This Day in Rock History: January 28
Through the decades, Jan. 28 has been a big day in rock music history, with breakthrough hits and milestones, cultural shifts, notable recordings and performances, and, of course, its changes…
Through the decades, Jan. 28 has been a big day in rock music history, with breakthrough hits and milestones, cultural shifts, notable recordings and performances, and, of course, its changes and challenges. This day in history was when the recording session for the song "We Are the World" started, which had major significance in the music industry. Stick around to find out more facts about Jan. 28 and its impact on the rock music industry.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Winter must be a good time for musicians because these are some breakthrough hits and milestones that happened on Jan. 28:
- 1965:Â The Moody Blues'Â cover of "Go Now" by Bessie Banks reached the top spot on the UK Singles Chart. It was the band's first and only UK No. 1 single.
- 1978: Fleetwood Mac's eleventh studio album, Rumours, went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. It sold over 4 million copies in the UK alone, spending over 1,000 weeks in the Top 100 UK Albums chart, and a total of over 40 million records worldwide.
- 1985: "We Are the World"Â was recorded on Jan. 28. The song was compiled by three dozen artists who took part in the recording on this day for a charity event supporting Africa. Some artists included Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Daryl House, Stevie Wonder, and more.
Cultural Milestones
On Jan. 28, the rock music industry experienced some major cultural milestones, including:
- 1986: The Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, killing everyone on board. This tragic event inspired Prince to write the lyrics for "Sign O' the Times," a song that helped define his music career.
- 2005:Â Traffic singer-songwriter and drummer Jim Capaldi passed away aged 60. He co-founded the band in 1967 with Steve Winwood and was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of its original lineup.
- 2009: Lynyrd Skynyrd's keyboard player, Billy Powell, passed away. He reportedly missed a doctor's appointment the day before and suffered a heart attack at the age of 56.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These are some of the most notable recordings and performances in rock music that happened on Jan. 28, which are now a part of the industry's history:
- 1970: At the Winter Festival For Peace benefit concert, Jimi Hendrix performed with his Band of Gypsies at Madison Square Garden. The set only lasted for a song and a half before the band broke up and Jimi left the stage.
- 1978:Â Van Halen released their debut single, a cover of "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks. It peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and put the band on the map, helping them launch their career.
- 2003: Former Smashing Pumpkins band member Billy Corgan's new band Zwan released their debut album titled Mary Star of the Sea. Although the band broke up later the same year, the album was well-received and made it to the No. 3 spot in the U.S.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Every rock music fan knows the industry has had its share of changes and challenges. Here are some major ones that took place on Jan. 28:
- 2005: Fans of Fiona Apple protested outside the Sony Records headquarters in New York, demanding the release of her album Extraordinary Machine. The album had been delayed for years, which resulted in the "Free Fiona" protest that ensued.
- 2015:Â Funk legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Sly Stone was awarded $5 million in missed royalties by a Los Angeles court. He claimed that his lawyer and manager had diverted royalty money from 1990 to 2000.
With legendary bands like Van Halen and Fleetwood Mac experiencing career milestones and the iconic "We Are the World" being recorded, it's fair to say that Jan. 28 is an important day for rock acts and their fans. Visit this page again tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.
