Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s March 17th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
We got a ton of birthdays today including, Melissa Auf der Maur of Hole, Justin Hawkins (no relation to Taylor of the Foo Fighters) of The Darkness, Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy, Van Conner of the Screaming Trees and Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins
Muse released their live/video album HAARP in 2008, the Grateful Dead’s self-titled debut in 1967 and Van Halen released Van Halen III in 1998. We also got the debut record of Generation X in 1978. Man, I wonder what the lead singer is doing now. Probably nothing.
OK! Sorry man.
In 1987, just three weeks after a Beastie Boys show where the trio used a giant inflatable uh… “phallus” as a stage prop and encouraged woman to flash the band, the city of Columbus, Georgia passed an anti-lewdness law. The law prohibited nudity, simulated sex, and objectionable language at concerts that would be attended by minors.
In 1979, Talking Heads made their first major TV appearance when they played the American Bandstand
In 1985, Richard Ramirez, aka the Night Stalker, killed a man in Rosemead, California, leaving an AC/DC hat at the crime scene. As his crime spree continued, AC/DC were revealed to be Ramirez’s favorite band, causing the Aussies to be accused of encouraging crime and devil worship in their music. I don’t know about you, but a song about balls doesn’t really scream “Devil Worship” to me
In 2020, Dropkick Murphys livestreamed a free St. Patrick’s Day concert from an empty venue in Boston. This would set into motion other artists livestreaming their own shows to perform for fans during lockdown
And finally in 2001, Pearl Jam broke the record for most appearances on the Billboard 200 album charts in a single week when seven bootlegs from their North American tour debuted on the chart. The record they broke was established by THEMSELVES a year earlier when five bootlegs from their European tour hit the chart.
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
