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
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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 25th 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