Are you ready to learn some stuff? It’s May 2nd and here’s what happened Today in Rock History!
Starting it off strong with releases as we got Evol by Sonic Youth in 1986 and You’re Gonna Get It! by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 1978,
Moving onto birthdays now, it’s Bunk Gardner of The Mothers of Invention and Lou Gramm of Foreigner’s birthday today
*Content Warning for the next few headlines!*
HIDE of X Japan commits suicide via hanging in 1998 and we lost Jeff Hanneman of Slayer in 2013 of liver failure.
In 1980, Post-Punk pioneers Joy Division play their final show with lead singer Ian Curtis at Birmingham University. A few weeks later, just a day before the band would begin their North American tour, Curtis takes his own life at age 23. The remaining members would reform as New Order.
And in 1979, The Who play their first show following the death of drummer Keith Moon at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Their new drummer, Kenney Jones, was originally a member of the Faces.
END OF CONTENT WARNING
Alright now let’s get to the lighter stuff now shall we? In 1991, Nirvana begins recording Nevermind at the Sound City Studio in Van Nuys, California. The album would become pivotal to the grunge movement and would help launch the band to super stardom.
And speaking of Nirvana, a year later in 1992, little known UK duo, also called Nirvana, sued the American band, claiming that they had been using the name since the late 1960s. Both Nirvanas settled out of court, in favor of the British Nirvana.
In 2005, Cream reunited for the first time in 36 years for the first of four shows in London’s Royal Albert Hall. Clapton claimed the shows came together due to the failing health of his other bandmates, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.
Chad Kroeger of Nickelback was convicted of drunk driving in Vancouver in 2008. Kroeger had almost twice the legal limit in his system when stopped by police while driving in his Lamborghini. He was banned from driving for an entire year. Ok, fine we’ll put it in. But don’t ask me for anything ever again.
And finally in 1986, Judas Priest begins their Fuel For Life tour in Albuquerque, NM. After going to rehab a few months prior, this would be the first time lead singer Rob Halford had ever performed sober with the band.
This has been Today in Rock History! Keep on Rocking, keep on Rolling! Check back tomorrow for your next rock history lesson!
