Albums, birthdays, history-making concerts and farewells from the bands we play on Leveling Radio. One date for every day.
Rick Allen, Def Leppard's “Thunder God”, turns 63
Rick Allen is born, Def Leppard's drummer since 1978. He lost his left arm in a car crash on December 31, 1984, and kept playing with the band, which then entered its most successful era.
Nirvana's “MTV Unplugged in New York” is released
“MTV Unplugged in New York”, recorded on November 18, 1993, is released. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and earned Nirvana the only Grammy of their career.
Foo Fighters release “There Is Nothing Left to Lose”, recorded in a basement
Foo Fighters release “There Is Nothing Left to Lose”, recorded in the basement of Dave Grohl's house and their first album with Taylor Hawkins. It won the Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2001.
Bon Jovi shed their skin with “Keep the Faith”
Bon Jovi release “Keep the Faith”, produced by Bob Rock in Vancouver. It is their last studio album with all five original members and includes “Bed of Roses” and “In These Arms”.
Ramones blast off with “Rocket to Russia”
Ramones release “Rocket to Russia”, their third album, featuring “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker”. It was the last with original drummer Tommy Ramone, who left the band in 1978 to focus on producing.
Bryan Adams celebrates his 25th birthday by releasing “Reckless”
Bryan Adams releases “Reckless” on the very day he turns 25. It hit number one in the US, sold over 12 million copies, and all six of its singles, like “Run to You”, made the top 20.
“Echoes”, Pink Floyd's big anthology, turns 25
Pink Floyd release “Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd”, a compilation that debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and went four times platinum in the US.
Glenn Frey, founder and voice of the Eagles, would have turned 78
Glenn Frey is born, co-founder of the Eagles and the voice of “Take It Easy” and “Tequila Sunrise”. With Don Henley he wrote most of the band's songs, and he won six Grammys with them. He died in 2016.
Scorpions release “Crazy World”, the album with “Wind of Change”
Scorpions release “Crazy World”, featuring “Wind of Change” and “Send Me an Angel”. It is the band's only album to reach number one in their native Germany.
The Rolling Stones slip in incognito with “Undercover”
The Rolling Stones release “Undercover”, their first album of all-new songs in the '80s. It was the last one released in the lifetime of their longtime pianist Ian Stewart.
Led Zeppelin IV turns 55: the “Stairway to Heaven” album
Led Zeppelin release their fourth album, untitled and with four symbols in place of a name. It includes “Stairway to Heaven” and is their best-selling album, with more than 37 million copies.
Jason Newsted makes his live debut with Metallica
Jason Newsted plays his first show with Metallica at the Country Club in Reseda, California, just weeks after Cliff Burton's death. He was the band's bassist until 2001.
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