Blind Melon

Blind Melon was an American rock and roll band from the 1990s, composed of Shannon Hoon, Brad Smith, Glen Graham, Rogers Stevens and Christopher Thorn. 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.

Related Topics:
American - Rock and roll - 1990s - Shannon Hoon - Glen Graham - Rogers Stevens - Christopher Thorn - Hippie - Mississippi

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Blind Melon signed to Capitol Records in 1991 (see 1991 in music) and recorded an unreleased demo. 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".{{ref|prato}} Their debut album, Blind Melon, 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 and the subject of a 2003 Pearl Jam song entitled "Bee Girl"). Subsequently, Blind Melon went platinum four times. After opening for Neil Young and Lenny Kravitz, Blind Melon's own tour was cut short due to Hoon's escalating drug abuse.

Related Topics:
Capitol Records - 1991 - 1991 in music - Axl Rose - Guns n' Roses - Blind Melon - Produced - Rick Parashar - Pearl Jam - Music video - No Rain - Video - Bee Girl - Heather DeLoach - 2003 - Neil Young - Lenny Kravitz - Drug abuse

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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. In 1995, Blind Melon also contributed the song "Out on the Tiles" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin, as well as a promo cd with a cover of the School House Rock song Three is a Magic Number.

Related Topics:
New Orleans - Andy Wallace - Soup - 1995 - 1995 in music - Encomium - Led Zeppelin - School House Rock - Three is a Magic Number

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Against the advice of Hoon's drug counselor, Blind Melon went on tour. Hoon was found dead of an overdose on October 21, 1995 in New Orleans. With some unreleased vocals in the vaults, the remaining members released Nico in 1996 (see 1996 in music) with the profits going to a program that helps musicians with drug and alcohol addiction. After briefly attempting to continue, Blind Melon soon broke up and the various members went on to other projects.

Related Topics:
Overdose - October 21 - Nico - 1996 - 1996 in music

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In 2002, Capitol Records released a "Classic Masters" cd showcasing 12 Blind Melon songs. Thanks to stronger than expected sales, the band is releasing The Best of Blind Melon a cd+dvd package that will feature Blind Melon performing live from a September 1995 concert in Chicago. The album is available September 27, 2005.

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