Today in rock history: On this date in 1992, Tupac Shakur made his acting debut in Juice, which received positive reviews and began a successful, albeit short-lived, acting career for the hip-hop giant. Juice’s soundtrack featured hip-hop giants like Pac, Eric B & Rakim, EPMD and Too Short; it climbed to No. 3 spot on Billboard’s R&B albums chart.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1959, Bangles founder Susanna Hoffs was born in Los Angeles, California; she went on to become one of the most recognizable pop performers of the ‘80s thanks to the band’s exposure on MTV. The Bangles scored hits with songs like “Walk Like an Egyptian,” “Hero Takes a Fall” and “Manic Monday” (the latter of which was written for the band by Prince (who went by the pseudonym Christopher in the credits). Hoffs also appeared in several films early in her career and has solo albums to her credit, too. She fronts the reunited Bangles and continues to record and tour as she celebrates her 60th birthday today.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1956, Q-Tips singer Paul Young was born in Luton, England. Young quickly drew attention for his soulful, husky, baritone singing voice and his onstage persona. He went solo after the group disbanded in 1982 and started a long string of U.K.hit singles thanks to a 1983 cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Wherever I Lay My Hat.” His 1985 cover of Daryl Hall and John Oates’s “Every Time You Go Away” made Young internationally known, and he still tours to this day.
Today in rock history: On this date in 2008, Kiss bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons was fired from the popular television reality show, The Celebrity Apprentice. Appearing on the reality show hosted by Donald Trump, Simmons was released from the program before it really got legs. While it was widely speculated that Simmons was fired from the program due to his arrogance and attitude, he later made it known that he intentionally wanted to be off the program due to an upcoming Kiss world tour.
