Today in Rock History – February 17

Posted on February 17, 2024

Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s February 17th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!

Two huge birthdays today as it’s both Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day and the late Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters’ birthdays

TEMPE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 25: Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the 2023 Innings Festival at Tempe Beach Park on February 25, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage)
Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters performs on stage, Los Angeles, United States, 16th January 2016. (Photo by Robert Knight Archive/Redferns)

It’s also Rickey Medlocke of Skynyrd and Blackfoot and Tim Mahoney of 311’s birthday today!

With releases, we have two debut records today! Blink-182’s Cheshire Cat (1995) and AC/DC with High Voltage (1975) <- That’s the Australian version of High Voltage.

In 1989 we saw the release of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, a classic buddy time traveling comedy about two dudes from San Dimas trying to complete their history report. They taught us history, the power of friendship and to…

Also in 1989, David Coverdale of Whitesnake marries actress Tawny Kitean. You may know her from this music video:

And finally in 2005, one of Jimi Hendrix’s Fender Stratocaster guitars sold at auction for over $125,000 in London.

Also sold in that auction were a poem written by Hendrix two weeks after his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival (over $12,600) and the first Jimi Hendrix Experience single Hey Joe, which was signed by the whole band (over $2,500).

This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!