Some of the biggest names in rock music hit major milestones on January 15. The Who released their first single in the U.K., The Eagles’ “Hotel California” topped the Billboard 200, and Jimi Hendrix was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Here’s a look at these events in rock history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several iconic songs and albums reached No. 1 on January 15. Two that stand out are:
1972: Don McLean’s “American Pie” climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for four weeks. This song, from the album of the same name, was the longest-running No. 1 at the time and topped charts in many countries, including the U.K., Italy, and Canada.
1977: The Eagles’ fifth studio album, Hotel California, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, spending eight nonconsecutive weeks at the top. With hits like the title track, “New Kid in Town,” and “Life in the Fast Lane,” the album has sold over 32 million copies worldwide, including more than 26 million in the U.S.
Cultural Milestones
January 15 also marks important cultural moments in rock music:
1948: Ronnie Van Zant, lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He formed the band in 1964, originally called My Backyard.
1992: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted legends like Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, and The Isley Brothers during a ceremony at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Two major British rock bands had key moments on this date:
1965: The Who released their debut single, “I Can’t Explain,” in the U.K. It featured future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and helped define their sound.
1967: The Rolling Stones performed “Let’s Spend the Night Together” on The Ed Sullivan Show. The band changed the title to “Let’s Spend Some Time Together” for TV, and Mick Jagger famously rolled his eyes at the altered lyrics.
January 15 is a day filled with legendary hits, successful debuts, and important Hall of Fame inductions. Check back tomorrow to see what else happened on this day in rock history.
