Welcome to another edition of Today in Boston ROCK, where I, Adam 12, spotlight Very Important Days In Rock History. April 8th is one.
1962
April 8, 1962: Jeffrey Dean Isbell is born in Indiana. You know him, of course as Izzy Stradlin of Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds. Oh, and he’s the co-founder and rhythm guitarist of a little band called Guns N’ Roses.
1975
April 8, 1975: Aerosmith releases their third studio album, Toys in the Attic. It’s Aerosmith superfan (and my close personal friend) Johnny L’s favorite Aerosmith album. But how many songs from the album make our Top 50 list?
1977
April 8, 1977: The Clash release their self-titled debut album. I am six weeks older than this album. I would give anything to travel back in time 45 years, drop the needle, and have my mind blown to pieces by “Janie Jones.” Can you imagine?
1994
April 8, 1994: The Offspring release their breakthrough third album Smash. Did they know ahead of time that this would be the album that put them on the map? Is that why they chose the title that they chose? You can ask them when they come to Boston on May 15. Enter to win a pair of tickets to the show.
1997
April 8, 1997: Third Eye Blind releases their self-titled debut album. Five hit singles, six-times platinum, it’s in the conversation when shortlisting the greatest rock albums of the ’90s. “Graduate” is my fave song of the lot.
Today in Boston ROCK: March 31
1955
March 31, 1955: Angus McKinnon Young is born in Glasgow, Scotland. 67 years later and the AC/DC axeman is still wearing shortpants.
1976
March 31, 1976: Led Zeppelin releases their seventh studio album, Presence. I wrote about the album for its 45th anniversary last year.
1998
March 31, 1998: Fuel releases their debut full-length Sunburn. Fun fact? The album was recorded right here in Massachusetts at Long View Farm in North Brookfield. “Shimmer” still slays.