Entertainment

On this day in music, January 23, 1971, George Harrison became the first member of the recently-disbanded Beatles to top the UK charts as a solo artist with his debut single, “My Sweet Lord.” The tender ballad, which appeared on Harrison’s broadly acclaimed album, All Things Must Pass, remained at No.1 for five weeks in the UK. It later became the biggest-selling single of the year. The not-so “Quiet Beatle” also proved his talents around the globe, as the single topped the pop charts in more than a dozen territories, including the US, Canada, Australia, and West Germany.

In 1976, David Bowie released his highly-regarded tenth studio album, Station to Station. The album not only introduced the shapeshifting artist’s “Thin White Duke” persona, but also marked a new creative era for Bowie, as he began to explore elements of electronic music and krautrock. Led by the funk-forward single “Golden Years,” Station to Station made the top five in both the UK and US.

In 1965, “Downtown” made Petula Clark the first British female singer to score a US No.1 hit since Vera Lynn in 1952. The irresistible tune, which peaked at No.2 in the UK, featured instrumentation from future Led Zeppelin guitarist, Jimmy Page, who was a young session musician at the time.

In 1988, a ragtag group of Seattle misfits entered producer Jack Endino’s studio to record their first batch of songs under the name Nirvana. The ten-song demo directly led to their deal with local label, Sub Pop.

In 1956, underage rock’n’roll fans in Cleveland faced a real-life Footloose situation, when the city banned kids under 18 from dancing in public (unless accompanied by an adult). Officials cited a law dating back to 1931.

BORN ON JANUARY 23

1910: Django Reinhardt
1948: Anita Pointer (The Pointer Sisters)
1953: Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
1959: Earl Falconer (UB40)
1975: Nick Harmer (Death Cab For Cutie)
1998: XXXTentacion

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On this day in music, January 21, 1978, the defining soundtrack of the disco era, Saturday Night Fever, began a 24-week run at the top of the US album chart. Released in November 1977, several weeks before the John Travolta film hit theaters, the Bee Gees-led double LP spawned multiple No.1 hits, including “Night Fever,” “Stayin’ Alive,” and “If I Can’t Have You.” The record went on to win Album of the Year at the 1979 Grammy Awards and eventually sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling soundtracks album of all time, second only to The Bodyguard.

In 2012, Adele topped the Billboard 200 with her second studio album, 21. The LP yielded five hit singles, including “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain.” The monumental album has since sold more than 31 million copies worldwide.

In 1968, the talents of two great artists intertwined when Jimi Hendrix and the Experience recorded their stunning version of the Bob Dylan song “All Along the Watchtower” at London’s Olympic Studios. Joining the band was the Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones (percussion) and Traffic’s Dave Mason (twelve-string guitar). Now a classic rock staple, the track was released as a single in the US, where it became Hendrix’s highest-charting song, peaking at No.20.

In 2002, pioneering singer, songwriter, and actress Peggy Lee died at the age of 81. With a career that spanned more than 60 years, Lee recorded more than 60 albums and 1000 songs, including her signature hits “Fever” (1958) and the Grammy-winning “Is That All There Is?” (1969). The hugely influential and versatile artist was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1999 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1995 Grammys.

BORN ON JANUARY 21

1938: Wolfman Jack (DJ)
1941: Richie Havens
1941: Placido Domingo
1942: Edwin Starr
1950: Billy Ocean
1965: Jam Master Jay (Run DMC)
1973: Chris Kilmore (Incubus)
1976: Emma Bunton (The Spice Girls)
1980: Benjamin Moody (Evanescence)

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On this day in music, January 20, 2022, the Grammy Award-winning singer and actor, Meat Loaf, died at age 74. Born Marvin Lee Aday, the operatic vocalist was famous for his bombastic performances. His monstrously popular Bat Out Of Hell trilogy, which was released over the course of 29 years, collectively sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, while his 1977 debut, Bat Out of Hell remained on the charts for an astonishing nine years. As an actor, Meat Loaf rose to fame with a show-stopping performance in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and appeared in more than 50 films and TV shows during his life.

