August 21, 1983 – Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone suffers a fractured skull during a fight with Seth Macklin of the band Sub Zero Construction. He endures a four-hour brain surgery operation after being found unconscious in front of his East Village apartment in New York City. August 21, 1972 – Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick is maced and Paul Kantner is injured when […]
Today in Headbanger History
Today in Headbanger History – August 20, 2017
August 20, 1988 – Iron Maiden headline the Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donington with Kiss, David Lee Roth, Megadeth, Guns N’ Roses and Helloween. Two fans die during Guns N’ Roses’ set when they slip in the mud and a crowd surge pushes them beneath others. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: August 20, 1948 – Robert Plant, vocals (Led […]
Today in Headbanger History – August 19, 2017
August 19, 1972 – The Midnight Special TV show debuts on NBC. The first airing is a 90-minute special encouraging young people to vote in the upcoming presidential election with War performing “Slippin’ Into Darkness.” The next year it launches as a regular show with announcer Wolfman Jack. August 19, 2005 – A bronze statue of the late Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott […]
Today in Headbanger History – August 18, 2017
August 18, 1987 – Aerosmith release their “comeback” album Permanent Vacation. It goes on to sell five million copies in the U.S. and spawn the hits “Rag Doll,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” and “Angel.” August 18, 1990 – The Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. features Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Poison, Quireboys and Thunder. During Aerosmith’s set Jimmy Page joins them onstage […]
Today in Headbanger History – August 17, 2017
August 17, 1991 – AC/DC headline the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. with a strong bill – Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Queensrÿche and The Black Crowes. August 17, 1985 – ZZ Top headline the Monster of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. Their bill includes Marillion, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Ratt and Magnum. August 17, 2012 – The members of […]
Today in Headbanger History – August 16, 2017
August 16, 1986 – Rick Allen of Def Leppard makes his first live appearance with the band after losing his arm in a car accident. He picks one of the biggest worldwide festivals, appearing at the Monsters Of Rock Festival at Castle Donington, England. August 16, 1980 – Bill Ward quits Black Sabbath for the first time, most […]
Today in Headbanger History – August 15, 2017
August 15, 1979 – Led Zeppelin release their eighth and final studio album In Through The Out Door. It is the last album from the band while John Bonham is still alive. It goes on to sell over 6 million copies in the U.S. August 15, 1969 – The Woodstock Festival begins outside of New York City in Bethel on Max Yasgur’s 600 acre […]
Today in Headbanger History – August 14, 2017
August 14, 1985 – While collaborating on 1983’s “Say Say Say” former Beatle Paul McCartney advises Michael Jackson to invest in music publishing. McCartney comes to regret giving that advice, as Michael Jackson purchases the publishing rights to the vast majority of the Beatles’ catalog for $47.5 million, outbidding McCartney and Yoko Ono. McCartney had been negotiating with Yoko Ono, […]