Road Crew Magazine
Music Magazine with News, Reviews, Photos and Video

You don't have to look very far to find controversy surrounding different musicians.  And today is no exception as we have a few controversial topics today on this day in rock.

Right out of the starting gate, let's take a look at 1966.  The 60's were a controversial time to live in, but John Lennon stoked the fires of controversy when he made the statement, "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. We’re more popular then Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was alright, but his disciples were thick and ordinary.”  And while Lennon apologized, it was not before thousands of Beatles records were smashed at mass rallies, burned by different US Christian groups, and some radio stations quite playing the band's music.

We live in a time era that it no surprise to hear "vulgar" language everywhere you turn, and it without a doubt runs ramped in the music industry.  If you have attended Cruefest, you know what I mean.  Hey, if you're going this year OR to see Motley on their Saints of Los Angeles tour, take note and count at how many times the F bomb is dropped during one of their shows (opening bands included).  I'd bet it'd make for an interesting number.  If anyone ACTUALLY does this, send the number to me here at lis(at)roadcrewmag.com and I'll do an update to today's This Day in Rock with the number.  There was a time however, that cities frowned upon artists using vulgar language at their shows.  In 1970, Janis Joplin was fined $200 in Tampa Florida for using obscene language on stage during one of her concerts.

And now a word from our uncontroversial sponsor:

Hailing from Wales, in 1972, rock band Badfinger received a gold record for Day After Day.  And while I said they are our uncontroversial sponsor, that's not actually the truth, as two of the band's members would commit suicide in 1975 and 1983.

Jerry Lee Lewis lived in the controversy spotlight, and 1978 was no exception, as the IRS carried out a raid on the singers home, removing cars that were valued over $170,000 to pay off his back taxes.

Raise your hand if you remember the single, My Mother is a Space Cadet. (I'd bet money my oldest son would say it was about me....)  No one???  Well, this single was released in 1982 by the children of Frank Zappa, Dweezil and Moon.  The song got very little attention, so it's no surprise you probably haven't heard of it.

Our final fact you can be the judge and with your controversy meter if/any lies within.  Today in 2001, Glenn Hughes of The Village People passed away at the age of 50, losing his battle with lung cancer.  He was buried in his leather biker outfit.

Well, I hope your day is controversy free...kind of hard in this day and age, but I'm sure you'll do your best.  Have a great one!