This Day in Rock History: October 21
On this day in rock history, Keith Moon played his final tour date with the Who. He later took part in special performances for use in the band documentary The Kids Are Alright, but didn't manage another official date with the Who. Moon was gone within two years, found dead at age 32 from an overdose of Heminevrin, a sedative used to combat his alcoholism.
Meanwhile, Neil Young's Comes a Time made a return to the mainstream folk-pop sound that propelled 1972's Harvest – and with similar commercial, if not critical, success. Young even had a hit of sorts with "Lotta Love," which backing vocalist Nicolette Larson turned into a Top 10 cover smash.
Bat Out of Hell was actually the brainchild of composer Jim Steinman, but the album quickly became both a rocket pack and anvil for Meat Loaf. By the time it was over, Steinman's vocal interpreter had a 14-times-platinum hit on his hands. Unfortunately, Meat Loaf wouldn't come close to that kind of success again until returning to this theme with 1993's five-million-selling Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell.
Watch an exciting recap of many of the day’s biggest rock anniversaries above, narrated by our radio host Zach Martin. And learn more about these and other important events by clicking the links below.
News Anniversaries:
The Who's Keith Moon plays his last show
Album Anniversaries:
Bob Dylan - New Morning (1970)
Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell (1977)
Neil Young - Comes a Time (1978)
See Neil Young and Other Rockers in the Top 100 Albums of the '80s