September 24th Should Be A Classic Rock Holiday!
September 24th should honestly be declared a holiday for rock fans, because over the years it’s given us a wild streak of classic albums that shaped entire decades. Let’s run through the lineup.
First up: The Eagles’ The Long Run (1979). This was the follow-up to Hotel California, and while critics were split at the time, fans ate it up. The record spun off huge hits like Heartache Tonight, I Can’t Tell You Why, and the title track The Long Run. It ended up selling millions and stands as the band’s last studio album before their long breakup.
Then in 1986, Boston finally delivered Third Stage. After years of delays and Tom Scholz tinkering in the studio, it soared straight to #1. The single Amanda became Boston’s first and only #1 hit. (Fun fact: some sources list September 23rd as the release date, but many celebrate the 24th—either way, fans had waited eight years, so one day hardly mattered!)
Next up: AC/DC’s The Razors Edge in 1990. This one brought Angus, Malcolm, and the boys roaring back with Thunderstruck, Moneytalks, and the title track. It marked a major comeback, reminding everyone that AC/DC riffs never go out of style.
On the same day in 1991, Bryan Adams dropped Waking Up the Neighbors, featuring the monster ballad (Everything I Do) I Do It for You. That single ruled radio and soundtracked Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The album also had rockers like Can’t Stop This Thing We Started.
But here’s where September 24th became legendary: 1991 also saw the release of Nirvana’s Nevermind and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Two absolute game-changers—one brought grunge into the mainstream with Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, and Lithium. The other put funk-rock on the map with Give It Away and Under the Bridge. Both albums reshaped rock in totally different directions, and both are still essential listening.
So yeah, September 24th isn’t just a date. It’s practically the classic rock hall of fame on a calendar. Eagles, Boston, AC/DC, Bryan Adams, Nirvana, and the Chili Peppers all stamped their mark on this one day. That’s not just a coincidence, that’s rock ‘n’ roll history lined up like a perfect playlist.
Doug O’Brien
