Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s June 17th and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
It’s a great day for releases, and were starting off strong with the major label debut of Blink-182: Dude Ranch
Other releases include: Van Halen’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, The Getaway from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park’s The Hunting Party, Man Machine Poem by The Tragically Hip and Synchronicity from The Police!
Moving onto birthdays, we have Eric Stefani of No Doubt and Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys.
In 1972, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, founding member and keyboardist for the Grateful Dead, played his final show with the band at the Hollywood Bowl. Due to health problems, “Pigpen” is forced to quit touring. He would die a year later at the age of 27.
In 1977, Judas Priest play their first show in America, opening for REO Speedwagon, of all bands, at the Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas.
A riot took place at a 1997 Ozzfest show in Columbus, OH after fans were told that Ozzy Osbourne couldn’t perform due to throat problems. The rioters set fires, smashed window, overturned cars, the whole she-bang! 23 arrests were made and there were several injuries. Ozzy returns to Columbus on July 1st for a make up show.
In 1980, Led Zeppelin begins what will be their final tour in Dortmund, Germany.
In 1994, Megadeth is kicked off their US tour opening for Aerosmith after Dave Mustaine says in an interview saying his band should’ve been the headliners. Jackyl and 4 Non Blondes replace Mustaine and Megadeth for the remaining dates.
In 1981, Pink Floyd play their last of 31 performances of The Wall, a show where a giant wall is erected (and torn down) while the band plays the album in its entirety. It is also Roger Waters’ final concert with the band, which breaks up in 1983.
We started with Blink-182, now we’re gonna end with Blink, as in a 2016 interview with Mic, Tom DeLonge revealed his true reason for leaving Blink-182: UFO hunting. DeLonge stated in the interview, “There’s been hundreds and hundreds of thousands of eyewitness accounts. Trace evidence that’s been analyzed by scientists across the world. Events have happened on the ground. It’s all around us. I know of stuff I can’t talk about right now.”
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