In 1982, during an Ozzy Osbourne concert in Des Moines, IA, an audience member threw a bat onto the stage. Initially thinking the bat to be fake, the singer attempted to bite the object’s head off in a wild display. Ozzy quickly realized that it had, in fact, been a living creature. After the show, Ozzy was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for rabies shots.

In 1997, Vermont ice cream company, Ben and Jerry’s, introduced Phish Food, a new flavor named after the popular jam band.

In 1988, The Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Bob Dylan, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, and The Drifters, during the third annual ceremony.

In 1983, Def Leppard released their third studio album, Pyromania. The record, which featured new guitarist Phil Collen, was produced by “Mutt” Lange and found the British rockers moving away from their heavy metal roots. Led by the hit “Photograph” the album has since sold over 10 million copies in the US.

In 2012, singer Etta James, most often remembered for her signature hit, “At Last,” died at the age of 73, following a battle with leukemia. The six-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was revered for her versatile vocals.

BORN ON JANUARY 20

1899: Leadbelly
1924: Slim Whitman
1945: Eric Stewart (Mindbenders, 10cc)
1949: Ian Hill (Judas Priest)
1952: Paul Stanley (KISS)
1971: Gary Barlow (Take That)
1979: Rob Bourdon (Linkin Park)
1980: Matthew Tuck (Bullet for My Valentine)
1981: Nathan Connolly (Snow Patrol)

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On this day in music, January 19, 1963, The Beatles made their national TV debut on the UK’s Thank Your Lucky Stars. Filming at Birmingham’s Alpha Television Studios, the young band played their second single, “Please Please Me,” which had just been released a week earlier. While the show didn’t have much faith in the group, placing them last in a roster of seven acts, the appearance was instrumental in helping the Fab Four gain exposure. Not long after, “Please Please Me” would take off on the UK charts and the band would be booked on a national tour.

In 1980, Pink Floyd’s 11th studio album, The Wall, began a 15-week run at the top of the Billboard 200. The double LP prog-rock opera has since become one of the highest-grossing albums of all time in the US, trailing behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the Eagles’ Greatest Hits.

In 1967, The Monkees scored their one and only UK No.1 hit with “I’m a Believer.” The Neil Diamond-penned song was wildly successful, attaining gold status within two days of release, while also topping the pop charts in the US, Australia, Canada, and beyond.

In 2011, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler added some rockstar spice to American Idol when he made his debut as a judge on the long-running show’s tenth season.

In 1993, the classic line-up of Fleetwood Mac reunited after six years for a one-off performance at Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration. The band’s 1977 hit, “Don’t Stop,” was used as the theme for Clinton’s campaign.

In 1980, The Pretenders scored their first UK No.1 hit with “Brass in Pocket.” On the same day, the British-American band’s self-titled debut began a four-week run at the top of the UK album chart.

In 2006, legendary soul singer Wilson Pickett died at the age of 64, following a heart attack. The influential artist, who scored 15 Top 40 singles in the US, was best-known for such hits as “Mustang Sally,” “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” and “In The Midnight Hour.”

BORN ON JANUARY 19

1935: Johnny O’Keefe
1937: Phil Everly (Everly Brothers)
1943: Janis Joplin
1946: Dolly Parton
1949: Robert Palmer
1950: Francis Buchholz (The Scorpions)
1979: Wiley

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On this day in music, January 16, 1992, Eric Clapton entered Windsor, England’s Bray Studios, to record a stripped-down set for MTV Unplugged, the wildly popular concert series that featured acoustic performances from superstar musicians. In front of an audience, the legendary artist delivered a moving set of blues standards, classic hits from his career, and new material, including “Layla” and a touching tribute to his recently departed son, “Tears in Heaven.” Released in August, Clapton’s Unplugged album not only became the best-selling album of his career, but also the best-selling live album of all time. The album earned Clapton six Grammy Awards and remains a favorite in his impressive catalog.

In 2021, Phil Spector passed away at the age of 81, following complications from Covid-19. At the time, the pioneering producer was serving a prison term for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Despite his wildly controversial life, Spector was a highly influential figure in music, who created the popular “Wall of Sound” production technique. During the height of his career, Spector worked with such legendary artists as The Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers, The Ramones, and The Beatles.

