From Rolling Stone · Rob Sheffield · · 2m
Sept 24 1991: Music Revolution Day
Four iconic albums dropped on Sept 24 1991 changing music forever.
In brief
Four iconic albums dropped on Sept 24 1991 changing music forever. Nirvana's Nevermind, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory, and Pixies' Trompe Le Monde all released on Sept 24 1991 reshaped music for decades. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
Sept 24 1991
Four classic albums dropped on the same day: Nirvana's Nevermind, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory, and Pixies' Trompe Le Monde.
“All four were instant sensations, to the shock of the industry, transforming how everything would sound for the next decade”
C&C Music Factory Incident
C&C Music Factory rapper Freedom Williams passed out cold onstage during a Tucson show on Aug 23 1991.
“The official explanation was the usual 'dehydration' and 'exhaustion'”
Music Factory Collapse
The music factory that made Eighties radio a hit was finally out of gas by late 1991.
“Not even the dude from c and c music factory could stay awake through his own hits”
Audience Demand Shift
Fans demanded change after the C&C Music Factory incident, ready for new music.
“Here we are now. Entertain us”
Bryan Adams' Record
Bryan Adams released Waking Up the Neighbors with the summer's biggest hit '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You'.
“A perfectly nice little bryan a record”
SoundScan Era Begins
The SoundScan era started in 1991, forcing charts to reflect actual sales.
“The charts reflected what people were actually buying”
MTV Video Music Awards
R.E.M. won everything for 'Losing My Religion' at the 1991 VMAs.
“Pee-wee Herman kicked off the show by asking 'Heard any good jokes lately?'”
Nirvana's Impact
Nirvana's Nevermind became a massive hit with 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'.
“Kurt cobain's passionate yowls and that stupid-and-contagious air-guitar riff”
Chart Debut
Nevermind debuted at Number 144 on the chart, four notches behind Warrant's Cherry Pie.
“It was the last week in history that more customers went for warrant than nirvana”
Rise to Number One
Nevermind reached Number One after a few weeks, defying expectations.
“The audience decided to drop that zero and get with the hero”
Guns N' Roses Release
Guns N' Roses released Use Your Illusion I and II on Sept 17 1991.
“The full-page ad in billboard proclaimed 'Guns N' Roses Will Release No Album Before Its Time. It's Time.'”
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik featured 'Give It Away' and 'Under the Bridge'.
“With help from new guitar whiz john frusciante”
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory updated hip-hop with jazz influences.
“It proved hip-hop's creative diversity after a year when some thought gangsta was the only game in town”
The Year Punk Broke
1991 was The Year Punk Broke with Nirvana leading the grunge revolution.
“Sonic youth famously proclaimed it was the year punk broke”
What it means
Nirvana's Nevermind, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory, and Pixies' Trompe Le Monde all released on Sept 24 1991 reshaped music for decades.
