Jan. 9 has been a busy day in rock history for fans and artists alike. It marks the day Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones and when Van Halen released one of their biggest albums. Plus, it’s the birthday of Jimmy Page. Here’s a look at some key events from this day in rock history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The day has seen some major achievements:
1965: Beatles ’65, the U.S. and Canadian version of the band’s fourth album, jumped from No. 98 to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in just its second week. It stayed at the top for nine weeks, showing the band’s stronghold on the North American charts.
1988: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Whitney Houston scored her sixth consecutive Billboard Hot 100 hit with “So Emotional.” This made her the solo artist with the most consecutive No. 1 hits, surpassing Elvis and tying with The Beatles and Bee Gees. She later broke the tie with her seventh No. 1, “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”
Cultural Milestones
1944: Jimmy Page, founder and lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin, was born in Heston, England. He started as a session musician in the early 1960s, joined the Yardbirds in 1966, and formed Led Zeppelin in 1968.
1963: Charlie Watts officially joined the Rolling Stones. He played his first show with them on January 12 and remained a member until his passing in 2021.
Notable Recordings and Performances
1984: Van Halen released their sixth studio album, 1984. This album featured more synthesizers and marked a shift from their earlier rock sound. It went on to sell over 10 million copies in the U.S.
1997: A day after turning 50, David Bowie hosted a concert for charity, featuring stars like the Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, Robert Smith of The Cure, and Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins.
From record-breaking hits to unforgettable concerts, Jan. 9 is packed with rock history. Check back tomorrow for more highlights from this day in music!
