Blind Melon: The Tragic Story Of the Band & Death Of Shannon Hoon

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Today we look at the history of the band Blind Melon and the death of frontman Shannon Hoon who passed away in 1995.
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The members of Blind Melon 90’s lineup all came from small towns all over the united states. Guitarist and Bassist Rogers Stevens and Brad Smith came from West Point, Mississippi, while frontman Shannon Hoon hailed from Lafayette, Indiana while rhythm guitarist Christopher Thorn came from Dover, Pennsylvania (Thorn), and drummer Glen Graham was from Columbus, Mississippi. The members seemed made for each other as they all were considered outcasts in their respective towns with Stevens remembering his early musical days
“When Brad and I were doing high-school bands, it wasn’t so much that we were outcasts, people were completely baffled by what we were doing,” Stevens explains. “I think they thought that we just lost or minds or something. And it wasn’t that it got a bad response, it got no response. Other than, ‘Well, we’ll just let them do their thing and they’ll grow out of it’.” But the pair never did grow out of it.
They would soon hatch a plan to move across the country to what they believed was the rock n’ roll mecca Los Angeles. Smith would reveal
: “We always got magazines like Hit Parader and Metal Hammer, and were like, ‘F it, man, it’s all happening in LA’. We had big balls and little brains, and moved to Los Angeles to take our chance.”
Upon arriving in Los Angeles in 199 the pair were shocked at what they saw. Los Angeles was nothing like what the press painted it to be with Stevens recalling “It was the remnants of the glam metal scene, which was ultra-sad. I was depressed from the music scene, it was just horrible.” The pair found some support though when they met rhythm Christopher Thorn who would remember
“I moved out in eighty-seven or eighty-eight, and went on some auditions,” Thorn recalls. “I was in this sorta folk rock band, and that’s how I met Brad. I put an ad in the Music Connection, Brad called, and we became friends.”
It soon became apparent that the only the trio were going to assemble a band was to find other ‘outsiders’ from other states. That’s where they met Indiana transplant Shannon Hoon. Hoon not only fled to LA to find a career in music, but he also beame very well known to police in his home town, which eventually forced him to leave. Having spent only a few weeks in Los Angeles he would eventually meet Stevens. Steven would be the first to meet Shannon with Smith remembering
Smith: “Rogers had the first meeting with Shannon, called me up, and said: ‘Brad, you gotta go down, right now, to the rehearsal space and meet this guy Shannon. I’m telling you, he’s the guy, he’s amazing.’ He just seemed like a bro’ from Mississippi. I swear to God it was like, ‘Let’s go smoke some weed and go out to the train trestle!’ He was just completely unpretentious, unaffected by LA thus far, and he felt like one of us immediately.”
Smith and Rogers immediately clicked with Hoon and they bonded over their mutual hatred of the glam metal scene in LA. But one thing the pair did notice about Hoon early on was his volatile behavior with Smith remembering“He talked a lot, he would not shut up. I remember that first night that we decided we were going to be in a band; we’d gotten really drunk. "We were crashing at my apartment, and he tried to pick a fight with me! He got mad cos I was laughing at him - he said something really stupid. That was the thing about Shannon, he’d say everything that came into his mind. A lot of the times it would be like, ‘Why did you say that?’ Miraculously, he didn’t throw a punch - it could’ve ended right there.”
The newly formed band hadn’t yet settled on a name or on a drummer who suited their style. Up until this point they had been playing with local drummers and As you would expect they wanted someone from a small town. That’s when they met Glen Graham whom they had already known who hailed from Mississippi.
With a band assembled now they just needed to figure out a name. It would be a phrase from Smith’s father when he was a child that would be the inspiration for the band’s name. Smith’s father used to call some of their hippy neighbours back home in mississippi blind melon. With a name chosen the band quickly set their sites on recording a demo tape. Unlike a lot of stories in the music business where bands slug it out in the clubs for years, blind melon hadn’t even played a single show yet and they were already courting interest from major labels

[@rnrtruestories]

Throw your suggestions for future topics below!

[@nowisee8309]

Golden Earring

[@spiderwrist]

X Japan?

[@joeshow.101]

Pentagram.

[@angjr999]

Have you done a Meshuggah video

[@jacobahtone220]

all the bands who plagerized Tom Petty

[@misguidedangel6550]

I got to go bowling with Shannon one night after his show in Calgary Canada. It must have been in 1994 because it was before Soup came out and I was over 18. Blind Melons show in Calgary was at the "Silver dollar action center ". At the time it was a casino, a huge bowling alley and a "ball room" that held concerts/gigs. Anyways it was a weeknight I remember and Blind Melon finished around 11pm or so. The place cleared right out after the show because "weeknight" but me and my group of friends never cared what night it was we always kept partying after gigs, its just what we did haha. So we decided we would have some drinks and bowl. The bowling alley was completely empty except the 6 of 7 of us that started bowling and grabbed some drinks. So a little way later a few more guys walked into the bowling lanes and grabbed a lane right beside our group. I looked over and recognized Shannon instantly. He was wearing a beanie/toque and a pair of shades and he was with a few of the other Blind Melon members. I was actually the big Blind Melon fan out of my little posse at the show and I was wearing a blind melon tshirt I had just bought. So anyways ya started talking with Shannon and he was cool and we all bowled together and had drinks and talked and laughed for a couple hours, it was super cool. I had Shannon sign my ticket sub and damn wish i had a camera to get a pic that night with him but 1994 nobody carried around cameras back then very often and from what I remember you weren't even allowed to bring cameras to concerts. Shannon passed away about 1 year or so after this night and il never forget the concert and getting to meet him and hang out after the show

[@michaelpal5807]

Great Story!!!

[@Podcastforthewin]

I bowled there too lol

[@misguidedangel6550]

@@Podcastforthewin thats dope!! They used to have some great gigs there back in the day

[@Soviless99]

i would of loved to have met shannon! blind melon inspired me to play guitar :) thanks so much for sharing!

