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Today in rock history: On this date in 2013, David Bowie, on his 66th birthday, unexpectedly released “Where Are We Now?,” the first single from his soon to be released album, The Next Day. Coming without warning or build-up, Bowie’s first new song in several years appeared on social media and was immediately available via iTunes. The plaintive single charted well in England where it broke into the Top 10 on pop charts. In similar fashion, three years later, Bowie released what wound up being his masterful final album Blackstar. Containing some of Bowie’s finest and strongest work in years, reviews from both rock critics and fans were unanimously positive. Containing standout tracks like “I Can’t Give Everything Away” and “Lazarus,” Bowie’s 25th and final album coincided with his 69th birthday and was released only two days before his unexpected, cancer-related death.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1991, Steve Clark — the hard-partying chief songwriter, lead guitarist and co-founder of Sheffield, England hard-rock band Def Leppard — passed away at age 30. The guitar hero’s death was blamed on a lethal mix of booze and prescription drugs. While on a sabbatical from the band, Clark and a friend went to a local pub and then went back home where Clark passed away while lying on a couch. Clark was widely recognized as the originator of the fiery riffs found on Def Lep’s first four albums. The band had already dealt with its fair share of bad luck, and Clark’s death was a major blow to the sound and the spirit of Def Leppard, a band that had achieved worldwide success with Clark in the lineup.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1974, up-and-coming New York glam and hard-rock band KISS performed a full-on dress rehearsal — complete with gimmicks and fire tricks — for the press at the since-shuttered The Fillmore East. The band — newly signed to Casablanca Records — was preparing for its first tour set to kick off later in the month, and reaction was less than stellar; most rock writers thought the band was juvenile and that its sound was recycled hard-rock. Nonetheless, within two years, KISS became the hottest and most popular rock band in America. KISS’ farewell tour comes to Tampa’s Amalie Arena on April 11.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1960, American rockabilly pioneer Eddie Cochran (backed by Buddy Holly’s former band, The Crickets) stepped into the booth for the last time and recorded the eerily prophetic track “Three Steps to Heaven” — his final chart hit. Cochran died in a car accident in April 1960; he was 21 years old. Released posthumously, “Three Steps to Heaven” climbed all the way to No. 1 in England (where Cochran was a huge star) but failed to chart back home.
This article appears in Jan 3-10, 2019.