This Day in Rock History: March 11
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, The Beatles song “Yesterday” is one of the most covered songs of all time, with thousands of versions to its credit. Here…
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, The Beatles song “Yesterday” is one of the most covered songs of all time, with thousands of versions to its credit. Here are some breakthrough hits, cultural milestones, notable recordings, memorable performances, and industry changes and challenges in rock music history associated with March 11.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Breakthrough hits and milestones in rock music on March 11 of years past include:
- 1978: Kate Bush hit No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart with her debut single "Wuthering Heights." The song stayed at the top spot for four straight weeks.
- 2008: Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Cultural Milestones
The cultural milestones of March 11 that have impacted the rock music genre most include:
- 1964: Vincent Paul Abbott, better known as Vinnie Paul, was born in Abilene, Texas. He's best remembered as the co-founder of the heavy metal band Pantera, as a founder of Damageplan and a member of Hellyeah until he died in 2018.
- 1979: Benji and Joel Madden are born. They would go on to form Good Charlotte.
- 1997: Paul McCartney earned his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the music industry. The award came 32 years after he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
- 2005: The front door of Ozzy Osbourne's childhood home went up for sale on eBay. Fans were repeatedly defacing the door. The owner donated the proceeds to charity.
Notable Recordings and Performances
When it comes to notable recordings and performances in rock music, these are some iconic March 11 moments to remember:
- 1978: Making U.K. music history, Meat Loaf started a 416-week run on the U.K.'s Official Albums Chart with his debut album, Bat Out of Hell. This was the longest stay on the chart at the time, and it held the record for almost nine years.
- 2000: At the State Palace Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana, 311 played their first concert on 311 Day. The show lasted three hours and 11 minutes, and the band played 47 songs.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Rock music wouldn't be what it is today if it hadn't gone through these industry changes and challenges on March 11:
- 2015: After a knife fight between Slipknot's guitarist Mick Thomson and his brother, Andrew, the siblings were taken to the hospital and treated for serious but not life-threatening wounds. Both were later charged with disorderly conduct but declined to press charges against each other.
- 2021: Raymond Charles Campi, known as "The Rockabilly Rebel" passed away.
While everyone might interpret song lyrics differently, these facts about March 11 in rock music history are solid.
