On January 19, 1961, the day before John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, Frank Sinatra hosted the JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala at the National Guard Armory in Washington, D.C. The event aimed to help the Democratic Party pay off a $2 million campaign debt. Sinatra brought in stars like Harry Belafonte and Nat King Cole to entertain the crowd.
January 19 has also seen some notable music milestones. In 1981, Styx released their only number-one album, *Paradise Theater*, which included several Top 10 hits. In 1988, Megadeth launched *So Far, So Good… So What!*, featuring popular tracks and becoming their first album to break into the Top 40 on the Billboard 200. Fast forward to 2024, Green Day dropped *Saviors*, which topped the Official Albums Chart in the U.K. and debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart.
This date has also hosted memorable performances. In 1967, Pink Floyd teamed up with Marmalade for a standout show at The Marquee Club in London. In 2019, Toni Braxton kicked off her As Long as I Live Tour in South Carolina, supporting her album *Sex & Cigarettes*.
Sadly, January 19 has seen the loss of some beloved artists. In 2000, Josh Clayton-Felt, frontman of School of Fish, passed away at 32. In 2006, soul legend Wilson Pickett died at 64. The following year, Denny Doherty of The Mamas & the Papas also passed away at 66.
With its mix of iconic performances and significant losses, January 19 is a memorable date in music history.
