Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s May 17th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
Starting off strong with releases, we got Mezmerize from System of a Down in 2005
We also got Wave from the Patti Smith Group in 1979, Paul McCartney’s Ram in 1971, Rammstein’s 2019 self titled album, and Twenty One Pilots’ Blurryface in 2015
We continue on with birthdays and we’ve got some heavy hitters including Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails!
We also have former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese, Bill Bruford of YES, Michael Pfaff of Slipknot, and the original lead singer of Iron Maiden, Paul Di’Anno.
And the last birthday of the day goes to Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, Eagles of Death Metal and like, 30 other bands it seems.
In 1990, Nirvana played the final date on their 1990 North American tour and this would be the final time that they would play with drummer Chad Channing. Channing would be replaced later that year by Dave Grohl.
In 1975, Elton John became the third ever white performer to appear on Soul Train.
And finally in 1987, Tom Petty’s Encino, CA home burned to the ground. The Petty family escaped physically unharmed but mentally traumatized from the incident. After an investigation, the fire was ruled an arson, but the perpetrator would never be caught. He wrote a song about it.
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
