On this day in rock history, The Beatles scored another No. 1 hit, Iron Maiden recorded their first tracks, and Santana released one of his most famous songs. Let’s dive into these key events from December 30.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
1967: The Beatles’ song “Hello, Goodbye” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it stayed for three weeks. This marked the band’s 15th U.S. No. 1 hit, and it also topped the charts in the U.K.
1978: Iron Maiden started recording their first demo, The Soundhouse Tapes, at Spaceward Studios in Cambridge, England. The demo caught the attention of a London DJ, leading to a huge demand for the band.
Cultural Milestones
Several legendary musicians were born on December 30:
1928: Bo Diddley was born in McComb, Mississippi. His influence reached many artists, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
1946: Patti Smith was born in Deptford Township, New Jersey. She played a key role in the punk rock movement of the 1970s and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
1947: Jeff Lynne was born in Birmingham, England. He co-founded the Electric Light Orchestra and formed the Traveling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, and Tom Petty.
Notable Recordings and Performances
1969: Santana released the single “Evil Ways,” part of his self-titled debut album. It became his first U.S. Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1974: Bob Dylan finished recording key tracks for his album, Blood on the Tracks, including “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Idiot Wind.”
From famous birthdays to legendary debuts, December 30 is filled with important rock moments. Check back tomorrow for more rock history!
