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Blind Melon is an American rock band known in the 1990s, who has now, in 2006, reformed with a new lead vocalist, Travis Warren.
Name
Reportedly, the name "Blind Melon" describes some hippies from Mississippi, as used (or coined) by Brad Smith's father. Also, "Blind Melon Chitlin" was the name of a fictional bluesman appearing in a routine on the self-titled Cheech and Chong LP, and a "Blind Lemon Pie" character appears in the 1978 movie mockumentary of the Rutles, "All You Need Is Cash". These may be a derivative of the name of bluesman Blind Lemon Jefferson, as "melon" is an anagram of "lemon".
History
Blind Melon signed to Capitol Records in 1991 (see 1991 in music) and recorded an unreleased demo. Frontman Shannon Hoon and Axl Rose (who was a friend of Hoon's sister) re-met, and Hoon sang back-up on several Guns N' Roses tracks, including "Don't Cry".Prato, Greg. "Blind Melon". All Music Guide. Retrieved July 24, 2005. The band's self-titled debut album, produced by Rick Parashar (Pearl Jam), sold poorly until the single and music video for "No Rain" hit the airwaves and became a smash success, along with the popular video which featured the equally popular "Bee Girl" (played by Heather DeLoach). Subsequently, Blind Melon went platinum four times. After opening for Neil Young, Lenny Kravitz, Soundgarden and The Rolling Stones, Blind Melon's own tour was cut short due to Hoon's escalating drug abuse.
Hoon and the rest of the band began recording their sophomore album in New Orleans with producer Andy Wallace. Hoon would later admit that he had no memory of the recording session. While Hoon checked into rehab, the album, Soup, was released in 1995 (see 1995 in music), but sold poorly. The album featured backing vocals from Jena Kraus, who subsequently recorded a solo record with Christopher Thorn and Brad Smith. In 1995, Blind Melon also contributed the song "Out on the Tiles" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin, as well as a promotional CD with a cover of the School House Rock song "Three is a Magic Number".
Against the advice of Hoon's drug counselor, Blind Melon went on tour. Hoon was found dead of a cocaine overdose on October 21, 1995 in New Orleans. With some unreleased vocals in the vaults, the remaining members released Nico in 1996, with the profits going to a program that helps musicians with drug and alcohol addiction. After briefly attempting to continue, Blind Melon officially disbanded on March 4, 1999, and the various members went on to other projects.
In 2002, Capitol Records released a Classic Masters CD showcasing twelve Blind Melon songs. Thanks to stronger than expected sales, the band released The Best of Blind Melon in 2005, a CD+DVD package that features Blind Melon performing live from a September 1995 concert in Chicago.
In early 2006, a tribute album to Blind Melon is also set for release by Yakmusic in New Zealand and will feature bands from all over the world. The album's profits will be used for charitable purposes and will be available online from numerous websites.
In April 2006, Capitol Records released the Live At The Palace CD that was rereleased in the fall (October 17, 2006) with a new package.
On September 15th, 2006, it was announced that Blind Melon is back together with a new lead singer, Travis Warren (Rain Fur Rent frontman). Further information on www.beemelon.com and [1].
On Thursday, November 9th, 2006, three new Blind Melon songs were released. The titles are: Make a Difference, For My Friends and Harmful Belly. The new tracks, along with a brand new video can be accessed by visiting the website [2].
Members
- Shannon Hoon (Deceased) - vocals, harmonica, kazoo and acoustic guitar (1989-1995)
- Christopher Thorn - guitar, mandolin and harmonica
- Rogers Stevens - guitar and piano
- Brad Smith - bass, flute and background vocals
- Glenn Graham - drums and percussion
- Travis Warren - vocals
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Label
|
|---|
| 1992 | Blind Melon | Capitol
|
| 1995 | Soup | Capitol
|
| 1996 | Nico | Capitol
|
| 2002 | Classic Masters | Capitol
|
| 2005 | The Best of Blind Melon | Capitol
|
| 2006 | Live At The Palace | Capitol
|
Singles
Year
| Title
| Chart positions
| Album
|
|---|
US Hot 100
| US Mainstream Rock
| US Modern Rock
| UK
|
1993
| "Change"
| -
| -
| -
| -
| Blind Melon
|
1993
| "I Wonder"
| -
| -
| -
| #1
| Blind Melon
|
1994
| "No Rain"
| #20
| #1
| #1
| #17
| Blind Melon
|
1994
| "Tones of Home"
| -
| #10
| #20
| #18
| Blind Melon
|
1995
| "Galaxie"
| -
| #25
| #8
| -
| Soup
|
1995
| "Toes Across the Floor"
| -
| -
| -
| -
| Soup
|
1996
| "The Pusher"
| -
| -
| -
| -
| Nico
|
Notable events in the history of Blind Melon
- Richard Shannon Hoon born on September 26, 1967 in Lafayette, Indiana.
- Brad Smith born on September 29, 1968 in West Point, Mississippi.
- Glen Graham born on December 5, 1968 in Columbus, Mississippi.
