This Day in History: 2024-11-08

NOVEMBER 8^th

Led Zeppelin issue “Untitled” (aka “Led Zeppelin IV”) arrives.  The album features “Stairway To Heaven,” “Black Dog” and “Rock N’ Roll.”  The four symbols on the album represent each band member.  1971

Queen’s third album “Sheer Heart Attack,” with “Killer Queen,” is out.  1974

“Ace Of Spades,” the fourth studio album by Mötörhead, is released.  Containing the classic title track it’s the band’s U.S. debut set. 1980

Bruce Springsteen lands his first #1 when “The River” tops the Billboard 200.  1980

The double set containing the hit “Hungry Heart” has a four-week run at the top.

Evanescence’s “The Open Door” is certified platinum. According to singer Amy Lee the songs cover “a broader range of emotions” than the band’s previous efforts — “not just pain and sadness, but also anger and, yes, even happiness.” 2006

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

Bonnie Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie fame is born. 1944

Electric Light Orchestra’s (E.L.O.) Roy Wood has a birthday. 1946

Something to talk about. Bonnie Raitt, the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt, is born in Burbank, CA. 1949

Led by “Island Girl,” Elton John’s tenth studio album “Rock Of The Westies” is #1 on the Billboard 200.  1975

David Bowie makes his U.S. television debut on CBS’ variety show Cher performing “Fame.”  1975

Laura Jane Grace. the founder, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of Against Me! enters the world.  1980

The Pretenders’ “Don’t Get Me Wrong” is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.  1986

The Police career retrospective “Every Breath You Take – The Singles” tops the U.K. album charts and nails the #7 spot in the U.S. 1986

Oasis is named the Best Act in the World at the Q Awards in London. Vocalist Liam Gallagher celebrates in fine fashion. He gets into a scuffle with a news photographer, argues publicly with his girlfriend then gets arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine. Perhaps he should have stayed at home with a good book. 1996

U2 release their single “Vertigo.” Though it only goes to #31 on the Billboard 100 the song does top the Alternative Airplay chart. 2004

The official four disc “Live 8” DVD is available in the U.S. The Live 8 concerts were held around the globe earlier in the year to raise awareness of African poverty and AIDS. The set includes performances by Green Day, Linkin Park and Velvet Revolver, among others. 2005

Limp Bizkit’s “Greatest Hitz” has a couple new songs as well as favorites, “Nookie” and “Break Stuff.”  2005

AC/DC’s “Black Ice” sells 193,000 copies in its first day of release to top the Billboard 200 chart. The band’s first album in eight years is exclusively available at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and ACDC.com.  2008

Slipknot’s “.5: The Gray Chapter” tops both the U.S. and Canadian album charts. It’s the group’s first album since ’08’s “All Hope Is Gone” and their first since the death of founding bassist Paul Gray and the dismissal of drummer Joey Jordinson. 2014

Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe is the victim of a gang attack in Dublin, Ireland. He sustains minor injuries when he’s assaulted hours before his band launches a tour of the British Isles with Megadeth. 2015

Authored by Bad Religion’s Greg Graffin, “Population Wars,” a “paradigm-shifting book about why humans behave the way they do,” is available. 2015

Pittsburgh native and Poison frontman Bret Michaels honors active-duty service members and veterans during the “Salute To Service” on Monday Night Football as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Chicago Bears. “Salute To Service,” an annual NFL initiative, honors the nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. Michaels late father was a vet.  2021

“Led Zeppelin IV” receives a 24x multi-platinum (24-million units moved) award.  The album was released in ’71 (see above). 2021

A limited-edition Metallica 40^th anniversary ring is available for $400. Made of silver and brass only 40 are produced. 2021

Nazareth’s co-founding singer Dan McCafferty dies at the age of 76. The band is best known for “Love Hurts.”  2022