This Day in History: 2023-04-30

APRIL 30th

“Crash,” from the Dave Matthews Band, is released. 1996

The album sells over seven-million copies.

Linkin Park’s “Hybrid Theory” is certified as selling over eight million copies. 2002

Throwing Old School Hip-Hop, Classic Rock and electronic elements into the mix, Linkin Park burst out of the So. Cal music scene. Their debut, “Hybrid Theory” was released in late ’00. Interestingly, the CD’s title was the group’s original name.

Twenty years later the album is recognized for moving over 12-million copies.

The Ramones’ self-titled debut album is certified gold by the RIAA, signifying sales of over 500,000 units. Released in ’76, the landmark Punk album initially peaked at #111 on the Billboard 200. It only took them 38 years! 2014

The U2 album cover for “Songs Of Innocence” and not the music, leads to a controversy. Russian politician Alexander Starovoitov, a member of the conservative LDPR party, asks the country’s attorney general to investigate Apple for distributing ‘gay propaganda’ to Russian youth. The physical edition of the album depicts drummer Larry Mullen Jr. hugging the waist of his 18-year-old son. Both are shirtless, so Starovoitov ‘naturally’ assumes the cover promotes gay sex. 2015

KISS frontman Paul Stanley takes to Twitter to comment on young people having gender transitions and the parents who are “normalizing and even encouraging participation” calling it a “sad and dangerous fad.” 2023

The blowback is immediate. Among those taking Stanley to task is The Offspring’s Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman. “This is a very disappointing take, especially from someone who wore high-heels, makeup, & teased up hair his whole career.”

Days later. Stanley takes to Twitter again to add ““I support those struggling with their sexual identity while enduring constant hostility, and those whose path leads them to reassignment surgery.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Guitarist/singer Wayne Kramer (MC5) is born. 1948

Elvis Presley records “Jailhouse Rock.” The title track to an Elvis movie goes to #1 when its released five-months later. 1957

The Kinks launch their first U.K. tour as headliners. The Yardbirds are also on the bill. 1965

“Aftermath,” the first Rolling Stones album completely composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, tops the U.K. chart. 1966

Birthday wishes to 3 Doors Down guitarist Chris Henderson.  1971

Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” – with Eddie Van Halen’s classic guitar solo – is the #1 song in the U.S. It has a 3-week stay at the top. 1983

Nirvana signs a recording deal with DCG Records. They get a $287,000 advance. 1991

The Hives ‘”Veni Vidi Vicious” debuts in the U.S.  The Swedes’ album was released eighteen months earlier in their native land. 2002

Bruce Springsteen performs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. It’s his first-ever appearance at the event. But the big news is his critical comments regarding the government’s slow response to Hurricane Katrina. “I saw sights I never thought I’d see in an American city,” says Springsteen. “The criminal ineptitude makes you furious.” 2006

Stevie Wonder receives an honorary doctorate in music as part of the two-day opening celebration of the Kohl Building for Jazz Studies, an addition to Oberlin College, a private Liberal Arts institution. Located in Oberlin, OH, the school is noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. 2010

Deftones’ eighth studio album, “Gore,” debuts at #2 on the Billboard 200 (beat out of the top spot by The Lumineers’ “Cleopatra”). It is the band’s highest-charting effort since their self-titled third album went to #2 in ’03. 2016

A fan-funded statue of AC/DC frontman Bon Scott is unveiled at the 10th annual Bonfest in the singer’s hometown of Kirriemuir in Scotland. After Scott was born his family moved to Australia. 2016

A Perfect Circle’s “Eat The Elephant” is #3 on the Billboard 200 becoming the band’s fourth consecutive studio album to debut in the Top 5. It’s also #1 on the Billboard Rock, Independent and Alternative Albums charts.  The album marks the band’s return after a 14-year absence.    2018

KISS’ Paul Stanley rolls out his second book, “Backstage Pass,” via HarperOne. According to Stanley his book goes into “how I accomplished what I’ve accomplished and what my approach is.”  2019

Panic At The Disco’s Brendon Urie receives the Key to the City of Las Vegas on the eve of his band’s performances at the Billboard Music Awards.  It’s the Vegas act’s first appearance on an awards show.  2019