Today is a great reason to celebrate! It’s the birthday of rock legends Mick Ralphs from Bad Company and Angus Young from AC/DC. These musicians have made a huge impact on rock music. But March 31 has more to offer than just their birthdays. Here are some cool facts about this day in rock history.
1958: Chuck Berry released “Johnny B. Goode,” which reached No. 2 before the Billboard Hot 100 even existed. This song is one of the most famous in music history.
1984: Kenny Loggins hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with “Footloose.” It was his only No. 1 hit and became Billboard’s No. 4 song of the year.
Cultural moments also shaped rock on this day.
1972: The Beatles Fan Club closed after ten years. Freda Kelly, the club president, informed fans three years after the end of the Beatles’ Monthly magazine.
1944: Mick Ralphs was born in Stoke Lacy, England. He played on all albums by Bad Company and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.
1955: Angus Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Known for his schoolboy uniform and energetic guitar skills, he’s considered one of the greatest guitarists ever.
1994: Madonna made headlines on The Late Show with David Letterman for her controversial interview, which became the most censored in talk show history.
Notable performances also took place on March 31.
1967: Jimi Hendrix famously set his guitar on fire for the first time at the Astoria Theater in London.
1969: Led Zeppelin released their debut album, which peaked at No. 10 in the U.S. and No. 6 in the U.K.
1976: Led Zeppelin released their seventh album, Presence, which went 3x Platinum in the U.S.
1989: Guns N’ Roses released “Patience,” an acoustic ballad that peaked at No. 4 in the U.S.
So, let’s celebrate this rock-filled day!