[@JinxMarie1985]

Thats So cool. I live about 40 minutes from Calgary.

[@littleteethkeith]

Many causal music fans think this band is just another one hit wonder. However they were in fact a badass band. I love all their music.

[@rexx9496]

Yeah, I don't think they had one bad song.

[@gushingushers888]

@@rexx9496 if there is ive never heard it

[@amoeba1533]

Kind of like a 90's Devo in other words.

[@ragantate3995]

@@amoeba1533 I never thought of it that way but I get what you mean. ✨

[@CuriousCritter17]

Casual. causal us a whole different game

[@trieungocan4584]

I loved the song “Tones of Home.” I’m sad it didn’t get more love.

[@325aliceI]

Change is my favorite...

[@alexsandereastmond7036]

i thought the land was of milk and honey instead of hate and money greed conopy

[@seekanddestroy7343]

Tones of home is a great song.

[@mondomama7223]

YES!

[@imtryinghere1]

Tones is my favorite song of theirs. It's so good.

[@MrRedberd]

The summer before high school I had a sibling suddenly pass away in a car accident. I found Blind Melon to be very soothing, as though Shannon was fighting major internal pain, as well.

[@wickedrepairs8527]

He was indeed fighting internal pain! Their songs are all very heart felt. Such emotion in the lyrics, music and voice. Truly an amazing band, still to this day!

[@lawandajohnson3953]

Sorry for your loss RIP

[@gregbors8364]

"Every guy in this band is blind." - Butt-Head

[@carltoeski]

"And they eat melon" - Beavis

[@rickwrites2612]

hehe, hehe.

[@ragantate3995]

😅

[@bloosunbrightjr.2381]

shut up beavis, or i kick your butt again - Butthead Ouch! Ouch! - Beavis

[@ChorusArtists]

My favourite band of the 90's, and having met them in Toronto just a few weeks before Shannon's passing, it hit me pretty hard. Soup is a BRILLIANT record, and many critics knew it, but fans wanted No Rain part 2. Blind Melon were my great white hope for rock in the 90's. This was a very well researched and informative piece. Thanks for not smearing Shannon's memory - he was the real deal. RIP Shannon.

[@emotionallyexhausted1410]

Agreed, Soup was really good.

[@ibieiniid4240]

I get a lot of weird looks when I tell the unenlightened that theyre my favorite 90s band too.

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@ibieiniid4240 they are in my top 3 favorites, for its really a struggle to say one band is in front and #1 from my other favorites..but yeah,Blind Mellon is right there✌🤟💜

[@scottdurning4251]

Soup was amazing! Front to back. Also the song soup from Nico is my fav blind melon song. Always hits me the right way.

[@SD-hc4nj]

@@wesleyalan9179 who are the other 2?

[@trelard]

Much better telling of the bands story. Your editing skills have come a long way man.

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks

[@jimschleich8753]

I totally agree! So smooth I didn't even notice until I saw the comment! Great job!

[@johnwayne3085]

@@jimschleich8753 and definitely smoother than ROCK N' ROLL True Stories comment replies @ trelard

[@Ballerina-Girl]

I remember at the time you would hear people say "the Bee girl video or the Bee girl band". I'm like "Blind Melon!".

[@DreamsAreLies]

Or when they’re put in the “one hit wonder” category! Like, commercial success vs actual talent are two different entities altogether in my opinion. Change was too beautiful for words, yet Shannon nailed it. Changed my opinion (at the time) of music when the grunge sound was all that was acceptable or widely known. Made me pick up an acoustic at a time when punk and alternative would’ve laughed at me.

[@ReginaldForman]

@@DreamsAreLies you are spot on with actual talent vs commercial success. Like you know when you hear roy orbison, nate dogg, shannon hoon, annie lenox, aaron nevil, etc. You never hear those voices and say..."who is that?". You hear those voices and say "thats roy. Thats kurt. Thats annie." Etc.

[@lifesentencesuxsodoesplayz7861]

Those people who referred to them as that obviously didn't listen to any of their other music...

[@gratefuldreadness3249]

Haha me too! I friggin loved that song and music video However Blind melon could have evolved into something great it's always sad when addiction takes over your body, mind, and soul. I remember the huge smile I would have when their song came on radio or telly. Some people act or think that kicking a habit is easy and blah, however if even just one person can atleast try to understand the physical, psychological, pain a person suffers j it 7 k no

[@shannond1511]

I love that you can remember that time. Seems like a very long time ago and yet like it just happened.

[@dev_jana]

Thanks for making this. One of the best and most misunderstood bands of the 90's.

[@chrishoffman6987]

Maybe they were misunderstood because they got best new metal band instead of Metallica

[@KelticTim]

Nope, ppl understood them just fine, a band of junkies never lasts. Especially when the lead singer is the lead junkie

[@nicholasschoonbeck6866]

I was an active addict then, also with a child, & their music really spoke to my life & many of us were very upset to hear of his death.

[@BootsORiley]

yesterday was the 25th anniversary of Shannon's Death. He was such a brilliant frontman, often haunting himself on stage . he's still sorely missed to this day, a quarter century later. RIP

[@plawson8577]

28 is way too young of an age to die.

[@JinxMarie1985]

May he be remembered forever RIP

[@Jondread]

I just discovered this band, April 2021...insane talent. So GOOD

[@camgood3097]

At 15:25, what his friend said about meeting him and Shannon just staring at him with a glazed look is almost the same exact story that a friend of Layne Staley of Alice in Chains once told in an interview after his death. He said he met him at an airport, and he looked really sick and out of it. He said "Layne just stared at me like he didn't even recognize me..even tho I had known him for years..". Very sad what drug addiction can do to a person's mind and health (very similar to our cultural addiction to power/inflating the ego for a sense of self-worth, meaningfulness, excitement, and a sense of psuedo-happiness..which is really just the excitement that comes from indulging in ur culturally-sanctioned Power-addiction..and this excitement always precedes an inevitable state of disappointment and dissatisfaction, until the cycle repeats..).

