Historic events this week from R.E.M., Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, INXS, Tom Petty, The Beatles and Metallica
SEPTEMBER 21, 2011: R.E.M. BREAKS UP
6½ months after releasing their final album, R.E.M. amicably called it quits. Among many awards won in their 31 years, they won three Grammy awards for their 7th album, Out of Time, which began a streak of R.E.M. albums to go 4x Platinum. The others were Automatic for the People (1992) and Monster (1994).
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018: PAUL McCARTNEY’S EGYPT STATION IS #1
To celebrate the release of his 17th solo album, Paul McCartney played a private show at Grand Central Station.
Egypt Station became Paul McCartney‘s first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200. It was his first #1 album since Tug of War in 1982.
SEPTEMBER 25, 1980: JOHN BONHAM DIES
It has been reported that before he died, John Bonham of Led Zeppelin had 4 quadruple screwdrivers (16 shots) with breakfast on September 24, and continued to drink heavily through band rehearsals.
Inquest showed he’d had about 40 shots in 24 hours, and choked to death in his sleep.
SEPTEMBER 25, 1990: INXS’ X LP
INXS‘s album X continued the band’s successful formula with hit singles, like “Suicide Blonde” and “Disappear,” garnering X multi-platinum status and cementing INXS their place as global superstars.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2017: TOM PETTY’S FINAL CONCERT
A week before his death, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played their final show at the Hollywood Bowl.
He played all the songs you’d hope to hear including “Free Fallin’”, “Refugee” and “Learning to Fly”. The last song Tom Petty performed live was “American Girl.”
SEPTEMBER 27, 1989: METALLICA’S CLIFF BURTON DIES
While touring Sweden, Metallica‘s Cliff Burton was sent flying out of their bus window when the vehicle left the road and flipped. Tragically, the bus landed on top of Burton, resulting in his death.
He was 24.
In 2009, he was inducted, with Metallica, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
