April 18, 2024

This Day in History: 2024-10-18

ROCKTOBER 18th

The Jimi Hendrix Experience play their first gig.  They are a supporting act in Paris for French pop star Johnny Hallyday. 1966

Soundgarden’s “Superunknown” goes triple platinum (sales over 3-million). 1994

Sales of the band’s fourth album reaches the six-million mark 18 years later.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

The father of Rock n’ Roll, Chuck Berry, is born. 1926

Gary Richrath is born in Peoria, IL. The REO Speedwagon guitarist stays with the band from ’71 until ’89. 1949

Paul McCartney plays his first show with the Quarrymen. He blows the solo on “Guitar Boogie.” The Quarrymen eventually become The Beatles and Paul switches to bass. 1957

Huey Lewis & The News have the #1 album in the U.S. with “Fore.”  The band’s fourth effort contains “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Hip To Be Square” and “Stuck With You.” 1986

Guns N’ Roses, opening for the Rolling Stones in L.A., are not up to par, due to drug use, and that sends vocalist Axl Rose around the bend leading him to threaten, onstage, to quit the group. 1989

Bob Seger is inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk. 1994

Marilyn Manson, opening for Nine Inch Nails, is banned (for moral reasons) from performing in Salt Lake City. Still, N.I.N. leader Trent Reznor invites Manson onstage and explains why Manson’s group isn’t playing that evening. In the process, Reznor shreds “The Book of Mormon” and tosses it into the crowd. 1994

George Michael (Wham!) buys the piano John Lennon used to write “Imagine” at auction for $2.1 million.   2000

Following a DNA test, Bush’s Gavin Rossdale confirms that he is the father of 15-year-old British model Daisy Lowe. The admission is particularly difficult for Rossdale’s then-wife, Gwen Stefani, who is reportedly “devastated” by the news. 2004

Aerosmith play the first of two make-up shows required in a settlement that resulted from legal action instigated by fans over a canceled concert in Maui two years earlier.  Aerosmith’s management claimed the band bowed out of the show for logistical reasons. However, the lawyer involved in the suit countered that the band was able to play apparently more lucrative shows in Chicago and Honolulu that same week.  2009

“Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It” premieres on VH1. The reality series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Poison vocalist. 2010

“The Sound Of Winter,” the second single from Bush’s album, “The Sea Of Memories,” is #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs. It’s the band’s first Alt. chart topper since ’99. 2011

During Disturbed’s concert Midland, TX, a woman in the audience tosses her bra on stage. “Jesus Christ, is that from you?” singer David Draiman asks. “Now, I want you to know, this woman’s boobs are so big, she could solve world hunger,” says Draiman. Later, he thanks the woman by handing her a t-shirt. A class act all the way. 2016

Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe reports that he’s auctioned off his Grammy medallion and certificate for the band’s ‘06 single “Redneck.” It goes for $3,050 with all funds going to Blythe’s sister-in-law Bianca, who is battling Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer.  2018

The Rolling Stones open RS No. 9 pop-up stores in New York City and Los Angeles. The stores mark the first time the brand is available outside the United Kingdom.   2023

Staind frontman Aaron Lewis takes to Instagram to post a photo of him and three fellow hunters spelling out “Trump 24” using what appears to be 32 dead coyotes.  The post generates numerous negative comments.  2023

Dwight Twilley, power-pop pioneer best known for the song “I’m On Fire” dies at age 72.  2023