This Day in History: 2023-08-24

AUGUST 24th

The Rolling Stones release “Tattoo You.” From the album, “Start Me Up” is driven into the ground at professional sporting events, especially football.  But that’s not all… 1981

Commercials for Microsoft’s Windows ’95, using the Rolling Stones “Start Me Up.” are broadcast.  1995

Initial reports claim Microsoft paid $12-million for the rights to use the song… actually, it was closer to $3-million.

Alice In Chains release “Rainier Fog.” The set was recorded in L.A., Nashville, and for the first time in more than 20 years, in the band’s hometown of Seattle. 2018

Slipknot’s “We Are Not Your Kind” sells 118,000 copies in its first week to top the Billboard 200 chart.  2019

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Anthrax vocalist, John Bush, is born in L.A. He joins Anthrax in ’92, replacing Joey Belladonna. 1963

Guitarist Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) is born. 1968

Steppenwolf’s landmark single “Born To Be Wild” peaks at #2 on the U.S. pop chart (behind the Rascals “People Gotta Be Free”). The song, written by Mars Bonfire (aka Dennis Edmonton, the brother of Steppenwolf drummer Jerry Edmonton), soon becomes a classic. 1968

Bruce Springsteen makes the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. This is three years after Springsteen’s face was featured on Time and Newsweek. 1978

Love is all around. “The Power Of Love” (Huey Lewis & The News) powers to #1 on the Billboard chart. Also, Heart makes a comeback with the single “What About Love.” It peaks at #10. 1985

The Who perform “Tommy” at the Universal Amphitheater in L.A. as part of their 25^th anniversary tour, with help from Elton John, Steve Winwood, Patti LaBelle, Phil Collins and Billy Idol. Sure, it’s overblown, but it’s opera. 1989

In the old days KISS painted the town. Now, guitarist Paul Stanley has his original artwork exhibited in Wailea, Hawaii. The paintings are subsequently shown at other U.S. galleries. 2005

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and pop star Leona Lewis perform in London a lyrically altered rendition of Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” shown at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. As a Brit, Page symbolically helps pass the torch from Beijing to London, which will host the ’12 Summer Olympics. 2008

U2’s Bono meets with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow. Over tea they discuss world issues, including HIV/AIDS efforts in Africa. But there are also great differences. “I come here to cross the great divide between me, a Led Zeppelin fan, and you, the Deep Purple fan,” Bono tells Medvedev. Fortunately, the pair avoid a ‘communication breakdown’. U2 is in Moscow for their first-ever Russian concert. 2010

The 10th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute is held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Rob Zombie hosts and leads a tribute band. Proceeds from the event benefit the Johnny Ramone Foundation. 2014

A full-size statue of late Motorhead icon Lemmy is unveiled in his favorite haunt, the Rainbow Bar & Grill in L.A.  2016

Moody’s Medicinals, founded by Five Finger Death Punch’s Ivan Moody, announce $10k donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (Moody matches with a personal donation of $10k), Food Recovery Network and USA Skateboarding!    2021

Nirvana’s “Nevermind” album cover of a naked baby in a pool reaching for a dollar bill is classic.  Spencer Elden, the four-month-old baby pictured, now an adult, files a suit against the band and the photographer in United States District Court in the Central District of California claiming child sexual exploitation and asserts that the image is child pornography. He also seeks a large sum in damages.  A judge later rules in Nirvana’s favor. 2021

Legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies in London at the age of 80.  Originally trained as a graphic artist, he started playing drums in London’s R&B clubs before joining the Stones in ’63. 2021

Megadeth are presented with plaques to commemorate the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) certification for platinum sales of ‘92’s “Symphony Of Destruction” and the gold status of ‘86’s “Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?” and ‘90’s “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due.”  The presentation follows a concert at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA. 2022