What happened on this day in rock history? This is a collection of epic events, milestones, birthdays, deaths, chart toppers, concerts, record releases, and any rock music happenings that we could find for Today in Rock Music History.
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See what happened yesterday in rock history
APRIL 16th
Lasting little more than a month on Elektra Records, MC5 are dropped by the label over an ad the group took out in an underground newspaper. The ad's banner headline reads "F**k Dayton-Hudson" and goes on to slam the retail chain for not carrying MC5's debut album. Now who could object to that? 1969
Temple Of The Dog release their self-titled debut set. The band consists of Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron plus future Pearl Jam members Mike McCready, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament. Eddie Vedder, in Seattle to audition for Pearl Jam contributes vocals. 1991
Rage Against The Machine unfurl their sophomore album, “Evil Empire.” The multi-platinum set features “People Of The Sun” and “Bulls On Parade.” 1996Metallica are Record Store Day Ambassadors. Their Berkeley, CA in-store concert is streamed live. Following their performance Metallica go El Cerrito, where the group lived from '83 to '86. The band receives a proclamation from El Cerrito's mayor recognizing the group's ties to the community. 2016The day supports independent record stores and record store culture worldwide.
Red Hot Chili Peppers “Unlimited Love" sells 97,500 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It’s the band's first chart-topping effort since ‘06's "Stadium Arcadium." 2022MORE TODAY IN ROCK...
“Lonesome” Dave Peverett, vocals/guitar for Foghat and Savoy Brown, begins his life. 1943
Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett sees his first light of day. 1953
Soul Asylum's singer-guitarist, Dave Pirner, is born in Green Bay but eventually moves to Minneapolis. 1964
Everybody must get stoned. Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" is released. 1966
"Brown Sugar" is the first Rolling Stones single released on their own label. The song is from their "Sticky Fingers" album. 1971
After holding the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for a week in January, February and March, The Eagles’ “Hotel California” returns to the top for a five-week stay. 1977
INXS single "Devil Inside" peaks at # 2 in the U.S. 1988
Featuring the song “Love Sneakin’ Up On You,” Bonnie Raitt’s “Longing in Their Hearts” is #1 album on the Billboard 200. 1994
Having been released four years earlier (to the month) Soundgarden's "Badmotorfinger" is recognized for selling 2-million copies. 1996
Jet's "Cold Hard Bitch" moves to the #1 spot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, ending the 13-week run at the top by Nickelback's "Figured You Out." 2004
Ozzy Osbourne is the head ambassador for Record Store Day. 2011
Jack White (White Stripes) is honored with Nashville's first ever Music City Ambassador award. Originally from Detroit, White relocated to Nashville. 2011
Black Label Society's, "Catacombs Of The Black Vatican," debuts on top of Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart (#5 on the Billboard 200) selling 26,000 copies its first week of release. 2014
AC/DC announce that Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose will replace the ailing Brian Johnson for the remainder of AC/DC's '16 tour. 2016
Shinedown is inducted into the Mohegan Sun Walk Of Fame - the 36th group or individual to receive the honor. Located in Uncasville, CT the Mohegan Sun is “the Northeast's premier entertainment destination.” The band gets a star outside Mohegan Sun's Box Office before their sold-out show. 2022
The Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band honors Van Halen during its halftime show at Ohio Stadium as part of O.U.’s spring football game in Columbus. The band plays a selection of Van Halen songs including “Jump,” and “Panama” while in formation spelling out ‘Van Halen’. 2022
A statue of AC/DC's Brian Johnson is unveiled in Namur, Belgium to commemorate the first concert he ever played with the band on June 29th, 1980, at the city's Palais Des Expositions. 2023
Rage Against The Machine unfurl their sophomore album, “Evil Empire.” The multi-platinum set features “People Of The Sun” and “Bulls On Parade.” 1996
Metallica are Record Store Day Ambassadors. Their Berkeley, CA in-store concert is streamed live. Following their performance Metallica go El Cerrito, where the group lived from '83 to '86. The band receives a proclamation from El Cerrito's mayor recognizing the group's ties to the community. 2016
Red Hot Chili Peppers “Unlimited Love" sells 97,500 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It’s the band's first chart-topping effort since ‘06's "Stadium Arcadium." 2022
