20 August

Pick a Day

20 AUGUST

In Music History

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2020 Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali dies of pancreatic cancer at 68.

2018 The RIAA certifies the Eagles Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 at 38 million units, making it the best-selling album of all-time in America, besting Michael Jackson's Thriller by 5 million (another Eagles album, Hotel California, is third with 26 million). Worldwide, Thriller is by far the biggest selling album.

2016 Tom Searle of the band Architects dies of skin cancer at age 28.

2016 Former 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts is found dead in a Wisconsin hotel room at age 38, presumably from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

2012 A Green Day version of the video game Angry Birds is released, featuring Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool as green pigs. Players can unlock a new Green Day song from the 10th level of the game.

2011 Jazz singer Ross Barbour (of The Four Freshmen) dies of cancer in Simi Valley, California, at age 82.

2009 Keyboardist/bassist Larry Knechtel (of Bread) dies of a heart attack in Yakima, Washington, at age 69.

2005 On what would have been Phil Lynott's 56th birthday, a concert is held in Dublin featuring Thin Lizzy members Brian Downey, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. Eric Bell, the original lead guitarist with Thin Lizzy, and Gary Moore share the lead on the classic "Whiskey In The Jar."

1997 The "Hank Williams Memorial Lost Highway" is dedicated in Alabama, where the singer was born. The 50-mile stretch on Interstate 65 starts at his childhood home of Georgiana and ends in Montgomery, the site of his grave. The ceremony takes place in Montgomery (the state capitol), with Hank Williams Jr. on hand to speak.

1992 Sting marries Trudie Styler at their estate in Wiltshire, England. The couple first met in 1977 when Sting was a struggling musician and Trudie was trying to make it as an actress.

1992 Demi Lovato is born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1990 Prince releases his album Graffiti Bridge, which contains the tracks "Thieves In The Temple" and "New Power Generation."More

1988 Soundgarden play Capitol Lake Park in Olympia, Washington as part of Capitol Lake Jam. Also on the bill: Nirvana.

1987 Metallica play a secret show at The 100 Club in London. Two days later, they play Donington Park at Castle Donington as part of the massive Monsters of Rock Festival, headlined by Bon Jovi.

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Spin Doctors Release Pocket Full of Kryptonite

1991

Spin Doctors release their debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite. It sells over 5 million copies thanks to the hits "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and "Two Princes."

After earning a following with lots of live shows around New York City (many with their cohorts Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors signed with Epic Records, who put out the album and dispatch the band to promote it with a heavy touring schedule. Epic has other priorities though, namely Pearl Jam, so they keep expectations low for the Spin Doctors (who arnen't even from Seattle!) and don't release any singles from the album. That changes when the radio station WEQX in Vermont airs a promo for the band's upcoming concert, using some of their music in the spot. Listeners call in to request the promo - a sure sign that there is hit potential here. Their program director petitions Epic, who finally issue "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" as a single on October 5, 1992. Five days later, they're the musical guests on Saturday Night Live. The song earns airplay around the country and on MTV; it climbs to #17 in December. The next single is "Two Princes," which takes the band to a new level. In January 1993 they're on the cover of Rolling Stone, where lead singer Chris Barron explains that the hectic pace is wearing them down. They go full steam throughout 1993 and into 1994, when they play Woodstock, Farm Aid and Glastonbury, and serve as the opening act on the Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge tour. Kryptonite goes on to sell over 5 million copies in America. Their follow-up album, Turn It Upside Down, isn't nearly as successful, but is still a million seller. They never return to the lofty heights of their debut, but remain active well into the '10s.

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