This Day in History: 2024-08-04

AUGUST 4th

“Purple Rain” is #1 on the Billboard 200.  1983

The Prince & The Revolution album holds the top spot for twenty-two weeks.

Billy Idol’s “Cradle Of Love” peaks at #2 on the Billboard’s Hot 100t. 1990

Pop singer Mariah Carey’s “Vision Of Love” keeps Idol out of the top spot.

Metallica tops Nielsen’s list of the top 100 Recordings of the SoundScan Era (starting in ’91). Their self- titled “Black” album has sold nearly 16-million copies. 2013

Hoobastank’s single “The Reason” is certified for over four-million units shipped (4 x platinum).  2021

It is the title track from the band’s ’03 album.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Everly Brothers appear on The Ed Sullivan Show to sing “Wake Up Little Susie,” a song about falling asleep on a date (sure, that could happen). Some radio stations ban the song. The brothers also perform the less controversial “Bye Bye Love.” 1957

#1 with a bullet! Billboard begins its Hot 100 singles chart. The Hot 100 is based on sales and radio play. The inaugural #1 song is “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky (later Rick) Nelson. 1958

The Kinks release the single, “You Really Got Me” in the U.K.  The first Heavy Metal record? 1964

Soulfly’s Massimiliano Antonio ‘Max’ Cavalera is born. 1969

“New Miserable Experience,” the second studio album by Gin Blossoms, is released.  Led by “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You,” the set goes on to sell over 5-million copies. 1992

The city of Cincinnati lifts its 25-year-old ban on general admission seating that was enacted after 11 people were trampled to death prior to a ’79 concert by The Who. 2004

Jon Bon Jovi delivers the keynote speech at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Washington D.C. “I’ve done it all but I got more of a rush when I went to the Northern Home for Children (in Philadelphia),” state Bon Jovi. “We built a playground.” 2005

Slipknot doesn’t get it their way. They threaten Burger King with legal action over a new advertising campaign that features a mock mask-wearing Metal group. In a cease-and-desist letter sent to the fast-food chain, Slipknot contend that Burger King created the ‘look-alike, sound-alike band’ in order to influence the Slipknot generation to purchase chicken fries.” As expected, Burger King claims the campaign does not violate Slipknot’s trademark rights. All legal action is eventually dropped. 2005

Spirit keyboardist, John Locke, dies from complications due to lymphoma. 2006

In an open letter, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee criticizes House of Blues president Ron Bension for joining the SeaWorld board. Lee has been a long-time critic of SeaWorld. “Please, save the orcas and your reputation by urging SeaWorld to build sanctuaries where these animals could feel ocean currents, hear wild pods, and still be cared for as long as they need,” writes Lee.  2016

After a Fall Out Boy team member tests positive for COVID-19 the band cancels New York and Boston shows (“out of an abundance of caution”) on the Hella Mega tour with Green Day and Weezer.  2021