In 2005, The Killers began a two-week run at the top of the UK charts with their debut album, Hot Fuss. The Las Vegas band’s indie-rock sound resonated on both sides of the Atlantic, with the record reaching the Top Ten in the US.

In 1988, former Wham! star George Michael topped the US album charts with his solo debut, Faith. The hugely popular release, which would eventually sell more than 25 million copies worldwide, yielded numerous hit singles, including “One More Try,” “Father Figure,” “Monkey,” “I Want Your Sex,” and the title track.

In 1988, Tina Turner proved her enduring appeal when she performed in front of 182,000 people in Rio De Janeiro, setting the world record for the largest audience ever for a single artist.

In 1988, nearly two decades after the Beatles disbanded, George Harrison topped the Billboard Hot 100 with his addictive solo hit, “I’ve Got My Mind Set On You,” a cover of an old James Ray song.

In 1957, The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool, England. The subterranean bunker-turned-venue became the home to many local bands, including, most famously, The Beatles who appeared at the club 292 times in the early 60s.

BORN ON JANUARY 16

1937: Bob Bogle (The Ventures)
1946: Ronnie Milsap
1959: Sade
1965: Maxine Jones (En Vogue)
1970: Brendan O’Hare (Teenage Fanclub)
1979: Aaliyah
1981: Nick Valensi (The Strokes)

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On this day in music, January 15, 2018, Irish singer-songwriter Dolores O’Riordan, known best as the frontwoman of The Cranberries, died unexpectedly at the age of 46. Rising to fame with the band’s 1993 breakthrough album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, O’Riordan immediately stood out with her unique vocals – particularly her use of traditional “keening” and yodeling, as heard on such defining alt-rock hits as “Zombie,” “Linger,” and “Dreams.” With the Cranberries, O’Riordan released seven studio albums, as well as the posthumous In The End.

In 1983, Australian new wavers Men At Work began a four-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Down Under.” Originally released in 1980, the song was re-recorded when the band signed to Colombia Records. Over the next two years, the upbeat track spread across the globe and finally debuted on the US pop charts in November 1982. Thanks to the success of the single, the group became the first Australian act to have a simultaneous No.1 hit and a No.1 album (Business as Usual) in America.

In 1965, The Who released their first single, “I Can’t Explain.” The enduring mod favorite, which featured a young Jimmy Page on guitar, eventually peaked at No.8 on the UK pop chart.

In 1994, the prolific singer-songwriter, Harry Nilsson, died at the age of 52, following a heart attack. In addition to releasing the very first remix album (1971’s Aerial Pandemonium Ballet), Nilsson was best known for such hits as “Everybody’s Talking” (from the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack), the oft-covered “Without You,” and the whimsical “Coconut.” Considered to be among one of the greatest songwriters of all time by a variety of outlets, Nilsson was also a well-documented favorite of The Beatles.

In 1977, the Eagles scored their third No.1 album in the US with Hotel California. One of the best-selling albums of all time, Hotel California marked the group’s fifth studio LP and featured such enduring hits as “Life in the Fast Lane,” “New Kid in Town,” and the title track. The album earned the band multiple Grammy nods and catapulted The Eagles to new heights of fame.

In 1972, Don McLean’s epic folk-rock ballad, “American Pie,” began a four-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The song, which laments the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper, became an enduring hit for McLean and struck a deep chord, culturally, for years to come.

In 1972, Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100. The hard-rocking track spent eight weeks on the chart, eventually peaking at No.8. The song’s title was inspired by a black labrador retriever, who visited the group at the recording studio during their sessions.

In 1961, soul history was made when The Supremes signed a recording contract with Motown Records. Helping to make the Detroit label a household name, The Supremes became Motown’s most successful act (not to mention one of the biggest girl groups of all time) releasing 12 chart-topping hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

BORN ON JANUARY 15

1893: Ivor Novello (Songwriter)
1941: Don Van Vilet (Captain Beefheart)
1948: Ronnie Van Zandt (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
1953: Douglas Elwin Erikson (Garbage)
1965: Adam Jones (Tool)
1967: Lisa Valez (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam)

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