Many legendary rock acts, like The Beatles and The Eagles, hit major milestones on December 7. Here are some key events in rock history that happened on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
On December 7, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee recorded a classic single, and several rock legends topped the charts in the U.K.:
1963: The Beatles’ second album, *With the Beatles*, reached No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart, staying there for 21 weeks. It took over from their debut album, *Please Please Me*, which held the top spot for 30 weeks.
1967: Otis Redding recorded his biggest hit, “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay.” Tragically, he died in a plane crash just three days later. The song was released posthumously and won two GRAMMY Awards.
1968: The Beatles’ self-titled album, known as *The White Album*, topped the U.K. albums chart for seven weeks. It was the first album released on their own Apple Records label and has sold over 30 million copies.
1991: George Michael and Elton John’s live duet of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” hit No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart. This performance was recorded during Michael’s show at Wembley Arena, where John made a surprise appearance.
Cultural Milestones
Here are some cultural highlights from December 7:
1949: Singer-songwriter Tom Waits was born in Pomona, California. His music blends rock and funk and has inspired many artists.
1999: The Eagles announced that their album, *Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975*, became the best-selling record in U.S. history, surpassing Michael Jackson’s *Thriller*. This compilation has sold over 38 million copies in the U.S.
December 7 is a significant day in rock history, filled with chart-topping hits and major milestones. Check back tomorrow to see what else happened on this day in rock history!
