March 28, 2024

This Day in History: 2024-07-17

JULY 17th

A colorful cartoon-style drawing of the Beatles and other characters from the Yellow Submarine film

The animated film “Yellow Submarine” premieres in the U.K. Based loosely on John Lennon/Paul McCartney songs, the animated Beatles take on the Blue Meanies to save Pepperland or some such thing. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison attend. Ringo Starr, who sang the title track, is absent. 1968

Judas Preist release its eighth studio album, “Screaming For Vengeance.” 1982

The set goes platinum in the U.S. on the strength of the title track, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.” and “Electric Eye.”

Tn Aerosmith - Cryin.jpeg

Aerosmith have the #1 song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart with “Cryin’.”  1993

The song stays atop the chart of six weeks.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Bassist Terry “Geezer” Butler is born in Birmingham, England. He’s a founding member of Black Sabbath (with guitarist Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne). 1949

Spencer Davis is born. He lends his name and guitar talents to the Spencer Davis Group (best known for the ’60’s hit “Gimme Some Lovin'” – a song Davis co-wrote with Steve and Muff Winwood). 1942

Ron Asheton, guitarist and bassist for Iggy Pop & The Stooges (’72-’74), is born in Washington, D.C. 1948

Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses begin a joint tour in Hoffman Estates, IL. What’s interesting is the Aerosmith rider that requires Guns N’ Roses to confine their drug and alcohol use (abuse) to their dressing room. The recovering Aerosmith don’t want temptation within sight. 1988

Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Faith No More launch a misbegotten tour in Washington, D.C.  Before the tour is done, Metallica’s James Hetfield suffers severe burns from onstage pyrotechnics, GN’R’s Axl Rose has serious throat and vocal cord troubles and Faith No More, wanting off the trek, get fired before they have a chance to quit.  The stadium tour grosses more than $25 million and is a financial success for Metallica, not so for GN’R.  According to GN’R guitarist Slash about 80% of their earnings are lost due to Rose’s extravagant spending, which includes backstage parties at every show, as well as the band being fined heavily for their many late appearances.  1992

The Animals’ bassist and the man who discovered Jimi Hendrix (and became his manager), Chas Chandler, dies at age 57. 1996

Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is kicked out of the group following the death of keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin. Chamberlin and Melvoin were shooting heroin together when Melvoin OD’d. Later, a cleaned-up Chamberlin rejoins the Pumpkins for a brief stint before they break up. 1996

Onstage at the Aladdin hotel/casino in Las Vegas, Linda Ronstadt praises Michael Moore and his movie “Fahrenheit 9/11 “(which is highly critical of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq) and dedicates the song “Desperado” to the film maker. Some audience members complain and do damage, so the casino hastily ends Ronstadt’s run at the hotel. 2004

Beck’s “Modern Guilt” moves 84,000 units in its first week to debut at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart.  2008

Santana plays Woodstock – again! During Carlos Santana’s first show in Bethel, NY, since the famous ’69 festival, he pauses to reminisce in front of 15,000 fans. “All of us who were here remember the magic,” says Santana. “Only love can conquer hate. This is Woodstock. This is the place where miracles can happen.” 2010

Limp Bizkit are forced to cancel its planned European tour over “personal health concerns” related to the band’s frontman, Fred Durst. “(The decision was) based on medical advice given by my personal physician to take an immediate break from touring,” states Durst.  2022