Today in rock history: On this date in 1993, the notorious and outrageous punk rock singer GG Allin died from an accidental heroin overdose. The violent, confrontational performer was known for his vulgar and outlandish onstage acts and gained a loyal underground following throughout his years as the most dangerous and unorthodox punk-rock performer of all. For years, Allin made it known that he’d one day commit suicide onstage while performing but instead his life came to an end at the age of 36 after his fatal overdose. Allin fronted a variety of bands throughout his life and, although the albums he recorded over the years were largely overlooked or panned, his reputation as a disgusting, depraved performer was what he was best known for, and there's even some video of him playing a stoned set at Tampa's Harbor Club.
MUSIC ISSUE 2017
Legendary moments — remembering when in Tampa Bay music
Today in rock history: On this date in 1968, the second album by British psychedelic band Pink Floyd, Saucerful of Secrets, was released. The record was the last on which founding member Syd Barrett would appear as his exit from the band came soon after. Already enlisting the talents of newest member, guitarist David Gilmour, this was the only album on which all five musicians who’ve served as members of this legendary band appeared. A substantial success in England, the trippy, psych-rock landmark album peaked at No. 9 on British sales charts. The album contained one single, “Let There Be More Light” as well as Floyd standout tracks like “Corporal Clegg,” “See-Saw” and the 12-minute, multi-part title track.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1980, “Coming Up,” a solo hit single from former Beatle Paul McCartney, hit No. 1 on American singles charts for the first of three consecutive weeks. Coming from Paul’s McCartney II album, the single was released with the studio, album version of the song on the A-side and a rollicking, far more energetic live concert performance on the B-side. The live version received much more airplay and gained more attention on U.S. radio stations and was played far more often than the studio version. The single became one of the few live concert recordings to climb as high as No. 1 on Billboard’s singles chart.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1997, Radiohead’s third album, the groundbreaking OK Computer, rose all the way to No. 1 on British sales charts. Although the band had achieved substantial success with its previous album, 1995’s guitar-heavy The Bends, the experimental band decided to create a more electronic-based, melancholy album for its follow-up. Music industry insiders predicted the album would not be a commercial success but were proven wrong when the album was not only a resounding success but also drew unanimous praise from rock critics around the world. Several singles were culled from the album, including “Paranoid Android,” “Karma Police” and “No Surprises,” but it was the entire album as a whole piece of work that was recognized as being one of the greatest and most influential albums of the 1990s. OK Computer debuted at No. 21 on U.S. sales charts which was, at the time, the highest chart position the British band had ever achieved in America. The winner of a Grammy award in the category of Best Alternative Music Album of the Year, OK Computer has become a modern-day classic and is often referred to as one of the greatest albums of all time by several writers and journalists.
