Music History

Nirvana’s Nevermind Wasn’t the Only Important Album Released 25 Years Ago This Weekend. Any Guesses?

Much has been said and written about yesterday (September 24) being the 25th anniversary of the release of Nevermind by Nirvana. But another legendary album came out on exactly the same day. Any guess as to what it was? Gilles LeBlanc takes a look:

I’m usually not one for “This Day in History”-type triviata, but I have had September 24th circled on my 2016 calendar for some time now.

It is the silver jubilee of arguably the two most significant rock albums released in the past 25 years. Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Nevermindweren’t just Red Hot Chili Peppers’ and Nirvana’s best recorded efforts respectively. They helped an aimless generation identify itself via music, not to mention establish the modern rock radio format that continues unabated to this very day.

Back in 1991, “alternative” was THE buzzword echoing through my high school’s hallways. Yes, I know I’m old, shut up. As my OAC or Grade 13 year got underway (something you youngins no longer have to deal with), I fondly recall bootlegged cassettes of Blood Sugar Sex Magik permeating pretty much all the cool kids’ Sony Walkmans so as to sneak in listens of profanity-peppered songs such as “The Power of Equality” and “Suck My Kiss” between classes. Forget N.W.A and gangsta rap of the era – I dare say RHCP freaked out wayyy more prude parents, what with all the rumours of wild naked performances as well as drug-indulging, blasphemous takes on Stevie Wonder classics.

Read on.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39810 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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