January 4th
1967 Recorded the previous August, The Doors issued 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.”
1984 “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.
2008 The Eagles’ “Long Road Out Of Eden” is the third best-selling album issued in ’07.
According to SoundScan’s annual tally, 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.
2025 U2’s Bono Is Honored
Bono is one of 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S.’s highest civilian honor, from President Joe Biden at the White House.
He is honored as “a pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty.”
MORE TODAY IN ROCK…
1960 R.E.M.’s John Michael Stipe is born in Decatur, GA.
1973 The Allman Brothers Band announces that bassist Lamar Williams has been hired as the replacement for Berry Oakley, who died in a motorcycle crash the previous year.
1975 Elton John’s cover of The Beatles’ “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” (primarily written by John Lennon) sits at #1.
1986 Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott dies of complications (heart failure and pneumonia) from a drug overdose.
2005 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.
2010 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.
2011 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 from EMI. The group and label overcame long-standing differences, including how digital music services would sell Floyd songs, to ink a five-year deal. “Pink Floyd is 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.”
2012 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.”
2013 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.”
2018 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.
2022 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.
