Next year is a significant year when it comes to major events and anniversaries in music. Whether you know it or not, there is some seriously important stuff going down. Let’s start with the past and work our way to the present…
1994
I don’t remember all that much about 1994 considering I was only 6 years old, but I was aware enough to know big stuff was happening. Green Day’s Dookie and Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy were two of the major albums of that year. Nirvana played their last live show together on March 1st in Munich, Germany. Kurt was found dead in his Seattle home just over a month later. The band subsequently disbanded and in October of ‘94, Dave Grohl went into the studio to record a demo tape of the songs he had written while in Nirvana but had kept from the world. He soon went on to form the Foo Fighters by years end. Korn, Oasis, Blink 182 and Arctic Monkey’s all release their debut albums and Aerosmith becomes the first major band to premiere a new song over the internet. Has it really been 20 years since then? Good lord, I feel old!
2004
Green Day breaks their 4 year dry spell and release the monumental success that is American Idiot, an album that sold 15 million copies worldwide. Originally supposed to be titled Cigarettes and Valentines, the master tracks were stolen and the band decided to write a new album instead of re-record. Just months after deciding to part ways with singer Scott Stapp, guitarist Mark Tremonti and Drummer Scott Phillips get back their old bassist, Brian Marshall. They go on to recruit Myles Kennedy of the Mayfield Four and form Alter Bridge, who are expected to release their fourth album later this year. Outkast becomes the first rap group to win album of the year with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Due to poor ticket sales, Lollapalooza was canceled this year.
Coachella 2013 has just wrapped, but there is already speculation and rumors about some major acts next year including Daft Punk, Kayne West and Outkast. All the other major festivals are giving little bits and pieces of information about lineups for next year as well. Needless to say there will be good and interesting stuff happening. There are expected album releases by Metallica, Adele, Iron Maiden and “Guns n Roses” as well.
