March 29, 2024

This Day in History: 2024-08-14

AUGUST 14th

“Who’s Next,” The Who’s fifth U.S. album is released. It started as a Rock opera called “Lifehouse.” When that doesn’t pan out, guitarist Pete Townshend takes songs from the aborted project plus additional tracks to complete the album. It contains the classics “Baba O’Riley” (“Teenage Wasteland”), ” Behind Blue Eyes” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” 1971

Soundgarden’s “Down On The Upside” is certified platinum (one million copies sold). The album was released only two months earlier. 1996

Smashing Pumpkins “Siamese Dream” album peaks at #10. The album has the biting track “Disarm.” 1993

Later, the album is certified 4× platinum in the U.S. and sells over six million copies worldwide.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash is born. Prior to CSN, Crosby was a founding member of The Byrds. 1941

Guitarist Kevin Cadogan (Third Eye Blind) is born in Oakland, CA. 1970

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” opens in the U.K.  The film, a horror musical comedy drawing from science fiction and 1930’s B-movies, stars Tim Curry (Dr. Frank-N-Furter), Susan Sarandon (Janet) and Barry Bostwick (Brad). 1975

After spending one week at #1 on the Billboard 200 in April and July, and three weeks in August, “Frampton Comes Alive!” returns for an extended five-week stand at the top.  1976

Crosby Stills & Nash’s “Daylight Again” goes platinum. The hit song from the album “Wasted On The Way” could serve as a commentary on the group`s career. 1982

Rage Against The Machine play a concert outside the Democratic Convention in L.A. “(This is) for all the people who feel left out and excluded by the two major parties,” says the group in a statement. “For those who feel they must settle for the ‘lesser of two evils’ (George Bush or Al Gore). 2000

Drowning Pool vocalist (from ’99 to ’02), Dave Williams, is found dead on the band’s tour bus in Manassas, VA. The 30-year-old singer dies from cardiomyopathy, a heart disease. 2002

Guitarist Wes Borland officially rejoins Limp Bizkit, replacing Mike Smith.  Borland left Bizkit in ’03. 2004

Marilyn Manson announces that Borland has joined his group. 2008

Jackson Browne sues presidential candidate John McCain and the Republican National Committee for copyright infringement and violation of right of publicity. At issue is the use of “Running On Empty” in a TV ad that attacks Democratic challenger Barack Obama’s comments promoting gas conservation. Browne states the commercial is also misleading, implying that he endorses the Republican senator. Browne is a lifelong Democrat. 2008

“Check My Brain,” the second single from Alice In Chains’ “Black Gives Way To Blue” album, is released. The song goes to #1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. 2009

“It Might Get Loud,” an electric guitar-themed documentary that focuses on U2’s the Edge, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and White Stripes’ Jack White, is in theaters. Page debuts two songs in the film.   2009

“Macbeth is about twice as bloody as anything I would do,” says Alice Cooper reacting to a concert ban by the conservative managers of a Tampere, Finland arena. They deem Cooper an “artist who express suspicious values.” The concert is relocated to a more favorable location. 2009

Avenged Sevenfold’s album “Nightmare” is #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.  It’s the group’s first chart topper selling 163,000 units in the previous week.  2010

Black Sabbath are presented with double gold disc awards for their “13” album prior to the band’s concert in Toronto. 2013

Allen Lanier, a founding member of Blue Oyster Cult, dies from complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “Ultimately smoking finally got to him,” writes BOC frontman Eric Bloom on Facebook. 2013

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassists Flea condemns the removal of music education from schools as “child abuse.”  He believes it’s almost certain President Donald Trump’s administration will enforce further funding cuts. To support music education, Flea launched L.A.’s Silverlake Conservatory of Music in ’01.  2017

Succumbing to mental health issues, Huntress frontwoman Jill Janus commits suicide near Portland, OR. “The devastation of knowing I will never see her again is the most gutting emotion I have ever experienced,” writes Huntress guitarist Blake Meahl. Janus was 43. 2018

A collection of classic cars that belonged to late Rush drummer Neil Peart sell for a total of $3.9 million at Pebble Beach Auctions. 2021