FAS: "No Rain" by Blind Melon

"No Rain" by Blind Melon

While I enjoy all of the songs put up for a vote this week, I am very happy this one won.

Blind Melon formed in 1989 with the moniker stemming from a term the late front man Shannon Hoon's father used to describe the neighborhood stoners. Quite fitting, considering Hoon's legacy which is wild to say the least.

After leaving Indiana for Los Angeles to try to make it in the music biz, Shannon befriended his sister's high school friend, Guns N Roses front man Axl Rose, who invited him to do backup vocals on the classic albums Use Your Illusion I and II. Around the same time he formed the band Blind Melon. He quickly got his name into the scene... and got everything in the scene into him.

In 1992 Blind Melon released their debut, self-titled album which eventually went quadruple-platinum (that's pretty big), and Hoon became increasingly drug-dependant. His rap sheet lists:

• Once arrested for indecent exposure after he urinated on a fan in Vancouver (you can't tell that you have never wanted to pee on a Canadian...)


• Smoked pot openly on stage


• At the contradictory Woodstock '94 he went onstage wearing his girlfriend's dress, clearly drunk, and tossed a set of conga drums into the crowd


• Attacked a security guard at the Billboard Music Awards


• Reportedly had no recollection of recording their second album Soup


• Was in and out of rehab his entire career

Very rock and roll for a guy named Shannon.

It all came to a crux in Houston after an all-night cocaine binge when one of the roadies was unable to wake him. Thanks a lot, Houston.

In spite of all the drugs (or maybe because of it), Blind Melon put forth one of the most classic rock sounds since classic rock was just called "rock." His vocals bring back times from the 60s and 70s, leading you to assume he was on stage rocking with Janis Joplin at the original Woodstock rather than sharing the stage with Cypress Hill and Nine Inch Nails.

But no matter if you were a dedicated fan or just a passerby in the 90's, everyone knew of the Bee Girl. She instantly became an icon (and apparently is a struggling actress now), and helped bring this catchy pop tune to permeate every living soul during that time.

Well, as it turns out, Blind Melon has reformed a couple times with different lead singers, but none have been able to equal Hoon's prowess. They are currently looking for their next one if any of you are interested.

A simple MP3 would not do this song justice, so I am posting the classic music video.

Get our your bee suits and rain sticks, and enjoy.



Cheers,