在被低估了的欧美乐队名单里，盲瓜无疑是值得记住的一个名字。这支来自洛杉矶的非主流乐队如果存活到现在，该有多少indie rock乐迷们向他们顶礼膜拜？1994年的一天，主唱Shannon Hoon在巡演巴士上用毒品结束了自己28岁的生命，盲瓜随即解散，只留下三张专辑，而这些歌已成为90年代嬉皮复兴浪潮中最具创造力和激情的声音。
Blind Melon is an American rock band most known for their success in the 1990s.
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.
Blind Melon signed to Capitol Records in 1991 and recorded an unreleased demo. Lead singer Shannon Hoon and Axl Rose (who was a friend of Hoon’s sister) re-met, and Hoon sang back-up on several Guns N’ Rosestracks, 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 use.
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, but sold poorly.