Today in Rock History

ROCKTOBER 5^th

"Led Zeppelin III” is released. Following the masterful bombast of “Led Zeppelin II” the numerous acoustic songs on "III" confuse critics and anger fans.  Even so, the album tops the Billboard 200 and moves over two-million copies.  1970

Guns N’ Roses own the top two positions on the Billboard 200 with "Use Your Illusion I & II."  1991

It's “Use Your Illusion II,” with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” that tops the album chart.

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Guitarist/singer Steve Miller (Steve Miller Band) is born in Milwaukee. 1943

AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson is born in Dunston, Gateshead, England. In '80, a few days after an audition, he replaces the deceased Bon Scott. Johnson's first album with the group, "Back In Black," is their best-selling disc. 1947

Irish singer, songwriter, actor and political activist, Sir Bob Geldof (Robert Frederick Xenon Geldof), enters the world. The Boomtown Rats founder launches Band Aid in '84 to help starving children in Ethiopia. 1951

The Beatles release their first single, "Love Me Do." 1962

Cream begins its "farewell tour" of the U.S. in Oakland. 1968

Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man" peaks without reaching the Top 40. It is banned in some cities out of fear the song might incite riots or civil unrest. 1968

The Beach Boys “Endless Summer,” a hits compilation covering the band's ‘62–‘65 period, tops the Billboard 200.  1974

James Burgon Valentine has a birthday. The Lincoln, NE, native is Maroon 5's lead guitarist. 1978

The soundtrack to The Who's bio flick "The Kids Are Alright" goes platinum. 1979

“Believe,” Disturbed’s second studio album and follow-up to “The Sickness,” tops the Billboard 200.  2002

KoЯn releases their "Greatest Hits - Volume One.” 2004

Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars undergoes hip-replacement surgery after suffering from a degenerative disease that damages ligaments, tendons and bones. 2004

Even Flow. Pearl Jam play an intimate show at Chicago's House Of Blues to raise funds for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. "It's good to know people still know how to have fun with their money," jokes PJ’s Eddie Vedder. Tickets for the one-off charity gig go for $1,000 each with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and Jazz Foundation of America. 2005

Alter Bridge unfurl their sophomore effort "Blackbird." Lead single, "Rise Today," is the theme song for a pay-per-view pro wrestling event titled “Unforgiven.” 2007

John Mellencamp's "Jena" video is "so inflammatory, so defamatory, that a line has been crossed and enough is enough," writes Murphy R. McMillin, the mayor of Jena, LA, in a fax to the press. The song and video refer to the 'Jena Six', a group of black students accused of beating a white classmate after nooses were hung from a tree where black students congregated. Mellencamp sings "Jena, take your nooses down" and says the song is a condemnation of racism, not indictment of the people of Jena. 2007

Bret Michaels bares all on the cover of Billboard magazine. Michaels, wearing nothing more than his signature bandana, is partly hidden behind a headline that reads "maximum exposure." The Poison singer is promoting his VH1 reality series “Life As I Know It,” "an all-access backstage pass into my everyday life." 2010

“George Harrison: Living In The Material World,” makes its debut. The documentary, produced by Martin Scorcese along with Harrison's widow Olivia, features home movies, interviews and unseen footage. Harrison’s former Beatle bandmates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr attend the festivities. 2011

Bono (U2) bashes Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during a benefit concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. Showing Trump clips including his pledge to build a wall on the U.S. - Mexico border (to keep Mexican immigrants out) Bono says, “It’s not just Mexican people who are going to have a problem with this wall of yours. It’s everyone who loves the idea of America.”  2016

The 50^th anniversary reissue of The Beatles “Abbey Road” is #1 on the Rock Album chart - #3 on the Billboard 200. The album contains John Lennon’s “Come Together,” George Harrison’s “Here Comes The Sun” and the brilliant B-side medley.  2019

Mötörhead’s cover of David Bowie’s "Heroes" surpasses 50 million views on the band's YouTube channel. The song was one of frontman Lemmy's favorites.  2021

A Los Angeles state court refuses to dismiss Metallica’s pandemic-related litigation over a canceled South American tour. The band sued Lloyds of London, the tour underwriter, charging breach of contract and a tortious breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.  2021

"The Storyteller" by Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), arrives.  As the name implies, the book chronicles Grohl’s life as a musician and the famous people he’s met.  2021

"Eruption: Conversations With Eddie Van Halen” is available. The late Van Halen guitarist tells his story in his own words gleaned from over 50 hours of recorded but previously unreleased interviews.  2021