This Day in History: 2023-03-15

MARCH 15^th

KISS’ “Destroyer” is released. The platinum album features “Shout It Out Loud,” the hit ballad “Beth” and the incredible “Detroit Rock City.” 1976

A federal judge dismisses a copyright lawsuit that claimed Nickelback’s ‘06 hit “Rockstar” was ripped off from an earlier song by Snowblind Revival musician Kirk Johnston, who claimed Nickelback’s song mirrored a song he’d done called “Rock Star.” 2023

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Grateful Dead founding member and bassist, Phil Lesh, is born in Berkeley, CA. 1940

Singer Mike Love is born in L.A. He’s the cousin of fellow Beach Boys, Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson. 1941

Former Oakland DJ, record producer and leader of Sly & The Family Stone, Sly Stone, is born Sylvester Stewart in Dallas. 1944

Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider (David Daniel Snider) has a birthday. 1955

Elvis Presley gives his last live performances before going into the Army – two hometown shows in Memphis. 1958

Poison’s lead singer, Bret Michaels (Bret Michael Sychak), enters the world. He’s from Butler, PA. 1963

Ryan Schaffer, rhythm guitarist and last remaining original member of Iced Earth, begins his life in Franklin, IN.  1968

The Byrds play the Grand Ole Opry. The Nashville establishment doesn’t think much of a bunch of ‘hippie longhairs’ playing the Country music mecca. The upshot is the band had cut their hair shorter than usual for the show. 1968

Mark Hoppus has a birthday. The Blink 182 vocalist/bassist is born in Ridgecrest, CA. 1972

Originally dismissed as a b-side, the Doobie Brothers have the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 with the Country-influenced “Black Water.” 1975

DJ Joseph Hahn, turntablist for Linkin Park and video director, has a birthday. 1977

Starship’s ballad “Sara” rules the pop chart. But its reign at #1 only lasts a week. 1986

The lamb lies down on Broadway (or thereabouts). Genesis is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York. Original frontman Peter Gabriel does not attend; he’s preparing for a European tour. 2010

KISS open a band-themed 18-hole miniature golf course in Las Vegas. There’s also a state-of-the-art arcade, a KISS gift shop, a Rock n’ Roll All Nite Cafe and the Hotter Than Hell Wedding Chapel. 2012

Iggy & The Stooges drummer Scott Asheton dies at the age of 64. He co-founded the band in ’67 with vocalist Iggy Pop, bassist Dave Alexander, and his guitarist brother Ron. 2014

The “Stairway To Heaven” plagiarism ruling is appealed. In ’16, a jury found that the Led Zeppelin classic did not copy the song “Taurus” written by Spirit guitarist Randy California (Wolfe).  In a brief filed in the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Wolfe’s estate argues that a series of “erroneous” jury instructions resulted in the unanimous verdict siding with Led Zeppelin.  2017

It’s not St. Patrick’s Day without a fight. Dropkick Murphys, in the midst of their annual St. Patrick’s Day run of shows, sees bassist Ken Casey injured after jumping into the audience to confront an overly aggressive, inebriated crowd member who is elbowing others, including women, near the stage.  Casey is hit with a beer can which draws blood.  2019  

The first installment of the two-part mini-series, “Phoenix Rising,” debuts on HBO.  The series chronicles Rachel Wood’s chance meeting with Marilyn Manson (born Brian Warner) and describes how that evening turned into a years-long relationship that she claims included vicious sexual, physical and emotional abuse.  The second installment premieres the following day. 2022

Marina Cardenas, bassist/keyboardist for Eagles Of Death Metal, comes out of a coma after suffering an asthma attack that led to brain damage.  2022

Tickets go on sale for The Cure’s first North American tour since 2016 but it goes sideways quickly. Fans are upset after realizing that Ticketmaster’s fees eclipse the price of the actual ticket in some markets. The Cure’s frontman Robert Smith says he is “sickened” by what he calls “a greedy scam.”  Subsequently, he gets Ticketmaster to agree to issue partial refunds to ticket holders over ‘unduly high’ fees.  2023

Fozzy frontman and wrestling superstar Chris Jericho gets a street named after him by the city of Winnipeg, Canada for “being a great ambassador” for the city.  2023