On this day in rock history, Pearl Jam made their debut, Good Vibrations hit the charts, and several memorable albums were released. Here’s a look at some key rock events that happened on October 22.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Significant moments in rock on October 22 include:
1966: The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” debuted on the U.S. singles chart. It quickly reached No. 1, staying there for two weeks, and sold over 2 million copies shortly after its release.
1990: Pearl Jam played their first concert at the Off Ramp Cafe in Seattle under the name Mookie Blaylock. They opened for Alice in Chains, performing early versions of future hits like “Alive” and “Even Flow.”
Notable Recordings and Performances
Many legendary bands and artists celebrated important releases on this day:
1969: Led Zeppelin released their second album, Led Zeppelin II, in the U.S. It became a massive success, selling over 12 million copies and is considered a cornerstone of rock and heavy metal.
1974: KISS released their second album, Hotter Than Hell. Although some critics felt it sounded rushed, it was certified Gold in the U.S. by 1977.
1996: Van Halen released Best Of — Volume I, featuring two new songs with original vocalist David Lee Roth. The compilation went 3x Platinum in the U.S.
2002: Foo Fighters released their fourth album, One By One. It was a hit, thanks to singles like “All My Life” and “Times Like These.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
The rock world faced losses on October 22:
1998: Robert E. True, guitarist for The Vegabonds, passed away at 82.
2017: Daisy Berkowitz (Scott Putesky), guitarist for Marilyn Manson, died at 49.
From debuts to landmark albums, October 22 has been a significant day for rock fans.
