The new year kicked off with a bang for The Andrews Sisters. On January 2, 1941, they entered Decca Records’ studio to record “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” This song became one of the most iconic war anthems, boosting the morale of countless soldiers during World War II. It peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. and marked the start of The Andrews Sisters’ impressive career, which included 46 Top 10 hits.
Curious about more music milestones from January 2? Here are some highlights:
In 1983, Michael Jackson released “Billie Jean,” a haunting yet catchy track from his album Thriller. It quickly climbed to No. 1 and stayed there for seven weeks.
In 1996, Tori Amos dropped “Professional Widow” from her album Boys for Pele. While it didn’t hit the Top 40 in the U.S., it reached No. 20 in the U.K. and performed well in Canada and Ireland.
On the cultural side, January 2 has seen some significant moments. In 1969, The Beatles gathered at Twickenham Film Studios to work on their “Get Back” project, which later became the Let It Be album. The song “Get Back” topped the charts in both the U.S. and U.K.
In 1975, the Allman Brothers Band was recognized by the Georgia Department of Corrections for their community outreach efforts, including benefit concerts for inmates.
January 2 has also marked some sad moments. In 1955, Johnny Ace was buried after a tragic accident. In 1974, country star Tex Ritter passed away from a heart attack at 67.
And in 2008, Paul McCartney underwent heart surgery, making headlines across music news outlets.
