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