[@leclaireiswin7069]

We met Shannon backstage at a Soundgarden show in Columbus Ohio in like 1991/2? Anyway, he was absolutely the nicest fellow, he added us to his guest list for another show soon after. Was such sad news to hear he had died.

[@krisfrederick5001]

It's about time someone mentioned them, they were so far beyond just "No Rain." Amazing band

[@trysometruth]

Yeah I found it annoying at the time that all you ever heard on radio/MTV etc was No Rain. OMG that is _not_ the only thing of note about Blind Melon.

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

There is no one to blame but yourself. You are your own master. You are your own best friend. You are your own mortal enemy.

[@jimschleich8753]

You are your own chupacabra.

[@MomMom4Cubs]

You don't have the makings of a varsity athlete.

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

@@MomMom4Cubs you know, it's astounding what is considered a "sport" nowadays. If bedding chunky girls and farting in small paper bags and poping them in people's faces counts, I'ma get my Letterman. Dad will finally be proud of me.... As soon as we meet, of course.

[@lesliethompson4039]

@@MomMom4Cubs ..... Hahhaaa.... I'm steeling that phrase from you.... ;)

[@Whatsahandle4]

Thats a good quote. Where'd you get that from

[@milescox9732]

Shannon Hoon worked for My Grandpa while he still lived in Lafayette, he also lived across the street from my grandma and he would always say hi to her and they all said he was a real layer back guy and was real cool and nice.

[@yoitanthony]

Soup is my desert island record. So underrated. So good.

[@arnsebs6996]

So good.

[@galanvoorhis2810]

I agree

[@ambassador8524]

Huh, I will check it out. I mostly listen to phish

[@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299]

The first song alone is such a great way to introduce you to the album, Galaxie :P

[@batchagaloopytv5816]

i love a rich beef stew

[@mebenn15]

I was at the woodstock 94 performance, and to say it was EPIC is an UNDERSTATEMENT!! may he R.I.P.

[@DreamsAreLies]

I swear Shannon was the living embodiment of Janis Joplin, and yes, that’s intended as a compliment and then some. Change is one of the most beautiful songs ever emoted.

[@adonaiyah2196]

Rock musician from the South who was dependent on drugs

[@christinegatto7426]

Janis Joplin was also an alcoholic.

[@dharmabum2838]

Yes he had that unique vibe.. very interesting person. I wud get the Janis Joplin feeling in his music. And when he spoke. I don't know why people say the band that almost made it. What? They did make it. Made great music and where already up there with the doors.stones.the Beatles. Etc. Music is rich and authentic. In the middle of the grunge Era. They did their own thing. Nevrmind what sounded popular/mainstream in those days. They didn't follow trends. Pure great artists and musicians.

[@timetobenotdo]

Janis Joplin rode lightning. This dude rode rails

[@bigimskiweisenheimer8325]

Heroine ruins everything. Its not a party drug. It turns you into a loner zombie with no ambition other than getting more heroine.

[@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488]

Weed, the same.

[@AcrylicGoblin]

@@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488 FFS, that's probably the worst KZbin comment I have ever heard. Stay off the keyboard, Nancy Reagan 👎

[@harlslee8747]

@@AcrylicGoblin haha, nancy just say NO to drugs.

[@iminyourhead9936]

@@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488 Lame!

[@AcrylicGoblin]

@@sarahevans7289 the point is that heroin and weed are completely different things, and have completely different effects on the lives of users. And by plant, were you referring to coffee? Sugar cane? Corn? The first thing I do in the morning is have some of the first two.

[@duanedahljr1669]

Blind Melon was very genuine, they were just getting ready for thier big break..saw them in 1991, Shannon was vertuly unknown in Salt Lake city, he was standing next to me and my GF at the time while the first opening act was playing, bo one said a thing to him for a half hour...then he dissapiered, then reapeared on stage totaly kicking ass..after a few songs, he ran out to us and High 5ed us...totaly rad!...i was busted when i heard of his passing...just too soon for him

[@zeldrian8776]

My dad saw them in 1992 when they opened up for Pearl Jam and Neil Young. He said it was amazing and I believe him. No matter your opinion of Neil young, he has my respect and admiration. I wish I could call his style my own

[@EsotericOccultist]

Neil Young rocks too👍

[@abelincoln5698]

Neil Young is one of the original true hippies and brilliant musician. Pearl Jam is a great live band too. I never got to see blind melon but I played music with Shannon in Indiana at parties . He was a trip

[@rsohlich1]

I love Neil.

[@HooDRidEWhiteY]

Neil Young is top tier. Nobody can knock off his sound.

[@xx7secondsxx]

Soup.... IS THE MOST AMAZING AND UNDERRATED LP EVER!!!

[@danielflanard8274]

It's a weird time to be a Blind Melon fan right now. The documentary that just came out, the band touring again for the first time in over a decade the last couple years releasing a few singles along the way, and new fans discovering them every day, especially as everyone has been spending more time inside exploring and rediscovering new and old music alike. I've only been listening to them for a little over the year but their debut album is one of my absolute favorite albums, top 5 or so. Thank you for covering them.

[@MrBaklava]

Just heard about them for the first time because of this video. About to go listen now!

[@Navanty]

New songs?????

[@danielflanard8274]

@@Navanty They've released some singles over the years

[@mikefiend]

I have a friend who died of an O.D. It fucking sucks watching your friend go through that shit and trying to help and not being able to help. The truth is that no matter what anyone does if that person doesnt want to change then everything you do is not worth a damn. Luckily we were able to save one friend but lost another. RIP Flick

[@Wayzor_]

The band that kind-of set the 'mood' of the early 90's? It's Blind Melon.

