Today in Headbanger History

January 18, 1991 – The second Rock in Rio festival kicks off the first of ten days in Rio de Janeiro. Artists include Santana, Guns N’ Roses, INXS, Billy Idol, Judas Priest, Faith No More, Queensrÿche and Sepultura. [WATCH VIDEO BELOW] January 18, 1991 – Three fans are crushed to death at an AC/DC concert in Salt Lake City. […]

January 17, 1990 – The Fifth Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City.  Inductees include The Kinks (inducted by Graham Nash), Simon & Garfunkel (inducted by James Taylor), and The Who (inducted by U2). January 17, 1996 – The 11th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City.  Inductees include David Bowie (inducted […]

January 16, 1978 – Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols falls through a glass door at a San Francisco hotel while overdosing , and is rushed to a hospital.  Days later, the group disbands. January 16, 1985 – It’s day #6 of  the first Rock in Rio festival held in Rio de Janeiro. The ten day festival featured […]

January 15, 1977 – David Bowie releases Low. Co-produced with Tony Visconti, it’s the first of three albums produced with the help of Brian Eno. January 15, 2010 – Jimmy Page is awarded the first ever Pathways to Peace Award by the United Nations. “Although this award has my name on it, this is a tribute to the power of music and […]

January 14, 1965 –  David Bowie releases his first single in the U.S., “Can’t Help Thinking About Me.”  This was the first single released after he changed his name from David (also Davie) Jones to David Bowie. January 14, 1967 – The first “Human Be-In” takes place at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park with more than 25,000 people in attendance.  It is the prelude to […]

January 13, 2003 – Pete Townshend of The Who is arrested on suspicion of downloading child porn. Police officers impound seven computers, but after a four-month investigation, he is cleared of all charges.  He claimed he was doing research while writing his autobiography and says he was sexually abused as a child himself. January 13, 1968 – Johnny Cash plays two […]

January 12, 1969 – Led Zeppelin release their self-titled debut album. The album was completely funded by Jimmy Page (who was also the producer) and took only 36 hours to record and mix.  Page also picked out the image of the burning Hindenburg (the “lead zeppelin”) on the cover.Rolling Stone wrote that “The cover of Led Zeppelin … shows the Hindenburg airship, in all its phallic glory, going […]

January 11, 1985 – The first Rock in Rio festival kicks off in Rio de Janeiro. The 10-day festival features Queen, AC/DC, Yes, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, The Scorpions and Whitesnake.  About 1.4 million people attend the shows. [WATCH VIDEO BELOW] January 11, 2004 – Ted Nugent needs 40 stitches in his leg after a chainsaw accident occurs while filming his reality TV show, Surviving Nugent: […]