7 Current Events from the 1990s Mentioned in Sexual Awakening

Sexual Awakening takes place between the summer of 1994 and the summer of 1997.  The story is told through Cassandra’s (the main character in The Rock Star’s Wife) dairy.  In it, she records the people and events that are important to her.  Keeping that in mind, the majority of the book focuses on family, friends, dating and school, but here are seven current events from the 1990s mentioned in the novel.

River Phoenix Dies – October 31, 1993

River Phoenix dying on Halloween was a bummer, but this hurts my heart.  – From Chapter 8

 

Actor River Phoenix was 23 when he died of a drug overdose on Halloween 1993.  He landed his first acting role when he was 12.  His breakout role came in Stand by Me, and his role in Running on Empty earned him an Academy Award nomination.

In addition to acting, he also performed in a band called Aleka’s Attic with his eldest sister.  The band wrote music but never recorded an album, although some individual songs were recorded.

On the night of his death, he was visiting the West Hollywood nightclub Viper Room with two of his siblings and his girlfriend while on break from filming the movie,  Dark Blood.  He took a cocktail of drugs at the nightclub and had seizures.  Although his companions called 911, Phoenix could not be helped and died at the hospital.

He is the older brother of actors Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix and Summer Phoenix.

Kurt Cobain Dies – April 5, 1994

“He’s dead,” Vanessa says.  “Shot himself.”

“Who shot himself?  Who is dead?”

“Your beloved Kurt Cobain.” – From Chapter 8

 

Cobain was 27 when he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  He had been addicted to heroine for three years at the time and other drugs for a decade as well as suffered from mental health issues.

In March 1994, Cobain overdosed while in Rome and was rushed to the hospital.  Wife Courtney Love said later this was Cobain’s first suicide attempt.  After recovering and returning to the United States, Cobain struggled and Love called the police, telling them her husband was suicidal.  At the end of March, Cobain checked into a rehab facility but jumped the fence one evening and left.

Although he returned to his Seattle home, taking up residence in the guest house, the majority of his friends and family were unaware of his whereabouts.

It is believed Cobain committed suicide on April 5, but this is a coroner’s estimate.  His body wasn’t discovered until April 8^.

A public vigil of approximately 7,000 mourners was held in Seattle.  Love read from Cobain’s suicide note and gave away pieces of his clothing.

Nancy Kerrigan Clubbed in the Knee – January 6, 1994

“Nancy Kerrigan got clubbed in the leg for no reason other than jealousy,” Jen says, crossing and uncrossing her calves. – From Chapter 5

 

Two days before the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championship, a man clubbed Kerrigan on the back of the knee and fled.  The outcome of the championship would determine who went to the Olympics the following month, and it was later determined that the assailant was the ex-husband of rival, Tonya Harding.

Kerrigan was unable to compete, and Harding won the championship, but the U.S. Olympic Committee sent both of them to the Olympics in Lillehammer where Kerrigan won silver.

Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder the prosecution.  She avoided jail time but was forced to pay a fine and do community service.  Her ex-husband and their conspirators went to prison.

The AIDS Crisis

“There’s nothing wrong with clip earrings.  I’m sure they just told you it’s safe to get your business.  They did use clean needles, didn’t they?  The last thing we need is you getting AIDS.” – From Chapter 22

 

Today, effective treatments for HIV/AIDS have made the disease manageable.  AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was identified in the early 1980s and was still a death sentence in the 1990s.  The disease was feared, and discrimination against AIDS patients was common.

Cassandra and her friends were 12 when basketball star Magic Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis and 15 when AIDS became the leading cause of death in the United States for 25 to 44 year olds.  The disease fell to No. 4 in 1996, although it was the fourth leading cause of death globally in 1999.

The Chicago Heat Wave – July 1995

Sweat drips down my cleavage.  Geez, how can even a tank top be hot?  Still, it’s cooler than it was last month. – From Chapter 17

 

The worst of the heat wave occurred July 12-15 when the temperature reached 106° at Chicago’s Midway Airport and dew points were near or above 80.  Combined together, temperatures felt like 125° or hotter.  Although the heat wave was centered on Chicago, it could be felt in other parts of the Midwest.

Approximately 750 people died in the Windy City, mostly because they didn’t have air conditioning (many older Midwestern homes still do not) or they were too poor to pay the higher electric bill from running the AC.

Chicagoland is no stranger to heat waves.  The area was affected several times during the first half of the 20^th century and again in July 1999 when temperatures peaked at 119°F at Midway with dew points reaching the low 80s.  In 2012, another hit the area, although with lower humidity.

The Bulls 70^th Win – April 16, 1996

The Bulls won their 70^th game last night, and even those of us who aren’t sports people know that’s a big deal. – From Chapter 21

 

On April 16, 1996, the Chicago Bulls became the first NBA team to break the 70-win mark, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 86-80.

“We came out and put a lot of pressure on ourselves to try and end the whole 70-win concept right here,” the team’s star, Michael Jordan said after the win.  “Looking back, it’s going to mean a lot. The pressure is added now that we’ve won 70 games — that we have to win a championship.”

The Bulls ended the 1995-96 season with a record of 72-10 .

The Bulls Win the 1996 Championship –  June 16, 1996

“It happened the night the Bulls won the championship,” Shawna says, partially reading my thoughts. – From Chapter 26

 

The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls went onto win the NBA championship, winning four out of six games against the Seattle Supersonics.

“We never anticipated Michael would return back to the way he was, if not better,” coach Phil Jackson said. “He was more of a post up scorer, get to the basket and still score, amazing. Scottie (Pippin) was at the top level of his game and had a leadership role that was very strong.”

***

What current events from the 1990s stick out in your mind?   Leave a comment below.  Comments close after 90 days.

For more information on the licenses mentioned on this page, visit https://creativecommons.org/about/cclicenses/.

***

Here’s the 4-1-1

This blog is a companion piece to The Rock Star’s Wife, a series about sex, family, and rock & roll.  The series has elements of chick lit, romance and erotica and is best compared to The Vagina Monologues for its frank talk of sex and its consequences.  The series follows Cassandra from her teenage years into her 40s as she navigates relationships (both romantic and platonic) — all with music playing a prominent roll.

Book one, Sexual Awakening, drops February 2023:  Teenager Cassandra Economos loves five things: Her awesome friends. Her big fat, dysfunctional, Greek family. Rock music. Her plan to move to Chicago. And Kurt Cobain.  Soon, she’ll gain another love.  Sex.  Stifled by her family’s rules, how will Cassie explore her sexuality?

Join the mailing list to stay up-to-date on the series and never miss a blog post, book release, cover reveal or special deal.

Cassandra needs your help getting her story out.  Join the street team to help.