[@psycherevival2762]

Oh my soul longs for more songs from Shannon & the band. Their music never gets old or boring to me.

[@floydzepplin1218]

Grew up in Lafayette and casually knew Shannon when he was in high school. All of us were stoner/jocks back then. My favorite story was him getting kicked out of Payless Super Market for sucking the laughing gas out of all the whip cream cans..... Only Shannon could think of doing that

[@williamholderfield5715]

Floyd Zepplin I grew up with Shannon. We also was kicked out of Marsh for the same thing. He was a non stop riot.

[@scottyo64]

@Jerome Lund Did the same thing in a walk in, on my way out I passed out. Everyone thought I was over worked....

[@virtusetglorie]

@Casey Stokes en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_Less_Super_Markets

[@virtusetglorie]

@Casey Stokes seems to have been local to Indiana

[@mikeoneil5770]

By far the most underrated band of the 1990’s

[@branc2795]

Change is easily their best song....one of the best songs of all time really. Hoon should have had free reign over the lyrics for everything imo.

[@michaeldalton8374]

Bran C He did on the Soup album.

[@mollflower725]

Bran C agree it’s utterly beautiful

[@lisajohnson521]

BM is one of my favorite bands... still and Shannon is one of my favorite make singers...still and Soup is one of my favorite cd's...ever

[@carolynholody9281]

It’s so sad Shannon Hoon died so young- I loved how he sang No Rain. Heroin sucks!

[@albakurkey4525]

Pretty sure it was Cocaine that got him at the end... I could be wrong though.

[@albakurkey4525]

But yeah, stay away from Heroin too.

[@williamsussman7343]

It was attributed to cocaine. He had been on an all night binge, though. It’s possible he was so doped up from H and alcohol that when the respiratory depression from that started to wear off the cocaine set his heart into overdrive. Drugs don’t suck, people do. Well street drugs suck, cause they’re cut most of the time...by *people*.

[@plawson8577]

@@albakurkey4525 It was a Speedball. Both Cocaine and Heroin.

[@plawson8577]

@@williamsussman7343 He died of a Speedball. He binged Cocaine all Friday night October 20,1995 on the Tour Bus in New Orleans, but in the middle of it, he took a Speedball, and mainlined Coke & Heroin together causing a massive heart attack. He was found dead Saturday morning.

[@harlslee8747]

The song Change really got me through today, RIP to Shannon.

[@zeus014]

I still recall one of Shannon's drunken escapades in Vancouver, BC, where he decided to take a bathroom break - without actually going to the bathroom. Instead, he just whipped it out and took a piss off the front of the stage. (Top THAT, Jim Morrison!) Charged with a misdemeanor or three, part of Shannon's sentence was to do a benefit concert - at the scene of the crime, Vancouver. Shannon's first words to the audience? "Hello, Vancouver! Nice to pee here!"

[@Anatta-Phi]

My hippy aunt won tickets to That infamous th' Doors show in Florida, and being close enough to see him well, she will vehemently defend Jim by saying, yes his hand went into his pants BUT, he was sticking his Tumb out the zipper, and culture was so prudish and square that people saw what they Wanted to see, which was more vulgar than what really went down then.

[@zeus014]

@@Anatta-Phi sounds plausible, certainly. Based on likely testimony matching your hippy aunt's, had Jim lived long enough to stand trial he most likely would not have been convicted.

[@casucasueq4479]

All I ever hear is horror stories about GnR. Nice to learn they were so cool to these aspiring musicians.

[@gzuspeterson4748]

Blind melon is one of my favorite bands of all time and soup is one of my favorite albums ever. Shannon's lyrics always spoke to me as I lived alot of the same shit he did

[@djohanson99]

Tones of Home my favorite song. R.i.p. Shannon. So sad. So missed.

[@marke8323]

My Brother is a Union Laborer, worked on a job with Hoon's brother (maybe in Laffeyette), he said the only Flowers his Mom saved after his Funeral were the ones from Neil Young. They both had the same Producer at the time, David Briggs.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Lafayette.

[@marke8323]

@@kdrapertrucker Someome forget to take their anal retentive Meds today?

[@Jack_Straw]

Most underrated band of the 90s

[@laynevlogz4922]

They weren’t underrated at all. The word underrated is the most overrated word on KZbin

[@jamesbakley5073]

HATE THAT YOU LOVE THE SAME SHIT AS ME; SEMANTICS WAR!

[@pokegenerations]

Absolutely true. I love “No Rain”, but it wasn’t representative of their genius.

[@chrisbridston3438]

pokegenerations hated that song .. and I love that he hated it too lol.. tones of home was my introduction.. soup was my fav album .. god that was sooo good.. they had a sound that wasn’t similar to any current band at the time .. I’ll never forget when I heard about his death .. freshman year at WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.. brand new album “soup”.. and whammy:(

[@brentdraper4382]

they had one good song

[@Mrcastleskeep]

Oh, the days when you could send a demo to a record company. Today, you have to have pro recorded songs and be touring with big turnouts for them to even notice. They don't listen to demos, at all; not even once. Labels want bands that are already making it on their own. Can't say I blame them but that is the current state of music. F**k your songs. Sorry. You have to succeed to a certain level first.

[@jdearing46]

The music industry is full of greedy demons imo. The music itself being the web and the execs the poison dripping fat deceptively sluggish spiders who will snatch with a quickness a soul to be devoured. Sucked dry completely. That rustling sound you hear? Well those are just the dried out husks of broken dreams brushing against each other in the hot Santa Anna winds.

[@Cornerback80]

The internet ruined the music industry. Not so much Napster and the other downloading sites that musicians started blaming it on but iTunes, KZbin, Pandora, Spotify and all that stuff. Labels wanted demos back when people bought tapes or CDs. No one buys those anymore, you can't tell a band's success by record sales anymore. Now after Covid, bands can't even make money to fill up a concert venue. New coming artists basically have to rely on KZbin now days.

