Bruce Springsteen’s classic, Born to Run, almost became the official song of New Jersey until legislators listened to the lyrics and realized the song was about wanting to get out of New Jersey.
music
In 1979, tens of thousands of rock fans…
In 1979, tens of thousands of rock fans gathered at a Chicago stadium to destroy disco vinyls. That day became known as “the day disco died”.
The synthpop band “I Am the World Trade Center”…
The synthpop band “I Am the World Trade Center” released their debut album “Out of the Loop” in July 2001 with the 11th track of the album being “September”.
In 1992 dance/pop duo The KLF were invited to play…
In 1992 dance/pop duo The KLF were invited to play at the BRIT awards. They unexpectedly performed with a grindcore metal band, fired machine gun blanks into the audience, announced they were leaving the music industry, dumped a dead sheep at the afterparty, and deleted their entire back catalog.
Metallica performed in Antarctica just to break…
Metallica performed in Antarctica just to break a record and be the first musical act to perform on all 7 continents.
In 1996, a small town in Utah mistakenly booked…
In 1996, a small town in Utah mistakenly booked Rage Against the Machine at a venue for tractor and monster truck shows. The locals panicked and businesses boarded up thinking the band’s followers would riot and vandalize everything.
When Sun Ra played a gig at a mental hospital, it prompted…
When Herman Poole Blount, aka Sun Ra, played a gig at a mental hospital, it prompted a patient to talk for the first time in years. The patient walked directly to his piano, and said ‘Do you call that music?’
In 1919, a serial killer in New Orleans stated he would kill…
In 1919, a serial killer in New Orleans stated he would kill again, but would spare the occupants of any place where a jazz band was playing. On that night, all dance halls reached capacity and amateur bands played jazz at hundreds of house parties. There were no murders.
In 1994 a man named Tony Cicoria was struck by lightening…
In 1994 a man named Tony Cicoria was struck by lightening while standing next to a public telephone, and resuscitated by a nurse who was waiting to use the phone. Not long after recovery he said his head became flooded with music. He bought a piano and is now a successful composer and performer.
Pink Floyd were refused payment after a show in 1966…
Pink Floyd were refused payment after a show in 1966. The club owner claimed “Their performance wasn’t music”. They took him to court and lost.