March 28, 2024

This Day in History: 2025-01-04

JANUARY 4th

Recorded the previous August, The Doors issue their self-titled debut album. The classic set contains “Break On Through (To The Other Side),” “The End,” “Soul Kitchen” and the complete version of “Light My Fire.” 1967

“Defenders Of The Faith,” Judas Priest’s ninth studio effort, arrives.  Recorded in Ibiza, Spain and mixed in Miami, the album holds “Freewheel Burning,” Some Heads Are Gonna Roll” and “Love Bites.” It becomes a platinum album.  1984

The Eagles’ “Long Road Out Of Eden” is the third best-selling album issued in ’07 according SoundScan’s annual tally.  2008

The album sold 2.6 million units before the year’s end. Only crooner Josh Groban’s “Noel” and the “High School Musical 2” soundtrack moved more units.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

R.E.M.’s John Michael Stipe is born in Decatur, GA. 1960

The Allman Brothers Band announce that bassist Lamar Williams has been hired as the replacement for Berry Oakley, who died in a motorcycle crash the previous year.  1973

Elton John’s cover of The Beatles’ “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” (primarily written by John Lennon) sits at #1. 1975

Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott dies of complications (heart failure and pneumonia) from a drug overdose. 1986

Everclear’s Art Alexakis files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in California. According to documents submitted by the vocalist he has accumulated a $2.75 million federal-tax debt, owes $230,000 to the Oregon Department of Revenue and $120,000 to credit card companies. Three divorces and sluggish album sales will do that to you. 2005

Godsmack’s Sully Erna reaches a multimillion-dollar court settlement with an accident victim. In ’07, 27-year-old Lindsay Taylor was riding in the back seat of a car that was rear-ended by Erna’s Hummer. According to court documents, Taylor suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. 2010

Bono’s lyrics get the approval of Pope Benedict XVI. L’Osservatore Romano, a newspaper tied to the Vatican, publishes an article praising the Christian themes in U2 songs. 2010

Jane’s Addiction announces that TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek is the band’s bassist replacing Guns N’ Roses vet Duff McKagan who left in’‘10 citing creative differences. “The events over the last year have proven themselves to be a necessary part of the journey as they have led us to our current creative team and direction,” says Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro. 2011

Pink Floyd announce they have resigned with EMI. The group and label overcome long standing differences, including how digital music services would sell Floyd songs, to ink a five-year deal. “Pink Floyd are one of the most important and influential bands of all time,” says label CEO Roger Faxon in the statement. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with them.” 2011

Killswitch Engage issue a statement via their website announcing plans to move forward without singer Howard Jones. “We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we’ve had him in the band. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well.” 2012

Rob Caggiano, lead guitarist for Anthrax since ’01, quits. He’s heard on the albums “We’ve Come For You All” and “Worship Music.” “While this might be one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, it feels like the right one for me at this time,” says Caggiano in a statement. Meanwhile, Anthrax wishes the guitarist “nothing but great success going forward.” 2013

U2’s Bono pens an op-ed for Time magazine urging action from men, especially those in positions of power, to reduce gender inequality.  “Men can’t step back and leave it to women alone to clean up the mess we’ve made and are still making,” writes Bono.  2018.

Billboard says Guns N’ Roses’ “Not In This Lifetime” trek is the fourth biggest grossing tour of all time earning more than $475 million.  According to the publication the top three all-time tours are U2’s 360º ($736 million), the Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang ($558) and Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams ($523 million).   2018

Ray Thomas, flautist, vocalist and founding member of the Moody Blues, dies at his home in Surrey, England.  He was 76.  2018

The film “Rucker,” with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor in a supporting role, is released. Rucker the trucker is a mass serial killer who targets women who look like his ex-wife. Taylor plays his friend. 2022