[@abelincoln5698]

I used to know Shannon when I was living in Northwest Indiana attending Purdue and he was a nice guy but he pissed people off when he was drunk , which was just about everytime I saw him. A couple times we had to basically drag him out and take him elsewhere before someone beat the hell out of him . He couldn't shut up and he couldn't fight either. Bad combination. He wasnt afraid to say what he thought. One night a guy broke into my van and stole a bunch of shrooms and Shannon knew who did it. He loved those shrooms and I sometimes traded them to him for acid or whatever , so he lured the guy away from his house by telling him he saw his girlfriend at a diner with another dude so we could break in his apt and steal back my shrooms. He could talk anyone into anything. I thought he could have been an actor because he was smart and could make people believe anything . I wish he'd been able to live longer but I wasn't surprised he didn't. I hate to say it but I figured someone would kill him out west. He had no filter and frankly he was trouble walking , at least when he was young

[@iCaptainFantastic]

Machine Head great post bro. don’t often see comments from someone with a personal relationship. thanks for posting.

[@Jack_Straw]

This sounds highly plausible

[@Scoops_slinger]

bro I live in indianapolis but if you go up north every adult has a shannon hoon story

[@abelincoln5698]

@@iCaptainFantastic He was fun to be around sometimes but I got the impression that something dark was just below the surface . We had a lot in common as far as music and getting out of our heads. I was pretty wild too then but he seemed self destructive. I don't think he wanted to die but he didn't know how to avoid trouble , or just liked the action or something.

[@iCaptainFantastic]

Machine Head one of my greatest regrets was never seeing them perform live. A buddy of mine brought over a dvd of Live from the Metro one night. We smoked some weed and played it on my Bose home theatre system. I was absolutely mesmerized within moments. I’m nearly 50. I saw John Cougar Mellencamp when he simply went by John Cougar. I saw Pink Floyd during one of their last tours in the early ‘90’s. I continue to be a huge Chili Peppers fan, having seen them in Columbus Georgia when Hillel Slovack was still alive. But never have I seen anyone with the raw talent and stage presence of Shannon. He was special. A troubled, addicted kindred spirit that i missed out on. Be thankful for having known him. I’m sure that somewhere along the way that he was thankful for knowing you. If you ever find yourself down south near the Florida panhandle, hit me up with a message. We’ll have a beer and talk shop. Cheers bro.

[@thegeorgiacreekwalker491]

Blind Melon was one of my two favorite bands as a teenager and I listened to their self titled cassette on a daily basis and it remains one of my top 5 albums of all time...I was fortunate enough to get tickets to see them at the big day out festival in the 90's in Atlanta but unfortunately arrived late...as I was walking through the gate at Lakewood Amphitheatre I could hear them start playing the song "Time"... I could hear Shannon doing the chant he does at the beginning of the song and got really excited but by the time I made it to the lawn Shannon said thank you Atlanta we had a great time or something to that effect?...I was so disappointed I missed their set but was hoping to catch them their next time through but not long after that Shannon passed away on my 19th birthday and that broke my heart...I'm personally glad they reformed with Travis Warren as much as I love Shannon...I think For My Friends is a Brilliant Album and I'd love to see them perform with Travis one day...no one can ever replace Shannon though and I really look forward to seeing the new documentary about him as well....REST IN PEACE SHANNON HOON, YOU ARE MISSED😥

[@hfm2374]

I was at the Big Day Out show in Atlanta also! You remember more than me lol. I did see their set, was excited to finally get to see Blind Melon. Do you remember seeing Silver Chair? That was a good time man, seems like yesterday but many moons ago!

[@thegeorgiacreekwalker491]

@@hfm2374 I think I must have missed silver chair too, I'm a big fan and if I would've have seen them it seems like I would've remembered, honestly the only two bands I really remember seeing are Cake and the Ramones, I was really bummed out to have missed Blind Melon and the reason I was late is because my brother was off scoring some cocaine lol so when the Ramones came on we were doing key bumps on the lawn and I ended up dancing with a Really Pretty Blonde while listening to the Ramones and I Feel Blessed to have seen them although I wish I could remember the rest of the line up? Oh yeah Tripping Daisies and the Dance Hall Crashers were another 2 I did see, I'm assuming you're from the Atlanta Area? I'm from Cherokee County myself and I've caught many concerts at Lakewood over the years, my first show ever was Metallica with Faith No More opening up when I was 15 or 16....THAT WAS A GREAT SHOW 🤘

[@hfm2374]

Bucky Blue Eyes Damn man, that’s a hell of a story! Lol. You have a better memory than me, don’t remember a hell of a lot from that day as I was probably pounding many beers! I don’t remember seeing the Ramones but I do remember Tripping Daisy, they were excellent. I also remember seeing Better Than Ezra, they were really good as well. I was living in Atlanta at the time, just out of college at Georgia Southern. My first big concert was at Lakewood, been to many shows there growing up in GA. Did you ever make it to any of the Lollapalooza’s?

[@thegeorgiacreekwalker491]

@@hfm2374 no I never made it to any of the Lollapalooza shows but I always wanted to catch and I don't remember seeing Better Than Ezra, they must have played before I showed up...I love Better Than Ezra and still listen to them all the time, my brother seen them at the Chinese New Year show at the Fox Theater and sit right next to Jennifer Aniston, she was there with her boyfriend at the time, I think it was Tate Donavon, my brother said he was rubbing elbows with her and photo bombed her a few times lol, I have a childhood friend who went to Georgia Southern btw (DJ Stuntz)...actually the last time I seen him was the day he went off to school...I was a High School dropout strung out on Drugs and he went off to make a better life for himself and seeing him on Facebook it looks like he's doing really well for his self and I'm really proud for him..I'm struggling like a mofo myself and I wish I would have stayed in school but I still got Big Dreams, I'm trying to teach myself to play bass and I really want to start a band amongst other things but that's really my main dream and you never know maybe I'll drop a album in the next few years lol, PEACE BROTHER ✌

[@hfm2374]

@@thegeorgiacreekwalker491 If my memory serves correctly, Better than Ezra played early in the day so that's why you probably missed them. That Big Day Out was a great show and one of many I saw at Lakewood. Great memories! Hang in there man, it's a crazy world we live in!

