Today in Headbanger History

January 20, 1982 – Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off a live bat at a show in Des Moines, Iowa, thinking it was a rubber bat thrown on the stage.  In his memoir, he says, “Immediately, though, something felt wrong. Very wrong. For a start, my mouth was instantly full of this warm, gloopy liquid, with the […]

January 19, 1994 – The Ninth Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City. Inductees include The Animals, The Band, Duane Eddy, The Grateful Dead, Elton John, John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Rod Stewart.  Stewart can’t make it there due to the massive earthquake that hit LA that week, and […]

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. January 18, 1991 – Three fans are crushed to death at an AC/DC concert in Salt Lake City.  Unaware of the […]

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.   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: January 13, 1959 – James Lomenzo, […]