This Day in History: 2023-04-01
APRIL 1st
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” is certified platinum (one million units) – it eventually tops 7-million copies. 1991
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” is certified platinum (one million units) – it eventually tops 7-million copies. 1991White Stripes release their fourth album, “Elephant,” in the U.S. 2003
White Stripes release their fourth album, “Elephant,” in the U.S. 2003“I wanted to put ‘Seven Nation Army’ out as a single,” frontman Jack White said in a radio interview years later. “The label in England and the label in America both didn’t want to. They wanted to put ‘There’s No Home For You Here’.” Fortunately, White got his way.
Singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, from Guns N’ Roses’ “Appetite For Destruction”-era lineup, perform together for the first time in nearly twenty-six years at the Troubadour in L.A. The show is billed as “Not In This Lifetime,” quoting what Rose once said regarding a possible classic GN’R lineup reunion. 2016
Singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, from Guns N’ Roses’ “Appetite For Destruction”-era lineup, perform together for the first time in nearly twenty-six years at the Troubadour in L.A. The show is billed as “Not In This Lifetime,” quoting what Rose once said regarding a possible classic GN’R lineup reunion. 2016The “Not In This Lifetime” tour won the ’17 “Top Tour/Top Draw” category at Billboard’s annual Touring Awards in L.A. The trek had grossed more than $400 million in a year-and-a-half. It went one to become one of the recipients of Ticketmaster’s inaugural Touring Milestone Award, which was developed to recognize the top global tours as measured by the total number of tickets sold and fans reached – total global sales exceeding 500,000 tickets.
MORE TODAY IN ROCK…
After being rejected by no less than 30 labels, the Everly Brothers’ “Bye Bye Love” is released on Cadence Records. It hits #2 on the pop chart and tops the Country & Western chart. 1957
Jerry Lee Lewis’ third Top 10 single, “Breathless,” peaks at #7. 1958
The Troggs record their classic “Wild Thing” in London. 1966
The Beach Boys sue their label, Capitol Records, for $2 million in unpaid royalties and for ‘general mismanagement’. They also announce the formation of Brothers Records, distributed by Warner/Reprise Records. 1969
“Stairway To Heaven” is played on the radio for the first time. The Led Zeppelin song is part of a London concert recording that is broadcast on the BBC’s John Peel Rock Hour. Over the ensuing decades, “Stairway To Heaven” becomes the most played song on the radio. 1971
“The Cry of Love” album goes gold six months after Jimi Hendrix’s death. 1971
Volbeat Singer/Guitarist Michael Poulsen has a birthday. 1975
Brian Johnson is named AC/DC’s vocalist six weeks after the death of frontman Bon Scott. 1980
John Lennon’s “Woman” goes gold. It’s the third Top 10 single from “Double Fantasy.” The other two are “Starting Over” and “Watching The Wheels.” 1981
Guitarist Kirk Hammett is asked to audition for Metallica. He initially thinks it’s an April Fool’s joke but aces the audition a week later to replace Dave Mustaine. 1983
David Lee Roth leaves Van Halen for a solo career. The date seems fitting. He is replaced by Sammy Hagar who’s actually with the group longer. Later (much later), Roth rejoins Van Halen. 1985
Arejay Hale (Halestorm) is born in Philadelphia, PA. 1986
