This Day in History: 2023-04-06

APRIL 6th

“Even Flow,” a single off Pearl Jam’s “Ten,” is released.

Though the song eventually peaks at #3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, it was recorded with great difficulty. “There were a hundred takes on that song, and we just never nailed it,” states bassist Jeff Ament. 1992

Tool releases their debut full-length album, “Undertow.”  The set sells over 3 million copies in North America.  1993

Soul Asylum‘s “Grave Dancers Union,” with “Runaway Train,” is certified double platinum (2 million sales). 1994

Wendy O. Williams, former lead singer of the Plasmatics, dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at age 48.

She was easily one of the most shocking and controversial Punk figures.  1998

Evanescence receive a diamond plaque for their debut album “Fallen.”  The plaque commemorates sales and streams of 10-million units in the U.S.  2023

Released in ’03, “Fallen” held the singles “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal.” Both songs reached the Top 10 in the U.S.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

The Pixies Black Francis/Frank Black is born in Boston.  1965 

Syd Barrett, who is having trouble functioning in Pink Floyd, is asked to leave. He is replaced by David Gilmour. Viewing Barrett as the group’s creative force Pink Floyd’s managers quit. 1968

Seeing himself as the creative driving force behind the band, Roger Waters claims he is the only one who can use the name “Pink Floyd.” 1987

The Beatles “Anthology 2” is #1 on the Billboard 200.  Containing rarities, outtakes and live performances the set covers 1965-68.  1996

Alice In Chains confirm that William DuVall of the Atlanta-based Comes With The Fall is the group’s new frontman, replacing the late Layne Staley. 2006

Audioslave’s Tom Morello is honored during the second annual Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Awards at the National Museum of Women in Washington, D.C. The guitarist is recognized for his ongoing activism as a champion of workers’ rights. 2006

Walt Disney Pictures says Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards, won’t publicize the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Richards has a cameo, as Capt. Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) father. The guitarist’s statement that he once snorted a mixture of cocaine and his father’s ashes ruffled the delicate sensibilities of the innocent movie folks. Even though Richards later claims the comment wasn’t true that’s just the sort of twisted thing real pirates would have done. 2007

CBS’ telecast of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game opens with a 90-second snippet of Green Day’s “Know Your Enemy,” the first single off the band’s album, “21st Century Breakdown.” 2009

The Scorpions are added to Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame during a ceremony at the Hollywood Guitar Center store. 2010

The Ramones self-titled debut set tops Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 40 Greatest Punk Albums of All Time.? Second place goes to The Clash’s self-titled debut. 2016

Slayer sues the organizers of Iceland’s Secret Solstice music festival, claiming it haven’t been fully paid – still owed approximately $134,000 – for appearing at the previous year’s event.  Reportedly, a significant number of people and companies have also not been paid for their work at Solstice Productions, which handled Secret Solstice’s operations.  2019

Kid Rock plays a video message from former U.S. president Donald Trump, during the kick-off concert of his “Bad Reputation” tour in Evansville, IN. In the video Trump praises Kid Rock and calls his fans “the true backbone of our great country — hard-working, God-fearing rock and roll patriots.”  2022

Mötley Crüe co-founder Mick Mars sues his ex-band claiming they kicked him out and ripped him off, financially. The guitarist, suffering from a debilitating arthritic disease called ankylosing spondylitis, stepped away from “The Stadium Tour” in ’22 – replaced by John 5. “Unfortunately, Mick chose to file this lawsuit to badmouth the band,” writes Mötley Crüe in a statement.   The band adds that the charges are “unfortunate” and “completely off-base.” 2023