[@CrafterChicken]

Crazy that I just gave this album a full listen for the first time a few days ago and you just happened to post this video. What a world! Great video btw.

[@jeremys7131]

Axl Rose is my favorite vocalist ever (with Geoff Tate and Freddie Mercury), and a notorious perfectionist. I loved what we were able to get from Shannon in his brief time...if only man...if only.

[@cindyc4470]

The Grunge era, so tragic every band lost a member or more. It was amazing time these bands were super serious dedicated. These guys are high school drop outs, they never has a lesson to sing or to play instruments. All of them sang true about sadness which all of us can relate to has been thru. U check out all the band's so many died on drugs. Bless them.

[@MFSINPSA]

Still my favorite band. The song walk got me thru rehab 15 years ago. 😬

[@justinbrutcher1579]

Loved Shannon and Blind Melon. Was fortunate enough to see them headline a show in San Francisco. I was like 16 but didn't have my license yet so my dad took me and a friend. Dig opened, if anybody remembers them. But it was a great show and I'm so happy I made good in my chance to see them. Also, I loved Soup. So many people need MTV or the radio to tell them what they like, it's sad.

[@wickedrepairs8527]

Mouthful of cavities And you're souls a bowl of hopes Absolutely a Melon head from the start! I remember watching don't cry and seeing Shannon on the skyscraper. I listen to them everyday...a little bit little bit little bit everyday!

[@daBEAGLE1017]

Good job with this video. Quite a bit of interesting info used in your content. Thanks.

[@JiaPia3]

I really disliked “No Rain”, but I saw Blind Melon open for Lenny Kravitz, and they blew me away. I became obsessed with them afterward.

[@spookygasman5162]

No Rain has an alternative version that's like a slowed down led zeppelin song. I prefer it over the original

[@craigwilson3611]

I saw that show in Toronto and actually preferred the Blind Melon set to Lenny Kravitz.

[@ellielovesbands]

Blind Melon deserved more recognition. and so did Alice In Chains

[@abelincoln5698]

Alice in Chains got plenty of recognition. Most real fans and musicians know they were the best and most original band to come out of the Seattle scene. They're much bigger than BM

[@floydzepplin1218]

Machine Head What is Soundgarden for $1000.00 Ellie? They were the original grunge band before Nirvana, Pearl Jam...etc Proof? Look at the first release date of Soundgarden

[@abelincoln5698]

@@floydzepplin1218 Soundgarden were great. But they sounded like Black Sabbath and LedZeppelin. Nirvana was basically a punk band with a gift for melody and a Beatles / Neil Young influence for acoustic songs. Who did Alice in Chains sound like ? NOBODY before or since. They were original.

[@Woffar]

How would they get recognition? They played terrible gigs and Shannon was either mentally unstable or high as a kite in most interviews. Imagine a MTV unplugged blind melon, lol.

[@treemarie213100]

@@Woffar MTV unplugged Blind Melon would’ve been goddamned AMAZING. Look up the 2 meter sessions and tell me differently. I get your point but they played many, MANY awesome gigs as well.

[@golddustwoman104]

You did an Awesome job on this Video! I'm a huge fan of Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon. Most stuff on here about Shannon or the band are short and very basic. Thank You for giving Shannon and Blind Melon the time and accuracy they deserve. I would love to see a video about the last album "Nico", and the process they used to make it without Shannon. Thank You for this Video, You did a Great Job!

[@zakeharrop5584]

Grew up listening to Blind Melon through the "Grunge " years. One of the best lyrically blessed bunch. RIP SHANNON

[@ProfessorKenneth]

They were a pretty cool band. I got to see them once back when I was 19...I had left early but I still saw them play.. 👍🏻💯

[@jesstipton]

Very nice video. Surprised to see nothing mentioned about Nico, my favorite album by the group. Maybe a separate video on that awesome collection of b-sides and demos?

[@Chuffin_ell]

I was soo strung out back when this band was going strong. Jeez, I just could not get straight. As I eventually did sober, my memories of this band and thoughts of what Shannon missed out on have haunted me. Eric C was right, you can’t get it back....

[@JustMe-01]

Just stumbled across your channel. Great commentary on Blind Melon. Your voice, tone and flow is perfect for this, Now I am going to look for your other work

[@FiZ]

I remember thinking that No Rain was okay, but when someone brought a cassette of Soup to play in a junior high art class, I really got into it. Soup was the first CD I'd ever owned, and sometimes, I still go back and give it a listen. It holds up surprisingly well!

[@EsotericOccultist]

Beautiful band. RIP Shannon 🤗

[@wadeguidry6675]

My friends were on their way to see Blind Melon in New Orleans and had to come back to Baton Rouge because they found out the gig was cancelled: Shannon was dead. It was a mega bummer.

[@jacktraver7264]

I was on the way to that show from Lafayette, Louisiana when the radio said the show was cancelled. I learned of his death the next day.

[@dragonxz61]

That's a very sad story

[@SKOJCV]

Same here- I was going to LSU in the mid 90s and we were going to go to the show that night when we heard about his death on the radio

[@ChorusArtists]

Thank you for adding "reportedly" to your statement re: Cobain's death. Duly noted, and appreciated. But you omitted the fact that Blind Melon had a huge argument on the bus en route to New Orleans, during which they were all doing drugs, mostly blow. Shannon wanted to go home. He'd had enough, had been on the phone with his wife. He missed his newborn daughter, who kept him clean. The others wanted to plow on, fingerpointing ensued. On arrival in N.O. he left for a coffee at a cafe and read a newspaper there before returning to the bus to crash. Never woke up. I think it was at least partially an undiagnosed heart defect, based on a conversation I had with a band member after the fact. But apparently the people close to him say it was drug-induced, at least. Such a shame he couldn't reign in the darkness.

