This Week In Classic Rock History

Historic events this week from Guns N’ Roses, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Velvet Revolver, The Rolling Stones and U2

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This Week In Classic Rock History

JUNE 6, 1992: “NOVEMBER RAIN” VIDEO DEBUTS ON MTV
When it was released, GNR’s $1,500,000 “November Rain” music video was the most expensive in rock music.

The video went on to win the MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography.

In 2018, it became the first pre-YouTube era video to reach 1 billion views on YouTube.

• • •
JUNE 7, 1978: PETTY MEETS DYLAN
Before performing a show in L.A., Bob Dylan was informed Joni Mitchell, Raquel Welch and Tom Petty were all in attendance.

Dylan was unaware of who Tom Petty was, but after a quick explanation, he gave Petty a shout out towards the end of the set.

Petty was brought backstage after the show, where they became fast friends.

• • •
JUNE 8, 1974: “BAND ON THE RUN” IS #1
“Band on the Run” was McCartney’s third US #1 non-Beatles single after “Uncle Albert/Admiral” (’71) and “My Love” (’73).

Though the classic single only spent one week at #1, it helped Band on the Run sell 4 million copies in the US and remains McCartney’s bestselling solo/Wings album.

• • •
JUNE 8 2004: VELVET REVOLVER RELEASE CONTRABAND
Guns N’ Roses/Stone Temple Pilots supergroup, Velvet Revolver, quickly went Platinum after debuting at #1.

Contraband featured the #1 hit singles “Slither” and “Fall to Pieces”.

Velvet Revolver would take home the 2005 Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for “Slither”.

• • •
JUNE 11, 1966:”PAINT IT BLACK” IS #1
“Paint It Black” was The Rolling Stones’ third US #1 hit.

The song details the intense grief that accompanies unexpectedly losing your lover.

With Brian Jones on sitar, it was the first ever #1 song to feature the instrument.

• • •
JUNE 5, 1983: U2 PERFORM AT RED ROCKS
On the 31st date of the North American leg of their War Tour, U2 played Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Two of the songs from that show would appear on their classic Under a Blood Red Sky live album.

The full Red Rocks show was later released on VHS/DVD as U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky.

The 20 song performance features tracks from the albums Boy (1980), October (1981) and War (1983).

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