Questions
Who were Blind Melon and when did they form?
Blind Melon were a rock band that formed in Los Angeles in March 1990, when guitarists Rogers Stevens and Brad Smith met vocalist Shannon Hoon. The classic lineup rounded out with guitarist Christopher Thorn and drummer Glen Graham.
Where did the band name come from?
Reportedly the quirky name came from a nickname that Brad Smith’s father had used to describe hippies.
What is their most famous song?
"No Rain" is the band’s signature hit. Off their 1992 debut album, it became an MTV staple starting in July 1993 and turned the group into an international success.
Who is the Bee Girl?
The Bee Girl in the "No Rain" video was played by child actress Heather DeLoach, whose tap-dancing character in a bee costume became one of the most memorable images of the era.
How well did their debut album sell?
After "No Rain" took off, the self-titled 1992 debut eventually went quadruple platinum. By 2008 the band had sold over 3.2 million albums in the United States.
What was Shannon Hoon’s connection to Guns N’ Roses?
Hoon, a native of Lafayette, Indiana, was associated with Axl Rose, and he provided backing vocals on Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion I and II (1991), including the single "Don’t Cry."
Did Blind Melon play any big festivals?
Yes. They performed at Woodstock ’94 and supported legendary acts including Neil Young and the Rolling Stones.
What happened to Shannon Hoon?
Hoon died of a cocaine-induced heart attack on October 21, 1995, on the band’s tour bus in New Orleans. His daughter Nico was only 13 weeks old at the time.
What was different about the album Soup?
Their 1995 second album Soup featured shorter songs and a less conventional approach, incorporating New Orleans-style jazz along with horn sections and banjo.
Where was the debut album recorded?
The band relocated to Durham, North Carolina and worked on their self-titled debut with producer Rick Parashar.
What was the "Sippin’ Time Sessions"?
Reportedly it was an early EP overseen by producer David Briggs after Capitol A&R executive Tim Devine signed the band. It went unreleased because the band was dissatisfied with the production quality.
Is there a tribute album to Shannon Hoon?
Yes. Released in 1996, the album "Nico" was named for Hoon’s daughter, who was only 13 weeks old when her father died.
Did the band ever reunite?
After dissolving in 1999, Blind Melon reunited in 2006 with new vocalist Travis Warren, released "For My Friends" in 2008, and reunited again in 2010. The group has received four Grammy Award nominations.
