Eddie Van Halen poses with Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister during the Hollywood premier of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey on July 11, 1991

Though the sequel wasn’t as well received as the original, the movie nonetheless was released during an amazing time for the genre that Bill & Ted characterized: Van Halen’s classic ninth album, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, debuted the previous month, while Motörhead’s Grammy-nominated tenth album, 1916, had been released in January.

A month after Bill & Ted conquered death — which was as ridiculous and, yet, surprisingly amiable as it sounds — Rock n Roll heaven opened up when seven of the most definitive bangers of all-time were released just 44 days apart: Metallica’s eponymous fifth album, still the biggest seller of the Soundscan era; Pearl Jam’s Ten, Use Your Illusion I and II by Guns N’ Roses, Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger, and the album that started a revolution, Nevermind by Nirvana.

Take it from someone who was there… it was a wonderful time to be alive.