July 13 is a big date in rock history. It’s best known for 1985’s Live Aid, but many other key moments happened on this day.
Breakthrough hits and milestones
1956: Elvis Presley released a double A-side single, “Hound Dog” / “Don’t Be Cruel.” Both songs hit No. 1 and solidified his status as a top performer.
1964: The Beatles released the single “A Hard Day’s Night” in the U.S. It was part of the movie soundtrack and was one of seven No. 1 songs they scored that year.
1964: The Animals reached No. 1 in the UK with “The House Of The Rising Sun.” It also topped the US Billboard Hot 100.
1974: Eric Clapton had his only US No. 1 single with “I Shot the Sheriff,” a cover that helped bring reggae into the mainstream.
1974: Elton John’s album Caribou topped the UK albums chart and hit No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 for four weeks.
1985: Duran Duran became the first artists to reach No. 1 in the US with a James Bond theme, “A View to a Kill.” It remains the only Bond theme to do so.
1991: Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in the UK, one of the longest runs ever.
Notable recordings and performances
1968: Black Sabbath, then called Earth, played their first show at The Crown Pub in Birmingham. They would go on to shape heavy metal.
1973: Queen released their self-titled debut album. It hinted at the eclectic sound that made them famous.
1985: Live Aid took place on July 13 in London and Philadelphia. It became one of the biggest benefit concerts ever and a landmark moment in music history.
