Historic events this week from Weezer, Garbage, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Soundgarden and The Clash
MAY 10, 1994: WEEZER’S ‘BLUE ALBUM’
Weezer‘s self-titled debut album has become a classic of the power pop genre. Produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars, the 5x Platinum Weezer (or “Blue Album”) features the hit singles “Say It Ain’t So,” “Buddy Holly” and “Undone-the Sweater Song.” In 2002, Rolling Stone ranked “The Blue Album” #82 on a list of the 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time.
MAY 11, 1998: GARBAGE’S SOPHOMORE ALBUM, VERSION 2.0
Garbage sharpened their pop instincts on Version 2.0, turning singles like “Push It,” “I Think I’m Paranoid,” and “Special” into slick, high‑energy alternative rock with electronic edge. Anchored by Shirley Manson’s cool‑confidence vocals, songs like “When I Grow Up” helped frame the album as a sharp commentary on fame, identity, and media overload in the late ’90s.
MAY 12, 1973: LED ZEPPELIN’S HOUSES OF THE HOLY IS #1
Led Zeppelin‘s fifth album, Houses of the Holy, wasted no time going Gold, having sold 500,000 copies in less than two weeks.
A month later, it would begin a two week reign at #1 on the charts, before being unseated by a Beatles compilation (1967-1970, “The Blue Album”).
Houses of the Holy contains the classic rock radio staples, “Dancing Days”, “Over the Hills and Far Away” and “D’Yer Mak’er.”
MAY 12, 1998: LENNY KRAVITZ’S 5
On 5, Lenny Kravitz streamlined his sound, building songs around tight rhythms, thick basslines, and uncluttered arrangements that put feel over flash, with hits like “Fly Away” and “If You Can’t Say No” leading the way. When the album was re‑released the following year, Kravitz’s explosive cover of “American Woman” was added, helping push 5 into true blockbuster territory.
MAY 13, 1994: SOUNDGARDEN RELEASE “BLACK HOLE SUN”
Soundgarden scored their first of six #1 singles with the release of “Black Hole Sun.”
“Black Hole Sun” would spend 7 total weeks at #1 and earn the band a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.
After Chris Cornell’s passing, the song’s lyrics “No one sings like you anymore”, have become a lasting tribute to the vocalist.
MAY 14, 1982: THE CLASH’S COMBAT ROCK
Combat Rock found The Clash refining their rebellious edge into something broader and more radio‑friendly without fully letting go of their confrontational spirit. Anchored by enduring singles like “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah,” the album expanded the band’s reach worldwide while underscoring the creative tensions that were beginning to pull them apart.
