July 23 is packed with big moments in rock history. Here are some highlights fans will want to know.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
1964: The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” hit No. 1 in the U.K. and stayed there three weeks. It had been released on July 10 and topped the U.S. charts the next month.
1977: Foreigner released “Cold as Ice.” It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is one of the band’s most recognized songs.
1983: The Police’s final album, Synchronicity, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spent 17 nonconsecutive weeks at the top. It includes “Every Breath You Take” and sold over 8 million copies in the U.S.
1987: Def Leppard’s Hysteria finally hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 after 49 weeks. It held the spot for six nonconsecutive weeks.
Recordings and Performances
1963: Neil Young did his first recording session in Winnipeg with his band, The Squires.
1977: Judas Priest opened for Led Zeppelin at the Day on the Green show in Oakland. They’d just released Sin After Sin and got the slot through connections with Led Zep members.
1984: The Cars released “Drive,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of their signature songs.
Cultural Milestones
1961: Martin Gore of Depeche Mode was born in Essex. He later entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
1964: Nick Menza, who would become Megadeth’s drummer during their classic era, was born in Munich.
1965: Slash was born in Hampstead, London. He went on to lead the guitar sound for Guns N’ Roses and other projects.
These July 23 moments shaped rock’s sound and history.
