When the world lost Chuck Berry on March 18, 2017, it shook the rock music community. The 90-year-old rock and roll pioneer influenced countless musicians, and his absence is still felt today. However, the music industry must adapt to thrive. March 18 has seen many pivotal events that shaped rock music. Here are some key milestones and recordings from this date.
1967: The Beatles hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with “Penny Lane.” It stayed at the top for two weeks and was certified Gold by the end of the month.
1972: Paul Simon’s self-titled album reached No. 1 on the UK albums chart and was certified Platinum in the U.S. for selling over a million copies.
1972: On the same day, Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was his only U.S. chart-topper and spent one week at No. 1.
1978: The Bee Gees scored a No. 1 hit with “Night Fever,” which became the longest-running No. 1 single of the year, staying at the top for eight weeks.
Cultural moments also marked this day. 1966: Jerry Cantrell, founder of Alice in Chains, was born in Tacoma, Washington. 2001: John Phillips, singer of The Mamas & The Papas, passed away at age 65. 2002: The 17th Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place, welcoming Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Talking Heads, and The Ramones.
Notable recordings include 1977: The Clash released “White Riot.” 1978: The California Jam II Festival drew over 250,000 fans, featuring Aerosmith, Foreigner, Heart, and Santana. 2013: David Bowie made a remarkable comeback after 20 years.
