This Day in History: 2023-10-27

ROCKTOBER 27^th

The blistering “Ace Of Spades” is released in the U.K. The Mötörhead album title track reaches #15 on the U.K. Singles chart. 1980  

“Rattle And Hum,” the U2 documentary, has its world premiere in Dublin. 1988

Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” is #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Selling in the neighborhood of 170,000 copies in its first week, it’s Rock’s first chart topping album. 2007

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Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing rocks into the world. The guitarist hails from Hill Top in West Bromwich, England. 1951

The name is Bon, Simon LeBon. The Duran Duran vocalist has a birthday. He is born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, but raised in and around London. 1958

Late singer Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots) enters the world. Santa Cruz, CA is his hometown. 1967

Bruce Springsteen appears on the covers of both “Time” and “Newsweek” magazines. Howls of hype rise but Springsteen has the talent to survive. 1975

Elina Siirala has a birthday.  She is the vocalist for Leaves’ Eyes.   1983

Survivor is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart with “I Can’t Hold Back.”  1984

Damageplan launch their “Devastation Across the Nation” North American tour in Atlanta. Guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell states, “We are going to blow the roof off.” However, it is while on this tour that ‘Dimebag’ is shot and killed (12/8/04) in Columbus, OH. 2004

Elvis Presley is #1 on the Top-Earning Dead Celebrities List for the second year in a row with a take of $52 million – mostly generated from the 30th anniversary of his death and various licensing deals. 2008

Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage” goes to #10 on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs.  It’s the group’s first Top 10 song on the chart in nearly five years.  The track is also the band’s fourth #1 on Hard Rock Digital Song Sales.  2016

Kid Rock lashes out at Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler for his decision to join the judges panel on “American Idol,” the singing competition. “It’s the stupidest thing he’s ever done in his life,” says Rock. “He needs some serious counseling. I love him to death, but I gotta speak the truth.” Tyler responds, “he’s just jealous, he’s just jealous.” A few days later, Godsmack’s Sully Erna calls Tyler’s move brilliant. “I think he’s gonna be the male Paula Abdul, ’cause he’s a little bit dingy, you know what I mean?! He’s probably all pilled up.” Tyler joins Randy Jackson and fellow newbie Jennifer Lopez on the “Idol” panel. 2010

Lou Reed, co-founder of the Velvet Underground, dies at age 71. 2013

Carrie Brownstein, Sleater-Kinney guitarist and “Portlandia” star, publishes her memoir, “Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl.” The title is taken from a lyric in the Sleater-Kinney song “Modern Girl.” 2015

Disturbed’s version of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound Of Silence” is featured in a NASA video that was filmed aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 53.  2017

Linkin Park plays a special show in honor of its late bandmate Chester Bennington. The Hollywood Bowl celebration marks the first time the band performs on stage together since Bennington’s suicide the previous July.  2017

Mötley Crüe confirms that John 5 (John William Lowery) is the band’s new guitarist – replacing co-founding guitarist Mick Mars who retired due to his ongoing struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.). John 5 worked with David Lee Roth (Van Halen) and Marilyn Manson prior to an extended run with Rob Zombie.  2022

Butcher Babies perform for the first time without co-vocalist Carla Harvey who has to undergo emergency eye surgery to resolve a longstanding condition. Co-vocalist Heidi Shepherd takes the lead for the Nottingham, U.K. concert.  2023