Dec. 23 has seen some memorable moments in rock history. It’s the day Phil Collins reminded us to appreciate what we have when his song hit No. 1 on the charts. Plus, it’s Eddie Vedder’s birthday! Let’s dive into some key events that happened on this day in rock.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Two artists stand out for their success both in bands and as solo acts:
1978: Rod Stewart rode the disco wave with “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy,” which entered the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. It later reached No. 1.
1989: Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise” topped the U.S. Billboard Top 100. This powerful song about homelessness spent four weeks at No. 1 and became the first chart-topper of the 1990s.
Cultural Milestones
Dec. 23 marks the anniversary of several significant events in rock:
1956: David Murray, guitarist of Iron Maiden, was born in Edmonton, England. He has been with the band since 1976 and is one of the only two members to appear on every Maiden album.
1964: Eddie Vedder was born in Evanston, Illinois. He joined Pearl Jam in 1990 and skyrocketed to fame with the album Ten, which went 13x Platinum.
1964: Brian Wilson experienced a major panic attack on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. This led him to stop touring with The Beach Boys and focus on songwriting.
1966: The final episode of the iconic U.K. music show Ready, Steady, Go! aired. The show helped many acts, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, reach their fans.
From hit songs to important moments, Dec. 23 has been a significant day for rock music. Check back tomorrow for more rock history highlights!