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

And yet the new documentary and ALL the interviews with the band and his family say none of this. Here is the thing about cocaine and the human heart. some people genetically just have much stronger parts. For example, my buddy has heart attacks on both sides of his family. So he gets multiple stress test Heart exams every year. He could do cocaine one night and blow out his heart. You never know. There are absolutely no heart issues in my family at all. I could potentially do cocaine for 15 years. Everybody's different with the way their body handles stuff and unfortunately cocaine was probably not something you should be doing. There are loads of other drugs That he could have done that probably would not have killed him. But that shit prob blew out his heart. I had a couple nights where I thought I was going to have a heart attack. And I probably didn't do anywhere near as much as he did.

[@treemarie213100]

From Rogers directly, He said that because Shannon had been clean for a while at the time and he thinks that his tolerance was low and he did more than he could handle. Thats the general consensus among the inner circle.

[@ChorusArtists]

@@thickerconstrictor9037 I know the doc doesn't mention the big argument on the bus, but I got that story from Rogers less than a year after it happened.

[@ChorusArtists]

@@treemarie213100 Understood, but when I talked to Rogers the time, he distinctly told me he'd seen Shannon do way more blow than he saw him do that night, before. At the time, they were very confused as to what happened.

[@plawson8577]

Cobain killed himself.

[@patswayze7359]

They still play shows ,i seen them twice in the past five years,and they are still awesome,rip Shannon

[@jdraven0890]

I couldn't stand "No Rain" and you couldn't escape it in 1993, it was huge. However, it was popular right when I quit my job at a factory, and to this day it reminds me of how good it felt to be moving on.

[@bryanbond7804]

I couldn't stand the song back in the 90's either. But thanks to time and my girlfriend, I've come around to liking it.

[@happylindsay4475]

No way!!! Just finished listening to No Rain... reminiscing about good friends and happy high school memories. Damn. 🙏🏽😢

[@brothaclutch984]

I know everyone immediately correlates Blind Melon with No Rain but that Soup album is a hidden gem. Skinned is my favorite song by them because of it

[@maxs.3238]

Nico has great songs on it too check it out if you haven't already

[@HappyHeretic1035]

This is my first time watching anything from this channel. The guy who did this is underrated asf. What quality decisions made in what to present. Well delivered. Some major network needs to hire this guy as a writer and/or researcher-producer. Not sure there’s many people who can truly appreciate how much this channel did right here with this video GD.

[@phoenixivyroots7084]

"Mouthful of cavities" is still one of the "go to" songs to help me grieve.

[@olivertwisted1]

Your vocal inflection & rhythm is identical to to the American Pie girl, "And one time, at band camp..."

[@fleabagfriend85]

I'm a HUGE Blind Melon fan. They're SO MUCH more than "No Rain", which is an amazing song, itself. RIP Shannon. Remember to check on your friends.

[@TyDie85]

This is such a beautifully sad AND inspirational story.

[@Carlos-xz3vi]

One of my favorite bands of the 90’s. So talented!!!!

[@ministerofdarkness]

Soup is one of my favorite records from the ‘90s. PLAY LOUD 🎸

[@bassadelica]

Great video. Yeah, we were on the road together those sober 6 weeks prior to his “I’m just going to party tonight one last time”. I just have say because it doesn’t come across in this video, but Shannon was the absolute most likable dude you’d ever meet. Seriously. A gentleman. Talked to me about Nico daily. Insanely creative and the best front man I’ve ever seen. Had complete control of his audience, but aside from that just the coolest person you’d ever met

[@emotionallyexhausted1410]

Great job on this one, man! I like the longer vids👌🏻

[@growmiegreenthumb8025]

His flow was unforgettable.

[@IvanLendl87]

I'm thankful we got 2 proper albums + a posthumous album from Blind Melon. But I so wish we could've gotten a few more albums from them - i.e. I wish Shannon had lived. Incredible band. Not a weak song on their debut or SOUP and even most of the posthumous album is incredibly strong. Their songs still sound fresh to this day.

[@robinstephenson4461]

I saw Blind Melon on the first album tour at Club 616 in Memphis, to this day the best club show I've seen.

[@morgangadbois2092]

I absolutely love Blind Melon!!! I had no idea that spot if the members were from my home here in Mississippi!! Thank you for this work!!

[@brazenlilhussy5975]

Really cool band. Shannon had a great voice..I think it's the Woodstock performance with the dress was still a great show.

[@nathdizaradi6775]

Dude your quality of information is just amazing.. top notch channel.. keep up the good work.. just an amazing channel man.. bravo..

[@buttkrusher]

Saw them with Lenny Kravitz at the Tower Thater in Philly, they were great. I turned so many people on to this band whilst I was in college, no one would believe they were the "No Rain" band. Such a shame what happened, another in the long list of what could have been...

[@asdfhalo]

Find myself singing the same songs everyday Ones that make me feel good when things behind the smile ain’t okay

[@mackermaldrill2656]

In one of my previous bands, we covered Galaxie. It was always one of my favorite songs to play.

[@Blondie472]

I love every Blind Melon song except No Rain. Soup, in particular, is fantastic album.

[@Allthingswater]

During this lockdown has made a huge Blind Melon fan again. In the 90’s I was a big fan….family….work…then Covid!! I’m back…Change was my number one song on Spotify of 2020

[@jackoakes1998]

You should do more videos ciphering through Layne Staley Lyrics

[@czerro1]

I believe you mean Jerry Cantrell. Layne had an incredible voice, but it was mostly Cantrell's show. Cantrell wrote and composed almost everything.

