This Day in History: 2024-07-07

JULY 7th

Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.” is #1 on the Billboard 200. The set features the title track, “Glory Days” and “Dancing In The Dark.”  1984David Lee Roth (Van Halen) releases his debut full-length solo album, “Eat ‘Em And Smile.”  It sells over 2-million copies in the U.S.  1986

Bon Jovi’s “Lost Highway” drives straight to the #1 on the Billboard 200. It moves 288,000 copies in its debut week, well ahead of the White Stripes “Icky Thump,” which sells 223,000 units to land at #2. 2007

Stone Sour’s “Hydrograd” debuts at #8 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. It’s their 5^th straight Top 10 album.  “Hydrograd” also debuts at #1 on the Top Current Albums chart, the Top Rock Albums chart and the Top Hard Rock Albums Chart.  2017

Iron Maiden receive a gold disc in recognition of “Senjutsu” selling over 100,000 physical copies in the U.K.  The presentation is made during the first of two sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena.  2023

The album peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with first week sales of 64,000 album units.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Ringo Starr, one of the all-time great drummers and an integral (and affable) part of The Beatles success, has a birthday. He’s born Richard Starkey in Liverpool. 1940

The Yardbirds play their final show.  They perform at the Luton Technical College in Bedfordshire, England. The New Yardbirds, with guitarist Jimmy Page, roll out a short time later to fulfill some concert obligations. The New Yardbirds morph into Led Zeppelin (who coincidentally, also play their final concert on this date twelve years later – see below). 1968

Billy Preston’s “Will It Go Round In Circles” is #1. 1973

Led Zeppelin’s final concert with their original line-up is at Eissporthalle in Berlin. 1980

Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates is born with the name Brian Elwin Haner Jr.   1981

Former Pink Floyd leader Syd Barrett passes away at age 60 following a long battle with diabetes. The singer-guitarist was a founding member and wrote the majority the group’s ’67 debut album, “The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn.” He left Floyd the following year after suffering a drug-induced mental breakdown. “Syd was the guiding light of the early band lineup and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire,” reads a statement from the group. 2006

The Smashing Pumpkins, Bon Jovi, KoЯn, The Police and ex-Pink Floyd leader Roger Waters perform in East Rutherford, NJ at the U.S. edition of the Live Earth concert series. The London line-up has Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, Gensis and Metallica. The international concerts, co-organized by former vice president Al Gore, raise awareness about global climate change. The concerts are on the 7th day of the 7th month and take place in 7 cities. Nifty. 2007

“I Don’t Wanna Stop” is Ozzy Osbourne’s first #1 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. The song ends an eight-week run by Linkin Park’s “What I’ve Done.” 2007

 Jon Bon Jovi’s Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, the Saturn car company and Detroit’s branch of Habitat for Humanity announces the construction of the first of five Detroit area low-income homes. Bon Jovi calls the construction “dreams in the making.” 2008

Dave Grohl’s hometown of Warren, OH present their favorite son with two 900-pound drumsticks during a Foo Fighters concert at the Warren Amphitheater. The poplar drumsticks are initially housed at the theater before being moved to the city’s Dave Grohl Alley. The sticks are also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. 2012

Panic! At The Disco earns its second #1 on the Billboard 200 with “Pray For The Wicked” (‘16’s “Death Of A Bachelor” was the first). Opening week sales of 180,000 equivalent album units includes 151,000 traditional album sales. 2018

Ghost is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart with “Rats.”  It is the band’s second #1, following ‘17’s “Square Hammer.”  2018

The Pretty Reckless announce the cancelation of three concerts on its co-headlining tour with Halestorm after singer Taylor Momsen tests positive for COVID-19. “Despite our best efforts, COVID finally bit,” reads the band’s statement.  2022