This Day in History: 2023-04-21

APRIL 21st

The “Footloose” soundtrack with the title track (performed by Kenny Loggins), “Almost Paradise” (Ann Wilson – Heart & Mike Reno – Loverboy) and “Holding Out For A Hero” (Bonnie Tyler) begins a ten-week run at #1 on the Billboard 200.  1984

Soundgarden’s “Superunknown” goes 6-times platinum (sales over 6-million). 1994

The band’s fourth album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in ’94.

Rush get their ninth Juno Award (the Canadian Grammys) when “Clockwork Angels” is named Rock Album of the Year. 2013

It is the nineteenth and final studio album by the band.

Metallica’s “72 Seasons” is #1 on the U.K. Albums Chart. Metallica’s eleventh studio album outsells the rest of the Top 5 combined to become the band’s fourth album — and first since “Death Magnetic” in ’08 – to top the U.K. chart.  2023

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Mars Bonfire (born Dennis Eugene McCrohan and later known as Dennis Edmonton) is born in Oshawa, Canada. He was the guitarist for The Sparrows, a forerunner of Steppenwolf, and wrote the latter’s mega-hit “Born To Be Wild,” and other songs recorded by the group. Bonfire is also the older brother of Steppenwolf drummer Jerry Edmonton. 1943

Iggy Pop is born in Muskegan, MI, with the name James Jewel Osterberg. 1947

Recorded in Nashville, “Heartbreak Hotel” is Elvis Presley’s first #1. It tops the U.S. chart for seven weeks.  1956

The Cure’s frontman, Robert James Smith, sees his first light of day in Blackpool, England. 1959

Misfits’ Jerry Only is born.  1959

Alice Cooper’s “Billion Dollar Babies,” with “Elected” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy” is #1 on the Billboard 200.  1973

Exhaustion causes Joe Strummer to disappear. The Clash is forced to cancel a show. Strummer returns and The Clash are performing live again by the end of the month. 1982

All Time Low’s bassist/singer Zack Merrick enters the world.  1988

Paul McCartney draws 184,000 people to his concert in Rio, setting a world record for attendance at a single artist concert. 1990

Beastie Boys release “Check Your Head.” Their third studio album relies less on samples and features Punk influenced instrumental contributions from all three members: Adam Horovitz (guitar), Adam Yauch (bass), and Mike Diamond (drums). The set peaks at #10 on the Billboard 200 and makes several lists as one of the best albums of the decade. 1992

On a trans-Atlantic flight to perform at the South Africa Freedom Day Concert in London’s Trafalgar Square, R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck is arrested for assaulting two crewmembers. 2001

The Icons of Music Auction in New York to benefit Music Rising, the Hurricane Katrina-relief charity co-founded U2’s the Edge, raises over $2.4 million. The Edge is on hand to witness a final bid of $410,000 for a guitar once owned by the late Jimi Hendrix. A pair of axes donated by the Edge go for $240,000 and $105,000, respectively, while a signed guitar by U2 frontman Bono sells for $187,500. 2007

Jon Bon Jovi is honored for his charity work by the Food Bank for New York at the nonprofit organization’s sixth annual Can-Do Awards Dinner. The singer is recognized, in part, for his support of efforts to provide housing to low-income families. 2009

Prince (Rogers Nelson), the eclectic virtuoso known for “1999,” “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” dies at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen. MN. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was 57. 2016

Thirty Seconds To Mars debut at #2 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with “America.” Frontman Jared Leto promotes the album by traveling across America by “any means possible.”  It’s their best showing to date. It’s the band’s fifth studio effort. 2018

Belinda Marie Ramos and Tony Rosales get married during a Foo Fighters concert in Dallas. They tie the knot while the band performs “Everlong.”  2018

Morbid Angel guitarist Trey Azagthoth collapses onstage, due to dehydration and a back injury, during the band’s concert in Tampa, FL.   2023