This Week In Classic Rock History

AUG 9-15: Historic events this week from KISS, The Beatles, Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin

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AUGUST 9, 1995: KISS UNPLUGGED

The original members of KISS reunited for the band\’s MTV Unplugged show.

It was the first time the original lineup performed without makeup; not counting Frehley\’s wedding in \’76.

Ace Frehley & Peter Criss\’ appearance on MTV Unplugged went over so well, they officially rejoined the band in \’96.

• • •
AUGUST 11, 1964: BEATLES RELEASE A HARD DAY\’S NIGHT
With its soundtrack already enjoying its third week at #1, the Beatles released their first movie, A Hard Day\’s Night.

Released amidst Beatlemania, the comedy-musical did extremely well at the box office.

With a budget of £189,000, it grossed $1,664,617; which is equal to $13,843,008.67 in 2020.

• • •
AUGUST 12, 1991: METALLICA\’S \”BLACK ALBUM\”
Each single from Metallica\’s self-titled fifth album is a hard rock classic:

\”Enter Sandman\”, \”The Unforgiven\”, \”Nothing Else Matters\”, \”Sad but True\” and \”Wherever I May Roam\”.

The album sold 3 million copies in less than 3 months. It remains their biggest album with 17 million sold in the US.

• • •
AUGUST 13, 1973: (Pronounced \’Lĕh-\’nérd \’Skin-\’nérd)
Lynyrd Skynrd\’s classic, southern rock debut is a cut above the rest.

Although \”Free Bird\” was the only single to chart (#19), \”Tuesday\’s Gone\”, \”Gimme Three Steps\” and \”Simple Man\” are also celebrated classic rock radio staples.

• • •
AUGUST 15, 1979: IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR
The album divided fans and critics alike due to the softer, synthesizer-driven direction.

In Through the Out Door still managed to quickly go #1 and spent 7 straight weeks at the top spot; eventually selling 6 million copies in the US.

It proved to be their final album, as they disbanded after the Sept. \’80 death of drummer John Bonham.

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