Today in Rock History: April 22 – Boston’s ROCK 92.9

April 22 has been a significant date in the history of rock music, with various hits, performances, milestones, and cultural events shaping the industry. Let’s take a closer look at some interesting facts from this day in rock history.

In 1966, The Troggs released “Wild Thing,” a song that would go on to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart by July of the same year. This hit marked the band’s only No. 1 single. Fast forward to 1989, Madonna’s album “Like a Prayer” reached the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard albums chart on the same day that the title track became a chart-topping single. The album held onto the top position for six consecutive weeks, while the single reigned at No. 1 for three weeks.

Television also played a significant role in rock history on April 22. In 1978, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd made their debut as the Blues Brothers on Saturday Night Live, with Steve Martin as host. This appearance helped propel the Blues Brothers act to fame, leading to several more performances on the show.

Moving on to the world of music, the 1970s saw some historic moments on April 22. In 1972, Deep Purple’s “Machine Head” album reached the No. 1 spot on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart just two weeks after its release, holding onto the position for three weeks. Over in the U.S., the album peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard chart in 1973. In 1978, during his Bat Out of Hell tour, Meat Loaf sustained a serious leg injury after jumping off the stage in Ottawa, Ontario, requiring surgery and forcing him to finish the tour performing in a wheelchair.

The rock industry faced challenges on April 22 as well. In 1981, Eric Clapton was hospitalized in Seattle, Washington, following a car accident just days after being treated for bleeding ulcers in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2010, Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison, suffered a brain hemorrhage that left him in critical condition. Michaels later sued CBS and the Tony Awards, attributing the hemorrhage to an incident in 2009 when a set piece fell and knocked him down while he was leaving the stage.

All these events, songs, performances, and industry changes have left a lasting impact on the rock music scene. So, turn up the volume on your favorite tunes and keep coming back for more daily doses of rock history.