March 28, 2024

This Day in History: 2025-03-05

MARCH 5th

Gregg Allman’s “Laid Back” goes gold. The album, released the previous year, contains “Midnight Rider.” 1974

KoЯn’s “MTV Unplugged” album is released. The album debuts at #9 on the Billboard 200 with approximate first week sales of 51,000 copies. 2007

Shinedown’s “Planet Zero” begins an eight-week stay at #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart.  2022

TODAY IN ROCK…

Ike Turner cuts “Rocket 88,” a song many consider the first Rock n’ Roll record. Three months later it tops the R&B chart. 1951

Alan Clark has a birthday. The Dire Straits keyboardist is from Great Lumley, Durham, England. He joins the group in ’77. 1952

Sgt. Elvis Presley leaves the Army after a two-year hitch. He gets discharged at Fort Dix, NJ. 1960

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, John Anthony Frusciante, is born in Queens (but grows up in L.A.). He joins RHCP in ’89 replacing the deceased (heroin overdose) Hillel Slovak. 1970

Robert Kakaha, known as Bob Zilla, bassist for Damageplan and Hellyeah, is born in L.A. 1970

Led Zeppelin give their inaugural public performance of “Stairway To Heaven” at Belfast’s Ulster Hall. According to bassist John Paul Jones the audience is unimpressed. 1971

Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane is arrested for pointing a shotgun at police after they are summoned to her home at 3:30 am by an intoxicated caller.  After refusing to drop the firearm, Slick is wrestled to the ground by police and arrested.  200 hours of community service, mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and random drug and alcohol testing prompts Slick to quit drinking. 1994

“The Osbournes” debuts on MTV. Ozzy is on top again. 2002

Todd Harrell of 3 Doors Down is arrested in Moss Point, MS, after allegedly assaulting a newspaper carrier who accused him of stealing papers from a coin-operated vending machine. An attorney for Harrell contends that the bassist paid for the newspapers. Next time, just go online for the sports scores. 2004

Elton John hosts an Academy Awards party to benefit his AIDs Foundation. The event raises $2.9 million. 2006

“People, Hell And Angels,” is released. The Jimi Hendrix set becomes his highest-charting album in 44-years (a mere 42-and-a-half years after his death). Recorded between ’68 and ’70, it sells 72,000 copies during its first week to debut at #2 (behind Country singer Luke Bryan) on the Billboard 200 chart. It’s the guitarist’s highest-charting album since “Electric Ladyland” went to #1 in ’68. 2013

Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe is acquitted of manslaughter charge by a Czech court. He was accused of pushing Daniel Nosek off the stage during a ’10 Lamb Of God show, leading to a head injury which later caused Nosek’s death. “I am a free man,” says Blythe, following the verdict. “Please remember the family of Daniel Nosek in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. I only wish for them peace.” 2013

Mötley Crüe partner with Global Merchandising Services and Epic Rights to develop and launch retail, licensing, and e-commerce programs for the band. “We’re excited to partner with such a legendary, iconic, gritty and influential part of L.A.’s music history to develop a global licensing program that truly captures the essence of Mötley Crüe,” reads a joint statement from the companies.  2019

Original Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington dies at the age of 71. 2023

Former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg officially signs on with Suicidal Tendencies.  2024

Iconic Artists Group announce a deal with Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry to acquire half of his sound recording, publishing and name, image and likeness rights. Financial details are not disclosed but the company says it will “develop and expand the renowned artist’s musical legacy to new generations of fans.”  2024