Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s August 17th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
Beginning in 1991, after inviting their audience from a show two day before, Nirvana filmed their video for their breakthrough hit Smells Like Teen Spirit at GMT Studios in Culver City, CA. Having the audience come for free helped save a load of money, as the video only cost $50,000 to make. The video helped launch the band to the stratosphere as well as win a ton of awards.
Moving on to birthdays, we have Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s, Sib Hashian of Boston and Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes
In 1969, the final day of Woodstock begins and featured performances from The Who (continued from the previous day), Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Jimi Hendrix, who performed the following day. Even though it was still Day 3.
And sticking with festivals, the very first Knotfest began in 2012 in Council Bluffs, IA. Organized by Slipknot, the festival featured amusement park entertainment, as well as performances from Deftones and Lamb of God.
We got The Band’s Stage Fright in 1970 and W.A.S.P. released their self-titled debut in 1984!
In 1999, Led Zeppelin became the most bootlegged musicians of all time, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) after they identified 384 bootlegs performances.
And finally in 2019, Tool broke a US Hot 100 record after their song Fear Inoculum entered the chart at No. 93, becoming the longest song ever to enter that chart. The song beat out David Bowie’s Blackstar for the record, clocking in at 10:22 compared to Bowie’s 9:57.
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
