On January 22, 1959, Buddy Holly recorded his final songs in his New York City apartment, using just his guitar and a tape recorder. Among these tracks were some of his most beloved hits. The next day, he would set off on The Winter Dance Party Tour, only to tragically lose his life in a plane crash two weeks later. This moment marked a significant chapter in music history, influencing the industry in profound ways.
Throughout the years, January 22 has seen many notable events in the Top 40 charts. In 1966, the Beatles reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their hit. In 1972, Don McLean’s “American Pie” topped the album chart for seven weeks. Fast forward to 1980, when Steve Martin’s album went Gold with over half a million units sold. In 2016, Zach Herron released his first solo single before joining the boy band Why Don’t We. Jason Derulo’s 2019 single achieved multiple Platinum certifications, while Mark Ronson’s collaboration with Miley Cyrus also went Gold and Platinum in 2020. In 2021, Sabrina Carpenter dropped a song that fans speculated was a response to Olivia Rodrigo’s hit, stemming from a love triangle involving Joshua Bassett.
Culturally, January 22 has seen significant milestones too. In 1940, Addie Harris of The Shirelles was born, making history as part of the first all-female black group to have a No. 1 hit. In 1998, Billboard launched the Top 40 Tracks chart to better reflect pop music airplay. In 2015, Rihanna won a legal battle over a T-shirt featuring her image without permission.
These moments remind us of the ever-evolving landscape of music and its impact on culture.
