Music History Class

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: Paul McCartney

On this day in 1942 Sir Paul McCartney was born James Paul McCartney in Liverpool, England. The son of working class parents, Paul grew up modestly, but comfortably, in post-war England. His father, a jazz player and pianist, encouraged Paul to play music at an early age. In the spring of 1957, at the age […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: Sticks and Stones

On this day in 2002, pop-punk institution, New Found Glory, released their third album, Sticks and Stones. Described by Rolling Stone magazine as “just generic kiddie fodder,” Sticks and Stones broke the Coral Springs, Florida quintet into the mainstream. Featuring such abiding Scene hits as “My Friends Over You” and “Head on Collision,” Sticks and […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: Enema of the State

On this day in 1999, pop-punk icons, Blink-182, released their mainstream shattering third album, Enema of the State. The album sold four times more than Blink’s underground breakthrough, Dude Ranch (1997), and would go on to be a massive world-wide seller. By August 1999, Enema of the State was certified Platinum, selling over 3 million […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: The Marshall Mathers LP

On this day in 2000, Eminem’s third album, The Marshall Mathers LP, became the fastest selling album of all time, turning 1.76 million copies in its first week. Eminem’s sales bounced the week-one sales record from the legendary Ms. Britney Spears and her sophomore record, Oops…I Did it Again (which sold 1.3 million records in […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: Pumpkins and Spandex

On this day in 2000, the Smashing Pumpkins called it a day after twelve years and six albums. The breakup of the influential alternative rock quartet has been a mystery ever since their final, four-hour Chicago show in December of 2000. Singer Billy Corgan blamed anyone and everyone he could for the Smashing Pumpkins’ demise. […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: Emo Elopes

On this day in 2008, pop-starlet Ashley Simpson and emo-figurehead Pete Wentz got married. The ceremony took place at the Simpson’s home in Encinco, California and was officiated by Simpson’s father. Two weeks later, Simpson and Wentz announced that they were going to have their first child. On 20 November 2008, a baby boy named […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: Cocaine, Heroin, and Backing Tracks

  On this day in in 1995, Stone Temple Pilots eccentric lead singer, Scott Weiland, was arrest in Pasadena, California on  cocaine and heroin possession charges. It was the first of his several drug-related arrests. Weiland claims that he was first introduced to heroin when vocalist Gibby Haynes gave Weiland some of the drug while […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: The Piano Man

On this day in 1949 legendary rock pianist and song writer, Billy Joel, was born in the Bronx. Joel would spend most of his childhood on Long Island in Hicksville, New York. Born to Jewish parents, Joel took a liking to music at an early age, receiving piano lessons from a Julliard-trained pianist named Frances […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: All Killer, No Filler

On this day in 2001, Canadian pop-punk outfit, Sum 41, officially blew up thanks to the release of their sophomore album, All Killer, No Filler. Filled to the brim with youthful anti-establishment rhetoric, catchy-as-AIDS choruses, and unabashed immaturity, All Killer, No Filler was a welcomed distraction from the monotony of the post-grunge onslaught. Riding high […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: From Under the Cork Tree

On this day in 2005, emo pop-punk outfit, Fall Out Boy, released either their sophomore record or their third record (depending on your view of 2003’s Evening Out with Your Girlfriend), From Under the Cork Tree. The record was Fall Out Boy’s mainstream breakthrough, thanks to the massive hits “Sugar, We’re Going Down” and “Dance […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: Speed of Sound

On this day in 2005, United Kingdom alternative rock juggernauts, Coldplay, became only the second UK band to have a new song enter the Billboard Top Singles chart with their song, “Speed of Sound.” Coldplay’s first single off of their third album, X&Y, entered the charts at #8. What was the previous UK band to […]

History Lesson

MUSIC HISTORY CLASS – Whole Lotta Love

On this day in 1969, Hard Rock legends, Led Zeppelin, first performed their massive hit, “Whole Lotta Love.” The track comes off of Led Zeppelin’s massively successful sophomore album, Led Zeppelin II, which came out in October 1969. “Whole Lotta Love” hung around on the United States charts for fifteen straight weeks, peaking at number […]