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Today in rock history: On this date in 1982, heavy metal band Twisted Sister released its debut album, Under the Blade. Having gained a large and devout following both in New Jersey (from where the band originally hailed) and in the Long Island area of New York, the group was signed to the British independent record label, Secret Records, which released the band’s very first offering. A regional hit in the northeast portion of the U.S. where the band was already established, the record also caught on in England where it sold incredibly well. The record included some of the band’s earliest classics like “Bad Boys (of Rock ‘n’ Roll)” and the title track of the album. The band’s success in Great Britain coincided with the massive metal resurgence that was occurring in that part of the world at the time. Regarded as the “new wave of British heavy metal,” Twisted Sister made a huge impact on Pete Way, original bassist for hard rock bands UFO and Waysted, who produced the record. The following year, Twisted Sister would be signed to a major recording contract with the Atlantic Records label and, by 1984, the band would become incredibly successful with its Stay Hungry album, which featured the rock anthems “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” — both staples on MTV.
CROWE ON
Today in rock history: Almost Famous was released on this day in the year 2000
Today in rock history: On this date in 1992, Cameron Crowe’s Seattle-based romantic comedy Singles premiered in movie theaters. Focusing on a group of socially intertwined Seattle denizens who epitomize Generation X, the film was a minor box office success, but the real attraction to it came in the form of the dynamic accompanying soundtrack album. Featuring that day's hottest and most promising bands from the northwest, the album boasted tracks by Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and several others. A bonus came in the way of two tracks provided by former Replacements singer and songwriter Paul Westerberg which showed off his power pop leanings and gave way to the successful solo career he’d soon embark on. Featuring appearances by real-life band members like Eddie Vedder and the late Chris Cornell as part of the cast, the film starred Bridget Fonda, Matt Dillon, Campbell Scott and Kyra Sedgwick, who all turned in fine performances.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1981, former prog-heavy band Genesis released its 11th album, the pop-laden Abacab. Following the breakout success of the band’s previous album, 1980’s Duke, the band continued in its more commercial, accessible sound and created one of the best-selling and most beloved albums of its catalog. Featuring four hit singles, the album rose all the way to No. 1 in Genesis' native England and was a Top 10 smash here in the States. Coinciding with the beginnings of music video channel MTV, promotional clips for songs like “No Reply At All,” “Man on the Corner” and the title track not only helped those songs become bona fide hits, but furthered the band’s success while helping introduce it to a much younger audience that might not have ever had the chance to be exposed to Genesis. Released in America a week after this original U.K. release date, the album’s colorful, artsy cover was created in a variety of striking color combinations and went on to sell more than 2 million copies in the U.S. alone, marking a major rise in the band’s marketability here in the States.
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Today in rock history: This date marks the birth of a couple of American punk rock icons. On this date in 1955, Keith Morris was born in Hermosa Beach, California. An original founder of west coast punk pioneers Black Flag, Morris left the band to form another influential, essential band, Circle Jerks. A distinctive, overpowering presence, Morris ranks among the most intriguing and groundbreaking frontmen from the California punk-rock explosion. Still active and vital, Morris has most recently served as a member and lead singer of throwback hardcore band, Off! On this very date in 1951, the late Dee Dee Ramone (born Douglas Glenn Colvin) was born in Fort Lee, Virginia. An original, founding member and bassist for the most important and vital punk band of all — New York City’s Ramones — Dee Dee added plenty of attitude, snarl and fierceness to the band. Occasionally singing with the band from its earliest formation, Dee Dee’s vocals would become more prevalent as years went on with some of his most vital contributions appearing on the band’s fine 1984 album, Too Tough To Die. Leaving the band to pursue a solo career, Dee Dee wouldn’t fare too well on his own with his very first solo release, 1989’s Standing in the Spotlight, which was his foray into hip-hop music. Sadly, Dee Dee passed away in 2002 in the age of 50 due to an apparent heroin overdose.
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