Shannon Hoon

Richard Shannon Hoon (September 26, 1967 – October 21, 1995) was the lead singer of the band Blind Melon.

Blind Melon

Inspired by the success of fellow Lafayette native Axl Rose (who was an acquaintance of Hoon's sister), Hoon left Indiana for Los Angeles in hopes of making it in the music industry. After arriving in LA, Hoon met musicians Glen Graham, Brad Smith, and Roger Stevens at a party. Graham, Smith, and Stevens saw Hoon perform his song Change acoustically and invited Hoon to play with them. Christopher Thorn was invited to play with the foursome at one of these sessions and soon the five musicians decided to form Blind Melon. In 1991, Blind Melon produced a four song demo and subsequently signed a $500,000 recording contract with Capitol Records.

Related Topics:
Axl Rose - Los Angeles

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In LA, Hoon encountered his inspiration Axl Rose. Rose invited Hoon to join him in the studio, where his band Guns N' Roses were recording their albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. Hoon sang back-up vocals on several tracks, including Don't Cry. Rose also invited Hoon to appear in the video for Don't Cry, giving Hoon his first real taste of publicity.

Related Topics:
Use Your Illusion I - Use Your Illusion II

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In 1992, Blind Melon released their self-titled debut album. The album, produced by Pearl Jam's Rick Parashar, garnered some positive reviews but initially failed to make much of an impact. Blind Melon began touring to promote the album, supporting acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Young, Guns N' Roses, and Soundgarden over the course of 1992-1993. The members of Blind Melon became increasingly involved in drug use during the tour, with Hoon being the primary offender. In 1993, when the album track No Rain was released as a single, Blind Melon suddenly became huge stars. The quirky video for No Rain featured a young, overweight girl in a bee costume (often referred to as the 'Bee Girl'). The video was wildly popular and was the driving force behind Blind Melon going multi-platinum.

Related Topics:
Pearl Jam - Ozzy Osbourne - Neil Young - Guns N' Roses - Soundgarden - Bee Girl

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Hoon and Blind Melon spent the next two years touring. The tours were frequently interrupted as Hoon spent time in rehab or jail as his already serious drug use increased and his behavior became more bizarre. In 1993, Hoon was arrested for indecent exposure after he stripped naked onstage and allegedly urinated on a fan at a show in Vancouver. In 1994 Blind Melon appeared at Woodstock 2. Hoon went onstage wearing his girlfriend's dress and clearly intoxicated. Throughout the performance, Hoon baited the audience and ended the set by tossing a set of conga drums into the crowd. Also in 1994, Hoon went on a rampage at the Billboard Music Awards when he attacked a security guard.

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After taking a hiatus from touring, Blind Melon returned to the studio to record the album Soup in New Orleans. Although producer Andy Wallace claimed that drugs were not a problem during the recording of Soup, Hoon reportedly had no recollection of the album sessions. Soup was released in 1995, a darker album considerably different from their eponymous debut. Critics gave it harsh reviews and the album received a lukewarm reception.

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