April 26 has been a significant day in rock history, filled with memorable moments for fans and artists alike. Iconic acts like Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, and Bruce Springsteen have celebrated key milestones on this day.
In 1986, Van Halen released their first album with new singer Sammy Hagar, titled 5150. This album reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and went 6x Platinum, marking a major achievement for the band. Fast forward to 2016, and it was reported that Prince had sold over 654,000 albums and 2.82 million song downloads since his passing. His classic “Purple Rain” continued to outsell many current hits.
The cultural impact of rock music is undeniable. On this day in 1975, original Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He played with the band from its start in 1995 until his tragic death. In 1977, the famous Studio 54 nightclub opened in New York City, attracting rock legends like Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger.
April 26 is also notable for important recordings. In 1962, Sam Cooke recorded “Bring It On Home to Me” and “Having a Party” at RCA Studios in Hollywood. Led Zeppelin performed “Whole Lotta Love” live for the first time during a show in San Francisco in 1969. Alice Cooper released the hit single “School’s Out” in 1972, which topped the UK charts. In 1994, Johnny Cash released his acclaimed album American Recordings, and in 2005, Bruce Springsteen dropped his thirteenth studio album, Devils & Dust, which debuted at No. 1 in the US.
