April 24th
1976 Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” makes it into the U.S. Top 10 (#9).
2010 Godsmack’s “Cryin’ Like A Bitch” rules Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.
The song begins a five-week run at the top of the chart.
2011 “American Idiot” ends its Broadway run.
The Green Day musical closes at the St. James Theatre after 422 performances.
2018 Breaking Benjamin’s “Ember” debuts at #3 on the Billboard 200.
The set moves 88,000 units, with 80,000 of those coming in traditional album sales.
“People have always really liked the heavier side of the band. But we also make sure to explore our melodic and softer side too,” noted vocalist Benjamin Burnley. “We decided to give everybody what they want to the furthest degree.”
MORE TODAY IN ROCK…
1954 Night Ranger/Damn Yankees bassist/vocalist, Jack Blades, has a birthday.
1970 Tricia Nixon, President Richard Nixon’s daughter, invites Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick to the White House. Slick chooses revolutionary Chicago Seven defendant Abbie Hoffman as her escort. Hoffman doesn’t get by the Secret Service and Slick leaves, missing the social connection of a lifetime.
1973 Bassist Brian Marshall (Creed/Alter Bridge) enters the world.
1975 Reeling from financial difficulties, Badfinger’s guitarist/songwriter Pete Ham hangs himself in the garage of his London home.
1976 Time for “Silly Love Songs.” “Wings At The Speed Of Sound” tops the Billboard 200. Wings fifth studio effort is also the band’s fourth consecutive #1.
1982 “Hurts So Good” is released. It’s John (Mellencamp) Cougar’s first Top 10 song and goes to #2.
1986 Singer/keyboardist Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens) is born in Medford, OR.
2000 Just as Metallica is going to the mat with Napster (over alleged copyright infringement), Limp Bizkit announce that their Back To Basics Tour will be sponsored by Napster.
2009 The video for Green Day’s “Know Your Enemy,” the first single from “21st Century Breakdown,” premieres on MTV, VH1 and all other worldwide MTV Network platforms.
2010 Stone Temple Pilots’ single “Between The Lines,” is #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Rock chart. It is the first track off the group’s self-titled album. “When the four of us get into a room to make a musical statement, it’s undeniable that things happen,” says guitarist Dean DeLeo.
2014 Stephen Pearcy announces he has quit Ratt. “I am officially done with having anything to do with them, due to the constant turmoil, unresolved business, personal attacks and threats in the public forum, and most of all, disrespect to the fans,” explains Pearcy, who adds that the ’02 death of guitarist Robbin Crosby, due to a heroin overdose, factored into his decision.
2016 Iron Maiden give their first-ever concert in China. It’s at the Beijing LeSports Center during the group’s The Book Of Souls world tour.
2021 “And So It Goes,” The Pretty Reckless with Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello, is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.
2024 Mike Pinder, co-founder of the Moody Blues, dies at the age of 82. The keyboardist/vocalist was the band’s last surviving original member.
