On this day in rock history, The Beatles were at the top of both the singles and album charts, while music legends like Elvis Presley and David Bowie celebrated their birthdays. Let’s dive into the key rock events that took place on January 8.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The Beatles shine in today’s highlights with two major achievements from 1966: Their sixth studio album, Rubber Soul, reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard albums chart, where it stayed for six weeks. This album marked a shift for the band from pop hits to more complex music, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. On the same day, The Beatles also topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with their double A-side “We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper,” hitting No. 1 in several countries, including the U.K.
Cultural Milestones
January 8 is also a day for celebrating birthdays:
1935: Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. He moved to Memphis at 13 and began his career at 19 in 1954.
1946: Robby Krieger, lead guitarist of The Doors, was born in Los Angeles. He joined the band in 1965, helping them sell over 100 million albums.
1947: David Bowie was born in London. He started his music career in 1962 but found success in the late 1960s with “Space Oddity.”
Notable Recordings and Performances
Today’s notable recordings include two significant releases:
1968: Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” was released posthumously, becoming the first No. 1 hit in U.S. history after an artist’s death.
2016: David Bowie released his final album, Blackstar, on his 69th birthday, just two days before his passing.
From The Beatles dominating the charts to David Bowie leaving behind a masterpiece, these are the key rock stories from January 8. Check back tomorrow for more music history!
