Historic events this week from The Clash, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Chris Cornell, The Replacements, INXS, Tom Petty and more
SEPTEMBER 20, 1979: BASS PLAYER IN THE CLASH SMASHES GUITAR
Clash bassist, Paul Simonon grew angry at NYC’s Palladium upon realizing bouncers weren’t allowing the audience to stand up during their performance.
Photographer Pennie Smith captured the moment he smashed his bass guitar out of frustration.
The shot would end up becoming an iconic image, gracing the cover of The Clash‘s classic London Calling album.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2009: PEARL JAM’S BACKSPACER
Pearl Jam‘s Backspacer featured crisp production and a more direct, melodic collection of songs that moved away from the more political and experimental tone of their previous work. With songs like the driving “The Fixer” and the tender ballad “Just Breathe,” the album was praised for its positive lyrical outlook and cohesive, no-frills approach.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: OZZY’S PATIENT NUMBER 9
With the release of his 13th solo album, Patient Number 9, Ozzy Osbourne scored his highest charting album in the UK when it peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the UK Official Vinyl Albums Chart.
Patient Number 9 reached a peak position of #3 on the US Billboard 200, tying with Black Rain (2007) and Ordinary Man (2020) for Ozzy’s highest-charting album in the United States.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1993: IN UTERO
Nirvana‘s third and final studio album, In Utero, showcases a raw and abrasive sound that contrasts with their previous work. Recorded with Steve Albini at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, MN; the album’s lyrical themes delve into personal struggles, illness, and the pressures of fame, offering a poignant and often uncomfortable listening experience.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1999: CHRIS CORNELL’S DEBUT SOLO ALBUM
Chris Cornell‘s debut solo album, Euphoria Morning, is a significant departure from the hard rock sound of Soundgarden. The album embraces a more introspective and experimental direction, showcasing his vocal range through a mix of psychedelic folk and pop-influenced arrangements.
SEPTEMBER 22, 1992: BLIND MELON’S DEBUT
Blind Melon‘s debut album is a fusion of classic rock and psychedelic influences, showcasing the band’s unique blend of funk-infused rhythms and melodic sensibilities. While the album is widely recognized for its massive hit single “No Rain,” it also features a diverse collection of tracks that reveal a more introspective and jam-oriented side of the band.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018: EGYPT STATION IS #1
To celebrate the release of his 17th solo album, Paul McCartney played a private show at Grand Central Station.
Egypt Station became McCartney’s first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.
It was his first #1 album since Tug of War in 1982.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2023: THE REPLACEMENTS’ TIM: LET IT BLEED EDITION
The Replacements‘ Tim: Let It Bleed Edition is a comprehensive deluxe reissue that rectifies the original album’s infamously murky mix with a brand new version. This expanded set also includes a wealth of bonus material, such as rare outtakes, demos, and a previously unreleased live concert recording, offering an in-depth look at the band during a pivotal moment in their career.
SEPTEMBER 24, 1991: NEVERMIND BY NIRVANA
Nirvana‘s Nevermind is a landmark album that redefined the sound of alternative rock and brought grunge to a mainstream audience. The album’s success was driven by hit singles like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come as You Are,” and “Lithium,” and it has gone on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.
SEPTEMBER 24, 1991: BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK
Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Blood Sugar Sex Magik is a landmark album that solidified the band’s position in the mainstream and is considered a definitive work of the 1990s alternative rock movement. Driven by popular singles such as “Give It Away,” “Under the Bridge,” and “Suck My Kiss,” the album has gone on to sell over 13 million copies worldwide.
SEPTEMBER 25, 1990: ALL SHOOK DOWN BY THE REPLACEMENTS
The Replacements‘ final album, All Shook Down, is a more introspective and subdued affair that showcases Paul Westerberg‘s songwriting over the band’s traditional raucous energy. Originally conceived as a solo album, it features a more polished sound and a greater emphasis on acoustic arrangements, serving as a poignant and fitting farewell.
SEPTEMBER 25, 1990: INXS RELEASES X
INXS’s album X continued the band’s successful formula with hit singles, like “Suicide Blonde” and “Disappear,” garnering X multi-platinum status and cementing INXS their place as global superstars.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2007: FOO FIGHTERS RELEASE ECHOES, SILENCE, PATIENCE & GRACE
Foo Fighters‘ Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace is a diverse and dynamic album that skillfully blends the band’s signature hard rock with more melodic, acoustic-driven tracks. The album featured powerful hit singles like “The Pretender” and “Long Road to Ruin,” while also exploring a wider sonic palette that incorporates orchestral arrangements and a more introspective lyrical approach.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2017: TOM PETTY’S FINAL SHOW
A week before his death, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played their final show at the Hollywood Bowl.
He played all the songs you’d hope to hear including “Free Fallin'”, “Refugee” and “Learning to Fly”.
The last song Tom Petty performed live was “American Girl.”
SEPTEMBER 26, 1994: MONSTER BY R.E.M.
R.E.M.‘s Monster marked a dramatic and deliberate shift in their sound, trading the acoustic arrangements of Out of Time and Automatic for the People for loud, distorted guitars and a more aggressive rock aesthetic. The album is a satirical and cynical exploration of fame, celebrity, and sexuality, with themes of obsession and media culture running throughout its tracks.
