Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s July 18th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
Starting the day in 1991 as the very first Lollapalooza festival took place across North America. Groups on the bill included Nine Inch Nails, Living Colour, and Jane’s Addiction!
Today is also the anniversary of the third Lollapalooza in 1993 as Rage Against the Machine used the event to protest (no way!) music censorship by appearing completely nude except for duct tape covering their mouths. The band didn’t play any music for 25 minutes with the letters PMRC written on their chests.
Moving onto releases now we got the Ramones’ final album Adios Amigos in 1995 and Joy Division’s Closer in 1980!
KISS member Gene Simmons unveiled the KISS Kasket on this day in 2001. Here’s Gene talking about it on the Howard Stern Show
Birthdays today include Jack Irons of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ian Stewart of the Rolling Stones, and Daron Malakian of System of a Down!
In 1974, the US Board of Immigration Appeals informed former Beatle John Lennon that he had 60 days to leave the country or he would be deported. This would be the second time Lennon would face deportation due to a 1968 marijuana possession charge. Much like the first time, the threat would be overturned.
In 1978, Def Leppard performed their first live show in front of their school in Sheffield, England in front of an audience of 150 students.
And finally in 2008, Billy Joel played the final show of his “Last Play at Shea” concert, which took place at Shea Stadium just before it would be torn down. Guests that night included Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Roger Daltrey of The Who, and Paul McCartney
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
