January 20 is a significant day in rock history, marked by both joyful and somber events. It was the day Beatlemania officially hit the United States, but it also saw the loss of some legendary artists. Here are the key moments in rock music on this day.
Cultural Milestones
1951: Ian Hill, the bass player for Judas Priest, was born in West Bromwich, England. He co-founded the band with K.K. Downing in 1970 and is now the longest-serving member after Downing left in 2011.
1952: Paul Stanley, founding member and frontman of Kiss, was born in New York City. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1974 and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, with 40 million sold in the U.S. alone.
1982: During a concert in Des Moines, Iowa, Ozzy Osbourne famously bit the head off a live bat, thinking it was a rubber one thrown by a fan.
1988: The Beatles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Mick Jagger presenting the award. Paul McCartney did not attend, citing business disagreements with the other members.
2012: Singer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Etta James passed away at 73. She is celebrated as a pioneer in the transition from R&B to rock ‘n’ roll.
2022: Meat Loaf died at 74. He gained fame with his 1977 album Bat Out of Hell and sold over 100 million records in his career.
Notable Recordings
1964: Capitol Records released Meet the Beatles! in the U.S., featuring the hit “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” It topped the charts for 11 weeks.
1983: Def Leppard released their third album, Pyromania, marking a shift to a more polished sound. It sold over 10 million copies in the U.S., achieving Diamond status.
These events highlight the impact of legendary names like the Beatles and Ozzy in rock history.
