Today in Rock Music History
August 20th
1988 Featured Rock Event
Steve Winwood’s “Roll With It,”
Steve Winwood’s “Roll With It,” containing the chart-topping title track, is #1 on the Billboard Album chart. It goes to #1 in the U.S. on its way to selling 3-million copies.
2011 Featured Rock Event
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie”
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie” knocks the Foo Fighters’ “Walk” from the #1 slot on the Billboard Alternative Rock Songs chart. The song is the lead single from RHCP’s tenth studio album, “I’m With You.” Four weeks later, “Walk” returns to #1
2018 Featured Rock Event
The Eagles’ — “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975”
The Recording Industry Association of America says The Eagles’ album — “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975” — now certified 38 x platinum is the best-selling album of all-time.
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” at 33 x platinum, is second. The Eagles’ “Hotel California,” released in 1977, is now 26 x platinum and the third best-selling album of all-time.
MORE TODAY IN ROCK HISTORY…
1948
Robert Plant
The result of a whole lotta love, Led Zeppelin singer and songwriter is born.
1949
Phil Lynott
Thin Lizzy bassist/singer, the group is known for “The Boys Are Back In Town” and “Jailbreak.”
1952
Doug Fieger
Lead singer for the Knack and Co-writer of the ’79 hit “My Sharona” (with lead guitarist Berton Averre), is born in Detroit.
1966
Darrell Lance Abbott
Pantera/Damageplan guitarist, “Dimebag” Darrell, enters the world.
1969
The Beatles
The last time all four Beatles are in the Abbey Road studio together. They finish “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).”
Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa (temporarily) disbands the Mothers Of Invention. Seems Zappa has grown tired of playing for people who clap for all the wrong reasons.
1970
Fred Durst
(William Frederick Durst), Limp Bizkit’s vocalist, is born in Jacksonville, FL.
1972
Miguel “Meegs” Rascon
Guitarist for Coal Chamber, has a birthday today.
1981
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Perform a benefit concert for Vietnam vets in L.A.
2001
Taylor Hawkins
On tour in England, Foo Fighters Taylor Hawkins overdoses (painkillers or heroin, stories differ) and goes into a coma. “I’ve been into rehab and cleaned up,” Taylor later states. “It’s all in the past.”
2008
Steven Adler
Ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler pleads not guilty in a Los Angeles court to charges stemming from his drug-related arrest the previous month.
2016
Megadeth
Megadeth end their show in Paraguay after five songs when fans break through the barricades protecting the stage, leaving several of them injured (and almost killing one person).
Tragically Hip
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the Tragically Hip’s concert in Kingston, Ontario. The show is the final stop of the band’s farewell tour which launched after lead singer Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
2018
Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons win Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) for “Whatever It Takes.”
2021
Phil Lynott
A monument honoring Thin Lizzy mainman Phil Lynott is unveiled in his hometown of West Bromwich where he was born and lived before moving to Dublin. The unveiling is on what would have been Lynott’s 72nd birthday (see above again).
Megadeth and Lamb Of God
“The Metal Tour Of The Year,” co-headlined by Megadeth and Lamb Of God, marks the return of Megadeth bassist James LoMenzota (‘06 – ’10), taking over from David Ellefson, who was fired from the band for illicit social media contact with a minor.
Corey Taylor
The vocalist for Slipknot/Stone Sour, says he has tested positive for COVID-19. “This is the worst I’ve ever been sick in my life; had I not been vaccinated, I shudder to think how bad it would’ve been,” explains Taylor.
2022
Michael Poulsen
Volbeat’s Michael Poulsen marries longtime girlfriend Jeanet Carlsen. This is the second marriage for the singer-guitarist.