This Day in History: 2024-12-01

DECEMBER 1^st

Pearl Jam’s classic album “Ten,” containing “Jeremy,” passes the 6-million sales mark. 1992

Two decades later “Ten” crosses the 10-million threshold.

U2’s 14th studio album, “Songs Of Experience,” arrives.  It sells 180,000 total copies in its first week of release becoming their 8th #1 on the Billboard 200.  2017

U2 is the only act to score a chart-topping album in the 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s and 2010’s.

Creed’s power ballad “With Arms Wide Open,” off the band’s ‘99 album “Human Clay,” is certified a double platinum single by the RIAA for over two million certified digital units. 2021

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

The Doors drummer, John Densmore, is born. 1945

Blue Oyster Cult’s Eric Bloom has a birthday and begins the countdown to whether Godzilla or the Reaper gets him. 1951

Ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland has a birthday.  1957

“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” is released.  Recorded in “fits and starts” the album goes Gold in the U.S. four months later but doesn’t hit platinum (1-million copies) until late ’86.  1973

The Sex Pistols on Today, a British talk show. The presenter, Bill Grundy, taunts the band and Glenn Matlock lets the f-word fly. The Sex Pistols are banned as concert promoters cancel dates. For his part in all this, Grundy gets fired. 1976

Linkin Park lead guitarist, Brad Delson, is born in L.A. 1977

It’s World AIDS Day. Bidding begins on Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica signed guitars for the LIFEbeat organization’s “Bid 2 Beat AIDS” auction. 2005

The White Stripes are the first group to perform on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. “We’ve never had a musical performance on the show before — not because we haven’t wanted one — but because we were holding out for a reunited Spandau Ballet,” host John Stewart jokes in a statement. “This will have to suffice.” 2005

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Elton John is a guest editor for The Independent, a U.K. newspaper. “I’m pleased to get the chance to put the subject of AIDS at the top of the editorial agenda,” says Elton in a statement. Proceeds from the day’s circulation revenues benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Meanwhile, U2’s Bono says that the global recession is hampering efforts to combat AIDS. “In recessionary times, people have to tell their politicians this is important to them.” 2010

Sean Yseult’s “I’m In the Band: Backstage Notes from the Chick in White Zombie” is out in paperback. Yseult was White Zombie’s bassist. 2010

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd is convicted on minor drug charges in his hometown of Tauranga, New Zealand. He was caught with just under an ounce of marijuana. Though fined a mere £122 (about $200 U.S.), the conviction makes it difficult for him to travel on AC/DC’s extensive world tours. 2010

The Killers release a special holiday single titled “I Feel It in My Bones” to coincide with World AIDS Day. Proceeds from the track benefit the RED campaign. The Killers annually produce a holiday single for charity. 2012

The Killers return a year later with “Christmas In L.A.,” with proceeds again benefitting the R.E.D. Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. “The song is about a struggling actor in L.A. (played by Owen Wilson) who misses the traditional Christmas,” says frontman Brandon Flowers. 2013

Artist Martin Sharp, designer of the groundbreaking album covers for Cream’s “Disraeli Gears” and “Wheels Of Fire,” passes away from emphysema at his home in New South Wales, Australia. He also designed album covers and concert posters for Jimi Hendrix Bob Dylan and Donovan and co-wrote the lyrics to Cream’s “Tales Of Brave Ulysses.” 2013

(RED) Letter Day. U2 Minus 1 (less Bono) perform in Times Square on World AIDS Day (RED) benefit. Because Bono is recuperating from a bicycle injury, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Bruce Springsteen fill in. Former President Bill Clinton talks about the battle against AIDS and introduces the band. 2014

The Killers debut “Joel, The Lump of Cole,” their Jimmy Kimmel-assisted holiday single on late night’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, The track is the band’s ninth annual Christmas single for (RED). 2014

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl is guest star on ABC’s “The Muppets.” Grohl appears as himself in the episode titled “Going, Going, Gonzo.” He performs “Learn To Fly” and challenges Animal to a drum-off. 2015

The first annual (RED) “Shopathon” is launched in honor of World AIDS Day and Giving Tuesday. “Justice often calls for the power of strange bedfellows, which is why (Shopathon) RED is where you’ll see everyone from Bill Gates to Snoop Dogg campaigning to get closer to finishing AIDS once and for all,” says U2’s Bono, who is also RED’s founder and CEO.  2015

Former Stone Temple Pilots’ Scott Weiland plays what turns out to be his last concert at Toronto’s Adelaide Hall with his solo band The Wildabouts. The singer dies two days later. 2015

Who owns Ratt?  A federal court dismisses counterclaims by drummer Bobby Blotzer in a lawsuit related to the ownership and use of the Ratt trademark. A judgment is entered in favor of Ratt’s general partnership — which includes Ratt’s other original members Stephen Pearcy (vocals) and Juan Croucier (bass).  Blozter had been touring and selling merchandise under the Ratt banner. 2018

Guns N’ Roses sues an online gun store called Texas Guns and Roses for unspecified damages alleging, in L.A. federal court, that the seller attempted to con consumers into believing that the website is associated with the band by using “selected and adopted defendant’s marks for the purpose of confusing consumers into believing that it was connected or associated with, or licensed by, GN’R.”  The suit seeks unspecified damages and a court order prohibiting the use of the website name.  2022