This Day in History: 2024-10-04

ROCKTOBER 4^th

There’s a bathroom on the right.  Featuring the song “Bad Moon Rising” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River” is #1 on the Billboard Album Chart. 1969

“Wish You Were Here,” is #1 on the Billboard 200.  Pink Floyd’s ninth album has the title track and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a song inspired by the band’s founder Syd Barrett.  1975

Nickelback’s “All The Right Reasons” drops. 2005

With over 7-million copies sold it is one of the best-selling albums of all time in the U.S.

Duff McKagan’s memoir, “It’s So Easy: And Other Lies” is available in bookstores. “On a lot of accounts I shouldn’t even be here,” says the ex-Guns N’ Roses bassist. “Cocaine was the drug that made me be able to do more drugs and drink more and so when I quit I was really proud of myself.” 2011

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The Beatles make their first appearance on the British teen pop music show Ready Steady Go! They lip-synch “She Loves You” and “Twist And Shout.” 1963

Janis Joplin dies from what is termed an “accidental heroin overdose.” 1970

Carla Harvey, vocalist for Butcher Babies, is born in Detroit.  Harvey is also an author, artist and actress. 1976

Marc Roberge, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for O.A.R., is born in Silver Springs, MD. 1978

Queen’s thumping, bass driven, “Another One Bites The Dust” tops the pop chart. 1980

Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks present a platinum record to the USC Marching Band for their contributions to “Tusk.” 1980

Muggers attack CBS News anchor Dan Rather and yell “what’s the frequency Kenneth?” Later, R.E.M. turns this bizarre incident into a song. 1986

Smashing Pumpkins release their “Pisces Iscariot” album. 1994

Ozzy Osbourne writes a letter to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame requesting that Black Sabbath’s name be removed from the list of nominees. “Black Sabbath have never been media darlings,” writes the Prince of Darkness. “We’re a people’s band and that suits us just fine.” Somebody must have paid attention because Sabbath isn’t inducted until ’06 (after their 8th nomination). 1999

Elton John rips Madonna for allegedly lip-synching in concert. “Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay to see them should be shot,” states John. 2004

Dave Grohl fulfills his promise to drink a beer with an Australian miner named Brant Webb who asked to hear Foo Fighters music while he was trapped underground for nearly two weeks. Grohl performs a new instrumental song called “The Ballad Of Beaconsfield Miners” during the a acoustic concert in Sydney. After the show Grohl hooks up with Webb and his friends for a brew or two. 2006

Theory Of A Deadman score their first #1 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks with “Bad Girlfriend.” For the next three-weeks the song trades the top spot with Metallica’s “The Day That Never Comes.” 2008

Nearly 50,000 fans attend Bruce Springsteen’s free performance in Philadelphia, the first of three appearances in support of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. “(Our country) needs someone with Senator Obama’s understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, compassion, toughness, and faith, to help us rebuild our house once again,” says the Boss during his set.  2008

Bret Michaels is the “Face of Diabetes” during the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Month. The reality TV star and former Poison singer has lived with Type 1 diabetes since the age of six. 2010

In time for Halloween. “Nothing Left To Fear,” the first horror movie from Slash’s production company, Slasher Films, is in theaters. “The special effects people are great, the cast is great, the story’s great – everything’s great about it,” claims the GN’R guitarist. 2013

Folsom city officials dedicate the first phase of the Johnny Cash Trail and Overpass in honor of the classic “At Folsom Prison” album Cash recorded live in ’68. 2014

Paul Revere, organist and leader of Paul Revere & The Raiders passes away at his home in Idaho at the age of 76. 2014

Former Flyleaf singer Lacey Sturm publishes her memoir, “The Mystery: Finding True Love In A World Of Broken Lovers.” The book touches on the topics of love, relationships, divorce and depression.  2016

Slipknot guitarist Jim Root undergoes disk replacement surgery — two days after the band’s headlining performance at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, KY. “[It] seems as if fractured vertebrae and hemorrhaged disks are an occupational hazard for Metal bands,” Root writes on Instagram.  2016

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich says that he might consider returning to his native Denmark if Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election. Ulrich, who moved to the U.S. in ‘80, when he was 17 years old, is a Danish citizen.  2016

Pearl Jam announce that its Home Shows initiative (concerts and fundraisers) has netted $10.8 million that is distributed to nearly 100 organizations working to fight homelessness in Seattle and King County. More than 170 business and philanthropic partners along with thousands of individuals contribute.  2018

Slipknot’s “Psychosocial” is certified gold in the U.K. having moved 400,000 units. The song is from the “All Hope Is Gone” album.  2021