February 1st is a big day in rock history, marking several important firsts. On this day, Pink Floyd signed their first professional recording contract, Neil Young played his first gig, and The Beatles kicked off their run of No. 1 hits in the US. Let’s dive into these key events and more.
In 1964, The Beatles scored their first US No. 1 with “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and launched the band into superstardom, leading to a total of 20 chart-toppers.
Fast forward to 1992, when Elton John and George Michael released their duet “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” which also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. All proceeds from the song went to AIDS charities.
February 1st is also significant for cultural milestones. In 1963, Neil Young played his first professional show with his band The Squires at a Winnipeg country club, earning just $5 for the gig.
In 1967, Pink Floyd signed with EMI Records, marking their transition to a professional band. They recorded their first two singles, “Arnold Layne” and “Candy and a Currant Bun,” on the same day.
Notable recordings from this day include James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” in 1965, which helped define funk music. In 1980, Blondie released “Call Me,” which became their biggest hit. And in 1994, Green Day dropped their major label debut, “Dookie,” selling over 20 million copies in the US.
These events highlight the rich history of rock music on February 1st. Check back tomorrow for more rock history!
