This Day in History: 2024-06-08

JUNE 8th

Red Chili Peppers issue “Californication” their biggest-selling album worldwide – 15 million copies worldwide – 7-million in the U.S. alone. The band’s seventh album marks the return of guitarist John Frusciante.  1999

Velvet Revolver arrive with “Contraband.”  The album debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and is later certified double platinum.  2004

The band consists of Guns N’ Roses alum: Slash (guitar), Duff McKagen (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums). Guitarist Dave Kushner was brought along with former Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland.

You Shook Me All Night Long. The Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) says AC/DC‘s “Back In Black” has sold more than 21-million copies in the U.S. The ’80 release was the group’s first with singer Brian Johnson (following the death of original vocalist Bon Scott). 2005

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

One-time member of the Steve Miller Band, but better known as a solo artist, Boz Scaggs is born. 1944

Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn has a birthday.  1954

Duran Duran keyboardists Nick Rhodes is born. 1962

Brian Jones says he has quit the Rolling Stones – a band he co-founded. His input had been waning due to excessive drug use and emotional issues.  Also, the Stones want to tour but Jones’ catalog of drug busts prevent him from obtaining a U.S. visa. Less than a month later, Jones drowns in his swimming pool.  1969

After losing the top spot on the Billboard 200 eight weeks earlier, “Band On The Run” (Paul McCartney & Wings) returns to #1 as the album’s title-track ascends to #1 on the U.S. pop survey. 1974 

Guitarist Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers Band) is born.  1979

Cole Alexander, vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Black Lips, has a birthday. 1982

Bruce Springsteen marries fellow Jersey native and member of the E Street Band, Patti Scialfa. It’s his second marriage and her first. 1991

A pre-Van Halen Gary Cherone leads Extreme to the top of the U.S. singles chart with “More Than Words.” 1991

“Angel Dust,” the fourth album from Extreme, is out.  The album sells 2.5 million worldwide.  1992

“Down On The Upside” enters the U.S. album chart at #2. The Soundgarden effort is kept out of the top spot by The Fugees’ “The Score.”  1996

Wal-Mart pulls the Goo Goo Dolls album “A Boy Named Goo” due to ‘offensive’ cover art. A baby appears covered with blood. The album sells 1.5 million copies anyway; 50,000 of those come from Wal-Mart prior to the ban. 1996

Pearl Jam’s cover of “Last Kiss” (originally recorded by Wayne Cochran in ’61) for the charity album “No Boundaries: A Benefit For The Kosovar Refugees,” is released as a single. The song peaks at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming the group’s highest charting single. 1999

Warped And Driven. Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo receives his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. It only took 11 years (and a few albums, tours, etc.) after he enrolled in the Ivy League school. 2006

Recorded in Nashville and Hollywood, “Lost Highway” is Bon Jovi’s 10th studio album. Thanks in part to the Country influences, it’s the first Bon Jovi album to debut at #1. 2007

Early Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan dies at age 68.  He played on five Fleetwood Mac albums between ’68–’72.  2018

Trying to snap a lengthy losing streak the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (baseball) use Nickelback songs as “walk-up” music as batters go to the plate against the Boston Red Sox. It doesn’t work.  The Angels lose their 14^th in a row.  2022

The Download Festival at the Donington Racetrack/Park in England, celebrates its 20^th anniversary. Headliners at four-day fest are Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot with support from Disturbed, Evanescence and Ghost, among others.  2023

In Flames part ways with bassist Bryce Paul and replaces him with Liam Wilson (The Dillinger Escape Plan).  2023

Alkaline Trio drummer Derek Grant, who has been with the band for 22 years, announces his departure.  2023