren in 2010
Moving onto something less dreadful, birthdays! We have Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, the late #2 Paul “The Pig” Gray of Slipknot, Steve Howe of YES, and Izzy Stradlin of GNR and Velvet Revolver
Lots of great releases today including Aerosmith’s Toys in the Attic in 1975
We also got Thinkfreakness by The Black Keys in 2003, Third Eye Blind’s self-titled debut in 1997 and The Clash’s self titled debut record in 1977!
Did I mention we also got Godsmack’s Faceless in 2003 and Smash by The Offspring in 1994!
In 2016, the 31st Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place. Inductees include Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, and Deep Purple. Miller, who tended to be averse to award shows, would go on a rant after being inducted, saying that the Hall was like, “a private boys club,” and lets loose on the organizers. “It’s a bunch of jackasses and jerks and f–king gangsters and crooks.”
Also in 2016, Gavin Rossdale of Bush and Gwen Stefani of No Doubt get divorced after a 14 year marriage.
Dammit, we got sad again! Let’s fix that!
In 1994, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side Of The Moon became the fourth best selling album in American history, announced the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album had passed 13 million sold.
In 2012, reports were released that the organizers of the 2012 London Olympics had contacted Bill Curbishley, the manager of The Who, and asked if drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978, would be able to perform at the upcoming Games. Curbishley told The Times his response: ‘I emailed back saying Keith now resides in Golders Green crematorium, having lived up to The Who’s anthemic line ‘I hope I die before I get old,’ he said. ‘If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him.’
And finally, ending on a much sillier note than when we began, in 2000, Christopher Walken asked for more cowbell on what would become one the most iconic skits in Saturday Night Live’s history
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
