This Day in Rock History: July 17
History is made every day, meaning every day holds something that people will remember for years. July 17 holds many important events, like Disneyland’s opening in 1955 or the TWA…
History is made every day, meaning every day holds something that people will remember for years. July 17 holds many important events, like Disneyland's opening in 1955 or the TWA Flight 800 exploding in midair. Rock history also has many of these important events (although it's hard to beat Disney for the headlines). From rock music dominating the charts in the 80s and 90s to legendary bands returning to legendary stages, July 17 and rock music go hand in hand to contain some great moments in time.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
From the early '80s to the '90s, rock albums dominated the Billboard 200 chart on July 17th:
- 1980: Rock music took over the Billboard 200 chart with Billy Joel's Glass Houses, Eric Clapton's Just One Night, and Paul McCartney's McCartney II. These three albums held the top three spots on the chart.
- 1982: Rock was still going strong in 1982 as Asia's self-titled album was holding steady in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. The album had spent 16 weeks on the chart so far, with seven of those weeks at No. 1.
- 1991: Van Halen was keeping their No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. The album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge had debuted in the No. 1 spot two weeks earlier and had yet to move from this spot so far.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Across the decades, the stage remained a place for comebacks, tributes, and unforgettable appearances. From Lynyrd Skynyrd's return to Baton Rouge to Springsteen's heartfelt tribute, these moments left a lasting mark:
- 1991: While a decade may have passed since the band faced tragedy, Lynyrd Skynyrd made it to Baton Rouge to perform. While they performed under a slightly altered name, this tour helped support the new album, Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991.
- 2011: Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance during a "Tribute to the Late, Great Clarence Clemons" performance. With a crowd of only 400, this was Springsteen's first public performance since Clemons' death.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Behind the scenes, the music world faced both personal losses and public controversies on this day:
- 1996: Chas Chandler (born Bryan James Chandler) died of an aortic aneurysm at Newcastle General Hospital in the U.K. Chandler was known as the original bassist for The Animals, along with his work as the manager for Slade and Jimi Hendrix.
- 2004: Politics are tricky, even for performers, and talking about them can get artists booted. This is precisely what happened to Linda Ronstadt in Vegas when she dedicated her encore performance to Michael Moore and urged fans to watch Fahrenheit 9/11.
- 2021: Robby Steinhard, violinist and co-lead vocalist for Kansas, passed away at the age of 71. This was after a battle with acute pancreatitis and septic shock.
Music history is made not just on the charts, but in the lives, losses, and legacies of the people who shape it. From chart-topping records and milestone performances to the unexpected turns that shift the industry, July 17 is home to events that continue to tell the story of rock and roll's ever-evolving journey.
