March 29, 2024

This Day in History: 2024-09-09

SEPTEMBER 9th

John Lennon’s solo career peaks early with the release of the “Imagine” album. 1971

It’s the MTV Music Awards! Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” wins Best Alternative Music Video and Best New Artist Video. The group performs “Lithium.” Krist Novoselic launches his bass skyward only to have it land on him. Later, frontman Kurt Cobain gets into a backstage argument with Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses).  1992

As all this is happening, the Best Video Award goes to Van Halen for “Right Now” and the Red Hot Chili Peppers earn the Viewer’s Choice trophy for “Under The Bridge.”

R.E.M.’s “New Adventures In Hi-Fi” arrives.  It debuts at #2 on the U.S. Album Chart and goes on to sell seven-million units.1996

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Iron Butterfly leader, singer, songwriter and organist, Doug Ingle, is born. He is the one who wrote and sang “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” 1946

Doobie Brothers guitarist John McFee begins his life. 1950

Elvis Presley makes the first of three appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. He is shown from the waste up so his gyrations don’t offend. The power still comes through. 1956

Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is lodged at #3 on the pop chart. 1957

The Beatles get the final version of Paul McCartney’s “Helter Skelter” recorded. After the 18th take, Ringo Starr flings his drumsticks across the studio and screams, “I got blisters on me fingers!,” which is included on the song’s stereo mix. The song appears on “The Beatles” aka “The White Album.” 1968

Guitarist Marcos Curiel has a birthday. The San Diego native subsequently co-founds P.O.D. in ’92.  1974

Wings launch a 13-month world tour that is seen by over two-million fans. 1975

Foreigner’s sophomore album, “Hot Blooded” peaks at #3 on the U.S. chart. 1978

Warrant ascends to #4 on the Hot 100 with “Heaven.” 1989

Things they don’t teach you in law school. Ex-Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten appears on the Judge Judy TV show. If that’s not absurd enough, Rotten is accused of using a head-butt to resolve a contractual dispute. 1998

Kid Rock gets into a dust up with Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas. The former spouses of ‘actress’ Pamela Anderson exchange words before Rock throws a punch (according to witnesses) sending Lee to the turf. Rock also takes a blow when he is slapped with a misdemeanor battery charge. The following month the Clark County District Attorney’s Office decides not to pursue any charges against Rock after Lee himself requests that Rock not be prosecuted for the incident. 2007

On a more pleasant note, Fall Out Boy wins Best Group honor at the MTV Video Music Awards. But this is overshadowed by pop singer Britney Spears. She stumbles through the show opener and that’s the big news (figures). 2007

Founding Outlaws guitarist-singer Hughie Thomasson dies after apparently suffering a heart attack at his home in Brooksville, FL. Thomasson, 55 years old, was also a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd from ’96 to ’05. 2007

U2’s “Songs Of Innocence,” with the lead single, “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone),” is available for free download to iTunes customers. The band also performs at Apple’s iPhone 6 launch event in Cupertino, CA. Those who purchase the iPhone 6 get the album pre-loaded – which greatly annoys some customers. 2014

The Replacements perform on TV for the first time in 25 years when they appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The appearance on the NBC show is ironic coming 28 years after The Replacements were banned for life from Saturday Night Live following a recklessly drunken, but entertaining, performance. 2014

Breaking Benjamin’s “The Diary Of Jane” is certified triple platinum by the RIAA.  2019

Wes Scantlin (Puddle OF Mudd) is arrested at LAX (L.A.) for having a BB gun on him as he is getting on the plane for a show in Keller, TX.  2017

The Rolling Stones launch global retail fashion flagship store, RS No.9 Carnaby, at 9 Carnaby Street in London that sells a collection combining the Tommy Jeans streetwear aesthetic with tour merchandise-inspired apparel. 2020

Ozzy Osbourne’s album, “Ordinary Man” (released in ’20) is certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of half a million copies. 2021

Tom DeLonge (Blink-182, Angels & Airwaves) reveals his secret to playing guitar at lightning speed when playing Punk Rock. “It’s all about masturbating,” DeLonge explains. “That’s the only one way to do it, and if you don’t masturbate, you can’t play Punk Rock.  2021

Peter Frampton (“Frampton Comes Alive”) receives The Myositis Association Patient Ambassador Award during the annual “Heroes In The Fight” ceremony at TMA’s annual patient conference in San Diego, CA.  The singer/guitarist is recognized for raising awareness of myositis diseases. He was diagnosed in ‘19.  2023