This Day in History: 2023-04-18

APRIL 18th

The Pretender’s “Learning To Crawl” is a certified million seller. 1984

After just two albums drug abuse led to the departure of both bassist Pete Farndon and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott (overdoses would claim both). Only frontwoman Chrissie Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers were left. They started working with Rockpile guitarist Billy Bremner and bassist Tony Butler producing “My City Was Gone” and “Back On The Chain Gang.” Then Robbie McIntosh and his pal Malcolm Foster were installed on guitar and bass. This line-up the recorded the remaining tracks for the group’s premier album.

Creed’s power ballad, “With Arms Wide Open,” off the band’s “Human Clay” album, is released.  The song tops the Mainstream Rock chart, goes to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaches double platinum status in a little over two decades.  2000

“From Cradle To Stage: Stories From The Mothers Who Rocked And Raised Rock Stars” by Virginia Grohl, arrives.  The book’s forward is by her son, Dave, of Foo Fighters fame. 2017

The book consists of interviews with the mothers of music stars discussing what it’s like to raise a creative child.  There is also a TV series of the same name.

The guitar Eddie Van Halen used in the music video for Van Halen‘s “Hot For Teacher” sells for $3,932,00 during an auction at Sotheby’s.  It was his primary guitar in ’83 – ’84.  2023

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Guitarist Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge, Tremonti) has a birthday.  1974

The battle between REO Speedwagon and Styx for dominance of the Billboard 200 continues. “Paradise Theater” (Styx) is pushed from the top by the return of “Hi Infidelity” (REO Speedwagon) which has another extended stay at #1.  1981

“Adrenalize,” Def Leppard’s fifth studio album, is #1 on the Billboard 200.  The band’s first album since the death of guitarist Steve Clark stays at the top for five weeks.  1992

The “world’s oldest teenager” is gone. Legendary host of American Bandstand and television producer Dick Clark dies of a massive heart attack at Saint John’s hospital in Santa Monica. Clark was 82. 2012

Rush and Heart are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Nokia Theater in L.A. “They (Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson) blasted any sexist barriers in front of them,” says Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell in his induction speech. 2013

Lou Reed, Green Day, Ringo Starr, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Starr is the last Beatle inducted for his solo career. 2015

Three Days Grace extend its record for the most #1 songs on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs Airplay chart with “Right Left Wrong.” The group’s 15th chart topper is on “Outsider,” their sixth full-length album and fifth consecutive Top 40 set on the Billboard 200. 2019

“Far Away” is the #1 song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.  The Breaking Benjamin track features Cold’s Scooter Ward.  2020

Kurt Cobain’s guitar from Nirvana’s “MTV Unplugged” performance sells for a record six-million dollars. Julien’s Auctions says there were seven bids for the guitar.   2020

Suicidal Tendencies announce that they have parted ways with drummer Brandon Pertzborn and replaced him with Greyson Nekrutman. “The thing about life is, there comes a time when you have to make decisions — hard decisions,” adds Pertzborn in a post.  2023