For What It's Worth

So… 1991 it was going to be … and

… out of the global conflict and uncertain nature of the early ’90s rose an incredible arsenal of rock music.

The year saw an amazing list of debut albums from Pearl Jam, Blur, Smashing Pumpkins, Teenage Fanclub, Massive Attack, Hole, and even the bloody Spin Doctors!

Groups like Nirvana, Primal Scream, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, U2, and R.e.M. would set the world alight in 1991, and beyond!

1991 was certainly a defining year in rock music and I wanted to remind myself of what it had been like.

Before we go any further with ’91, let’s remind ourselves of the big events of the year before.

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Rewind

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Ten great albums released in 1990

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This year (1990) was the peak of cassette sales in the United States, with sales declining year on year since then.

The second ever “MTV Unplugged” airs on the 28th of January. New Jersey guitar band the Smithereens, and veteran British artist Graham Parker, are featured in this edition of “MTV Unplugged.”

The first ever “Unplugged” session had been the previous November when English band Squeeze appeared on the show.

The 32nd Annual Grammy Awards are presented in Los Angeles, hosted by Garry Shandling. Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time wins Album of the Year, while Bette Midler’s cover of “Wind Beneath My Wings” wins both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Milli Vanilli win Best New Artist. 🤯😲🤭

“Twin Peaks” created by David Lynch and starring Kyle MacLachlan premieres on ABC-TV.

Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” is performed where the Berlin Wall once stood; a charity concert led by Roger Waters, with guests Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, The Scorpions,; Sinéad O’Connor, Bryan Adams, The Band, Van Morrison, The Hooters, and others.

American soul singer Curtis Mayfield becomes paralyzed from neck down after stage lighting equipment falls on him at an outdoor concert at Wingate Field in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York; although unable to perform live, he continued to compose, sing, and record.

Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong drops out of school to pursue a career in music.

and finally…

1990 saw the following notable bands form: Ace of Base, Blind Melon, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Catherine Wheel, The Corrs, The Notting Hillbillies, The Prodigy, M People, Saint Etienne, Shed Seven, Spiritualized, Take That, Stereolab, Temple of the Dog, Travis, and The Frames.

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Ten great singles from 1990

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