What Happened on September 25 Changed Rock History Forever
September 25 Might Be One of the Biggest Days in Rock History
Today is a big day. Dolly Parton left us a little over a month ago, and today has been declared "Dolly Day." Why September 25? Well, it's 9/25, get it? 9 to 5.
But September 25 isn't just a significant day for legendary country music. It's actually a pretty huge day in rock history, too.
Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Boston and U2 all have a major connection to this exact date.
There are certain dates in rock history where you look at everything that happened and think, how did ALL of that happen on the same day?
September 25 is one of those days.
Some of these moments were celebrations. One was absolutely devastating. But together, they make September 25 a pretty unbelievable date in rock and roll history.
Rock Lost John Bonham
This is the big one. This was a huge loss for rock and roll fans, and if you know me, you know I love Led Zeppelin.
On September 25, 1980, the rock world lost legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham at just 32 years old. Bonham was found dead after the band had been rehearsing for an upcoming North American tour. His death was ruled accidental.
And Led Zeppelin wasn't just losing a drummer. Bonham's massive, unmistakable sound was a huge part of the band's identity. I mean, just listen to "Moby Dick" on Led Zeppelin IV if you need an example of what that man could do behind a drum kit.
Rather than simply finding someone else to sit behind the kit and continuing as Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones ultimately decided the band could not continue without him.
That's a big reason why Led Zeppelin never simply replaced Bonham and carried on as the same band.
More than four decades later, his drumming is still instantly recognizable, and his influence can be heard all over rock music.
Dave Grohl Finds His Way to Nirvana
Exactly ten years later, September 25 became part of another legendary drummer's story.
On September 25, 1990, Dave Grohl auditioned for Nirvana at a rehearsal space in Seattle. According to accounts of the session, it apparently didn't take Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic very long to realize they had found their guy.
Later that same day, Cobain announced Nirvana's new lineup during a radio appearance.
Grohl would go on to play drums on Nevermind, released the following year, and we all know how huge that album became.
And, of course, his story didn't stop with Nirvana. Grohl eventually stepped out from behind the drum kit and formed Foo Fighters, creating an entirely new chapter in his rock career.
Black Sabbath Drops Vol. 4
Now let's jump back to 1972.
On September 25 of that year, Black Sabbath released Vol. 4, their fourth studio album.
The record gave us songs including "Changes," "Snowblind," "Supernaut" and "Tomorrow's Dream." It also showed Sabbath experimenting beyond the heavy sound they had already helped establish.
More than 50 years later, Vol. 4 remains an important piece of Sabbath history and another reason September 25 deserves a circle on the rock calendar.
Boston Starts Climbing the Charts
Then there is Boston.
I think this band deserves some love because their debut album is legendary.
Boston's self-titled debut had actually been released in August 1976, so September 25 wasn't its release date. However, the album appeared on the Billboard 200 dated September 25 and eventually climbed all the way to No. 3.
And what an album to make your debut with.
You know the songs we're talking about: "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," "Foreplay/Long Time," "Smokin'" and more.
Boston's official site says the debut went on to become the best-selling debut album in history until 1986 and has since been certified two-times Diamond.
Not bad for album number one.
U2 Started in a Kitchen
Finally, September 25, 2026, marks 50 years since the meeting that started U2.
I'm not a huge U2 fan but again, September 25th was important, in 1976, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. brought a group of teenagers together in the kitchen of his family home in Dublin after posting a notice at school looking for musicians.
Among the teenagers gathered there were Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Mullen the four musicians who would eventually become U2.
Fifty years later, they're still making music, making this anniversary even crazier to think about.
One Seriously Iconic Day in Rock
So think about everything tied to just one date.
Rock lost John Bonham. Dave Grohl found his place in Nirvana. Black Sabbath released "Vol. 4". Boston's monster debut hit the Billboard 200. And four teenagers gathered in a Dublin kitchen and started what would become U2.
Different decades. Different sounds. Completely different stories.
But somehow, they all lead back to September 25.
If you're looking for an excuse to turn the radio up a little louder today, I think rock history has given you a pretty good one.
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Gallery Credit: Liberty