The In the early 90’s most bands followed the style of emerging bands such as Nirvana, Alice in Chain, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, Blind Melon took a different approach; They didn’t go with the style that was being destroyed (hair metal), Blind Melon took a classic 70’s approach. They took from such bands as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. They came together in 1989 in L.A, Despite they had all hailed from other U.S. cities. They had all been informed and established with their instruments, therefore took a different approach than what was plaguing L.A at the time; Hair Metal. The band consists of 5 members; Vocalist Shannon Hoon, guitarist Christopher Thorn, guitarist Roger Stevens, bassist Brad Smith and drummer Glen Graham. The band considered a few names but decided on Blind Melon, something Smith’s father would call stoner hippies. After they had been together for while they were signed to the record label Capital records in 1991. After being signed they worked on the EP The Slippin Time Sessions. The EP was then shelved. In the mean time Hoon went to work with his older sister’s best friend’s band, Guns n’ Roses. Axl knew Hoon had a great voice so he invited him to do some backing vocals on the Use your Illusion albums. This helped Blind Melon get some recognition. With media buzz going around them they really needed an album to come out, so they could get going. By September 1992 their self titled album was released however it was a little too late because they buzz they received prior had died down. After it came out they toured U.S. clubs nonstop and got an opening spot for Guns n’ Roses. They released a few videos but still didn’t have any real success until the release of their video “No Rain”. The song was very popular because as all the other popular bands at the time were releasing disturbing depressing videos, No Rain was a happy video saying be who you want to be. That song and video was the driving force behind the album which would go to the top of the charts and set the album platinum 4 times over. The toured for the remainder of 1993 and everything was going well but Hoon had begun a downward spiral. He got into serious drugs and before the tour was over they had to take a break because he needed treatment. They were able to play a few more shows that year and were at Woodstock 1994. In the fall of 1994 they began recording sessions for their new album. The sessions were productive but Hoon was still amidst his downward spiral and admits he doesn’t even remember the recording sessions at all. He then again checked himself into a rehab center. In doing so their new album which would be titled Soup was pushed back until the summer for release. In August something great happened, Hoon became a father to a baby girl. He said it opened his eyes and is the reason that he would clean up for good. Despite Hoon had been clean, they decided when they were about the go on tour it would be best if they brought a drug counselor with them, however after about a month of the tour he was thrown out and Hoon got back into his old habits. Just a few days later, he was found dead on the bus of a lethal heroin overdose. The band was distraught over it all and decided to take some time off. After doing so, in honor of their lost friend they did an album of old demons that they had and titled it Nico after Hoon’s daughter. In 1998 they decided to start over with a new name and new singer, but it just wasn’t the same without Hoon so they decided to go their own separate ways. All that’s left off Blind Melon now is two excellent albums, and sad story. It’s very hard to tell how far they could have gone.
Bio written by: AIC4LIFE |
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