Sexual Awakening takes place between the summer of 1994 and the summer of 1997, and Mr. Right is a Myth takes places from 1997 to 2001. While main character Cassandra graduates college before the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, she nevertheless witnesses many historic events.The following events were mentioned in the novels.
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.
1990s Current Events: 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.
1990s Current Events: 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.
1990s Current Events: 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.
1990s Current Events: 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 20th 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.
1990s Current Events: The Bulls 70th Win – April 16, 1996
The Bulls won their 70th 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 .
1990s Currents Events: 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.”
1990s Current Events: Fighting Illini’s Losing Season
So, needless to say, I haven’t attended a single U of I football game. All that changes today. They went 0-11 last season anyway, so it isn’t as if I missed anything. – Chapter 10
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a member of the Big Ten Conference. The losing 1997 football team was Head Coach Ron Turner’s first year at the university.
The game Cassandra attended with Lars on Sept. 12, 1998, against Middle Tennessee, was the Illini’s first win since Oct. 5, 1996. A total of 35,475 people attended, and the game ended with a score of 48–20.
The Fighting Illini play at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL.
1990s Current Events: President Clinton’s Impeachment
“Are you following the impeachment?” I say, trying to read the back cover and keep my eye on him at the same time. – Chapter 13
The impeachment of President Bill Clinton is complicated enough to be the topic of its own blog. Here are the highlights:
- 1995-1997: White House intern Monica Lewinsky has an affair with Clinton.
- 1997: Lawyers for Paula Jones, who was suing Clinton for sexual harassment, subpoenae Lewinsky.
- 1998: Lewinsky files an affidavit denying a sexual relationship. Lewinsky’s coworker Linda Tripp contacts Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr about tapes she made of her conversations with Lewinsky. The story breaks to the public.
- August 1998: Lewinsky and Clinton testify before the grand jury.
- September 1998: Starr submits his report and supporting documents to the U.S. House of Representatives.
- October 1998: The House impeachment inquiry begins.
- December 19, 1998: The House votes to impeach Clinton for lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice.
- February 12, 1999: The Senate fails to convict.
1990s Current Events: Bears Losing 1998-1999 Season
“I’ll just be glad when the Super Bowl is over. Bears were in last place this season, so no clue why he cares. How can you root for a team you have no interest in?” ‒ Chapter 14
The Chicago Bears finished the 1998-99 season with a 4–12 record. After the season, Head Coach Dave Wannstedt was fired.
1990s Current Events: Measles Outbreaks Nationwide
“You’re going to get measles or something,” I say, “if you keep touching your face with dirty hands.”
In the early 1990s, there was a series of measles outbreaks as Gen Xers’ immunity from the vaccines they received entering first grade faded. I remember schools routinely being closed for outbreaks, including my high school in early 1993.
There were more than 55,000 cases and more than 100 deaths nationwide caused by measles from 1989 through 1991.
Congress created the Vaccines for Children program in 1993 to help families that couldn’t afford vaccines, and federal funding increased to $261 million in 1995.
Today, all states require a measles booster shot. This is a direct consequence of the measles outbreaks of the early 1990s.
1990s Current Events: Columbine – April 20, 1999
The Clinton impeachment and Columbine have been out of the news for months. – Chapter 21
On April 20, 1999, students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, and shot to death 13 people and wounded more than 20 others. They ended the shooting spree by committing suicide. At the time, it was the worst high school shooting in U.S. history.
In the months following the shootings, many schools nationwide enacted “zero-tolerance” policies for threats of violence and disruptive behavior.
1990s Current Events: The Threat of Y2K
“I figure,” he says, “if Y2K reverts us back to the stone age, I may never see you again. Need to take advantage while there’s time.” – Chapter 22
The Y2K bug was the belief that a computer programming shortcut would cause computers to stop working properly when the year changed from 1999 to 2000. The shortcut only allowed two digits for the year, and the fear was that computers would think year 2000 was the year 1900 and would no longer function correctly. The fear amounted to nothing.
Y2K stands for Year 2000.
1990s Current Events: New Year's Eve – December 31, 1999
She turns on ABC 2000 Today. Excited spectators cheer in Times Square, ridiculous hats bobbing on their heads. – Chapter 23
ABC 2000 Today was a program that aired for 23 hours and 10 minutes as 1999 became 2000. It showed footage from around the world and was hosted by Peter Jennings.
That year, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve did not air, but Dick Clark was part of the celebration.
This article is part of the reader's guide for The Rock Star's Wife series by Melina Druga, a contemporary fiction series about sex, family, and rock & roll. The series follows Cassandra from her teen years into her 40s as she navigates relationships (both romantic and platonic) — all with music playing a prominent role.