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Blind Melon Information
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'Blind Melon' was an American rock and roll band from the 1990s.
Members
* Shannon Hoon - vocals
* Christopher Thorn - guitar
* Rogers Stevens - guitar
* Brad Smith - bass
* Glen Graham - drums
History
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". The band's self-titled debut album, 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). 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.
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 promotional CD with a cover of the School House Rock song "Three is a Magic Number".
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 disbanded, and the various members went on to other projects.
In 2002, Capitol Records released a Classic Masters CD showcasing twelve Blind Melon songs. Thanks to stronger than expected sales, the band released The Best of Blind Melon in 2005, a CD+DVD package that will feature Blind Melon performing live from a September 1995 concert in Chicago.
In early 2006, a tribute album to Blind Melon is also set for release by Yakmusic in New Zealand and will feature bands from all over the world. The album's profits will be used for charitable purposes and will be available online from numerous websites.
Name
Reportedly, 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. These may be derivative of the name of an actual bluesman, Blind Lemon Jefferson.
Discography
Albums
| |'Year' | 'Title' | 'Label' | | |1992 | Blind Melon | Capitol | | |1995 | Soup | Capitol | | |1996 | Nico | Capitol | | |2002 | Classic Masters | Capitol | | |2005 | The Best of Blind Melon | Capitol |
Singles
| 'Year' | 'Title' | 'Chart positions' | 'Album' | | US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK | | 1993 | "Change" | - | - | - | - | Blind Melon | | 1993 | "I Wonder" | - | - | - | - | Blind Melon | | 1993 | "No Rain" | #20 | - | - | - | Blind Melon | | 1993 | "Tones of Home" | - | - | - | - | Blind Melon | | 1995 | "Galaxie" | - | - | - | - | Soup | | 1995 | "Toes Across the Floor" | - | - | - | - | Soup |
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