- Christopher Thorn born on December 16, 1968 in Dover, Pennsylvania.
- Rogers Stevens born on October 31, 1970 in West Point, Mississippi.
- Blind Melon forms in Los Angeles, California, in 1989.
- Shannon Hoon duets with Axl Rose on the Guns Nâ?? Roses track â??Donâ??t Cry,â?? from â??Use Your Illusion in 1991.
- Blind Melon signs with Capitol Records in 1991.
- Blind Melon tours as part of MTVâ??s â??120 Minutes Tourâ?? (alongside Public Image Limited, Big Audio Dynamite, and Live) in the spring of 1992.
- Blind Melonâ??s self-titled debut is released on September 14, 1992.
- Blind Melon opens for the likes of Neil Young, Soundgarden, Ozzy Osbourne, Lenny Kravitz, and Guns Nâ?? Roses, in addition to their own headlining tour of clubs, throughout late 1992 and early 1994.
- â??No Rainâ?? released as single, video aired heavily on MTV in summer of 1993.
- â??Blind Melonâ?? certified double platinum certification on December 17, 1993.
- â??Saturday Night Liveâ?? appearance (â??No Rainâ?? and â??Paper Scratcherâ?? are performed) on January 8, 1994.
- Blind Melon is nominated for two Grammy Awards â?? Best Rock Performance and Best New Artist on March 1, 1994.
- â??Late Show With David Lettermanâ?? appearance (â??Changeâ?? is performed and dedicated to Kurt Cobain, whose body was discovered that day) on April 8, 1994.
- Blind Melon plays Woodstock â??94, between Joe Cocker and the Rollins Band, on August 13, 1994.
- â??Soupâ?? released on August 15, 1995.
- U.S. tour begins on September 19, 1995.
- Second â??Late Show With David Lettermanâ?? appearance (â??Galaxieâ?? is performed) on September 21, 1995.
- Shannon Hoon dies from a drug overdose on October 21, 1995.
- â??Blind Melonâ?? certified quadruple platinum on November 13, 1995.
- â??Nicoâ?? and â??Letters from a Porcupineâ?? released on November 12, 1996.
- â??Letters from a Porcupineâ?? is nominated for â??Best Long Form Music Videoâ?? at the Grammy Awards on February 25, 1998.
- After an attempt to find a new singer doesnâ??t pan out, Blind Melon officially disbands on March 4, 1999.
- VH1â??s â??Behind The Music: Blind Melonâ?? premieres on September 9, 2001.
- â??Tones Of Home: The Best Of Blind Melonâ?? (CD) and 'Live At The Metro' (DVD) released on September 27, 2005
- â??Live At The Palaceâ?? released on April 4, 2006.
- â??Live At The Palaceâ?? reissued on October 17, 2006.
- â??Twenty Stories Belowâ??, a tribute album to Blind Melon is set to be released on December 15, 2006 on YakMusic label at http://www.blindmelontribute.com
- September 15th, 2006 Blind Melon announce that Travis Warren, fomerly of Rain Fur Rent is the new lead singer of the band and that they are working on a new album.
Other projects featuring former members
The Tender Trio
featuring:
Royston Langdon of Spacehog
Rogers Stevens of Blind Melon
Rene Lopez (NYC musician)
Unified Theory - Self Titled - Brad, Christopher
Audio CD (August 15, 2000)
Original Release Date: August 15, 2000
Label: Universal
Catalog: #159275
ASIN: B00004WF6B
Extra Virgin - 12 Stories High - Rogers
Audio CD (April 24, 2001)
Label: Old Lady
ASIN: B00005BC88
Live - Distance To Here - Christopher
Audio CD (October 5, 1999)
Original Release Date: October 5, 1999
Label: Mca
Catalog: #111966
ASIN: B00001QENU
Mercy - Abandon Jalopy - Brad, Christopher, Glen, Rogers
Audio CD (June 12, 2001)
Original Release Date: June 12, 2001
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Stankface
ASIN: B00005MG93
Joe Tullos - Scoundrel's Waltz - Brad, Rogers, Glen
Audio CD (June 3, 1997)
Original Release Date: June 03, 1997
Label: Dinosaur
Catalog: #84511
ASIN: B000005CGQ
James Mathus - Songs for Rosetta - Glen
Audio CD (August 31, 1999)
Original Release Date: October 21, 1997
Label: Mammoth / Pgd
Catalog: #980179
ASIN: B000004AYB
Amy Correia - Carnival Love - Brad, Christopher
Audio CD (September 12, 2000)
Original Release Date: September 12, 2000
Label: Capitol
Catalog: #98221
ASIN: B00004X0PJ
Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day - Brad, Christopher
Audio CD (April 19, 2005)
Original Release Date: April 19, 2005
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Sony
ASIN: B00061U64S
See also
- List of alternative music artists
- List of drug-related deaths
- Unified Theory (band)
References
External links
de:Blind Melon
es:Blind Melon
fr:Blind Melon
is:Blind Melon
pt:Blind Melon
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