[@jackoakes1998]

@@czerro1 he did a video on Angry chair and Lifeless dead which are both Staley that's why I said Layne

[@ragantate3995]

@@czerro1 thankyooou, true true ✨✨

[@toddr6575]

Don’t know if it’s too off topic but a vid about Kendall Jones and Fishbone would rock.

[@brandonpage7087]

Yes!!! I second a video about Fishbone!! They are TRULY underrated & unfairly ignored.

[@toddr6575]

Brandon Page totally agree. Late 80s early 90s they were making some important music. I think it was the second lollapalooza, they were on the bill and I got kicked in the face by Angelo in the mosh pit. I was so proud. Haha.

[@jClayT6]

Their INTIMATE&INTERACTIVE set is the greatest live set of all time...a spiritual experience and MUST WATCH! Highly recommended...the musicianship and stratosphere Hoon was on was never more apparent than this show...there was something special ab this band. Shannon is my spirit animal..I feel every breath he took during this show..every gesture, nuance, etc. You feel it! Walk, Soup, St. ANDREW'S FALL, Toes across the floor are my favs from the show. His voice is one of a kind and will never be duplicated...when you prefer bands live versions to the album, you know the band is special

[@meluciferthrasher13]

I cried when Shannon Hoon passed. Gone too soon. RIP!!

[@jamesmoss3424]

No rain is a good song to relaxes in the summer time and RIP shannon hoon.

[@TheHappys]

Honestly one of the best to do it. RIP brother!

[@brianmcgraw3827]

Watch the documentary on them it’s really good he will be missed…

[@rodroller6634]

It’s too bad he had so much hate for not only the State of Indiana, but the people that live here also. Any mention of his home state turned into a verbal assault. I saw them at The Vogue Theater. Much anticipated show. Sold out immediately. And every thing he said was negative. Tried to walk off after 3-4 songs. Band had to force him back. I’ve lived here most of my life. Ive seen the good and the bad and the boring. But Bloomington will always be one of my favorite cities. Such amazing talent wasted on drugs and anger.

[@wyleeelpuppo4868]

Indiana is barely a step above Ohio.

[@abelincoln5698]

I've lived in Indiana my entire life and I love it here. I live in the southeast corner in the Ohio River Valley. Free from the chaos of the coasts yet close to the action being a half hour from Cincinnati where I can see pro sports, great live music venues , etc. That being said , I wouldn't want to live in any other part of the state. I knew Shannon when I was going to Purdue and I get why he didn't like Lafayette. It's a conservative town . A farm town. He was unable to stay out of trouble there but it was his own fault. He deliberately made himself a menace there frankly. He knew exactly how to piss off people in that kind of community. I stay in Indiana only because I live in what I believe to be the best part of it. It's a good place to raise my kids . And I was lucky enough to find a great job here

[@ggggcaaamb5813]

@@abelincoln5698 native Hoosier born in Bloomington grew up in Lawrenceburg.

[@abelincoln5698]

@@ggggcaaamb5813 Lawrenceburg is a great community. I was there last night visiting in laws. I live just outside Rising Sun , in the countryside. Not a lot going on here as Im sure you know but that's how I like it . I like to get the hell out of here and travel when I get a chance but I'm always glad to get back home to SE Indiana. It's a beautiful place to look at and the people are quality for the most part. I used to go to Bloomington a lot when my sister was at IU. Its a great town . Good luck to you.

[@ggggcaaamb5813]

@@abelincoln5698 thank you Rising Sun is d

[@chanewinthrop1089]

Tell the story of Savatage guitarist Criss Oliva. That's a REAL tragic story.

[@trelard]

Gutter Ballet was the first Savatage album I ever listened to from start to finish thanks to a friend. I'd heard them before, but hadn't looked too closely. When The Crowds Are Gone still gives me chills. Damn shame about Criss. So much talent lost to sheer and utter idiocy.

[@Aenima308]

Wow I just looked him up, that’s sad. They guy got 18 months for his 7th DUI that ended up killing someone. Ridiculous.

[@chanewinthrop1089]

@@trelard he really was one of the best.

[@chanewinthrop1089]

@@Aenima308everyone should hear this story. Drug offenders are given longer sentences.

[@kobalt77]

Not enough people appreciate that the Album "Soup" is an absolute classic. I discovered the LP not knowing anything about, or ever heard of Blind Melon before. It was the music and "feel" of the album that blew me away, dark but with a creepy kind of beauty and humour too. ......................... Great video my friend, thank you.

[@rexx9496]

Losing Cobain and Hoon almost back to back was a devastating blow to me at the time.

[@edwardestes8038]

Shannon is buried in a small Lafayette Indiana cemetery just east of I-65.There still are people who gather at his grave and party.I was there in 2009 with a friend and left a penny.It was said that Axil Rose who grew up nearby was at his funeral......and sometimes goes back to re visit.As i was there there were about hundreds of tokens left on his grave.You can even find his grave on google earth

[@steveschweizer1130]

I parked my RV on the same street in mid-city NO (unknowingly) in 1997 where Blind Melon had parked their tour bus that Hoon had passed away in. I had little neighborhood kids rattling my door in the middle of the night asking me if I was a blind melon, freaked me out. I asked the proprietor of the dive bar on the corner what the hell they were talking about and he told me of the event 3 years past. I had such a connection to the song No Rain from seeing it on MTv in 93 over and over it really freaked me out, and still does. That was the worst place you could park a tour bus for someone with an addiction in a city that tests your will power daily. Busses don't fit in the French Quarter. Should have stayed at the Marriot, they have a nice private rooftop pool. No Rain is on my favorites to this day.

[@scotty6124]

Their first album was damn near flawless not only musically, but the way it was produced. The death of Hoon is up there with the death of Cobain since the music that could have been created if they lived would be like nothing else we ever heard. I think this is the problem with young people getting famous too quickly since they either cant handle it or just look at it as one big party and sadly learn they are not invincible. Its not coincidence that so many 27 year olds died at the peak of their stardom.