January 19, 1981
Frank Sinatra, Donny & Marie Osmond and Dean Martin performed at President Reagan’s inaugural ball.
Top Single:
“Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” The Platters #1 1959
January 20, 1988
The Drifters and The Supremes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
1965 – The founding father of Rock & Roll, Disc Jockey Alan freed died, out of work at the age of 43.
Top Single:
“When I Fall In Love” The Lettermen #7 1962
“You’re So Vain” Carly Simon #1 1973
Birthday:
Ron Townson (The 5th Dimension) 1941
Billy Powell (The O’Jays) 1942
Dave Libert (The Happenings) 1943
January 21, 1987
The Coasters were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Clyde McPhatter (The Drifters) was posthumously inducted.
1984 – Legendary vocalist Jackie Wilson died after an eight year coma brought on by a heart attack while on stage (September 25, 1975), He was singing “Lonely Teardrops” at the time.
Top Single:
“Moments To Remember” The Four Aces #6 1956 “Baby Come Back” Player #1 1978
January 22, 1958
The Chantels recorded 5 sides including their hit follow-up to “Maybe”, “Every Night” (#16 R&B, #39 Pop).
Top Single:
“Hot Line” The Sylvers #6 1977
Birthday:
Sam Cooke (The Soul Stirrers) 1935 Micki Harris (The Shirelles) 1940
January 23, 1959
Dion (of Dion & The Belmonts) began the infamous “Winter Dance Party” tour with Richie Valens, Buddy Holly & The Big Bopper. He would become the only headliner to survive as the other three all died in a small plane crash midway through the tour.
Top Single:
“If I Ever Fall In Love” Shai #2 1993 “Downtown” Petula Clark #1 1965
Birthday:
Jerry Lawson (The Persuasions) 1944 Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters) 1948
January 24, 1970
James “Shep” Sheppard, lead of The Heartbeats” and Shep & The Limelites was found murdered in his car on the Long Island Expressway in New York.
1962 – The Beatles signed a management agreement with record store owner Brian Epstein. Interestingly enough, Brian never signed a copy himself.
Top Single:
“Baby, Don’t Do It” The Five Royales #5 R&B 1953
“Do You Know Where You’re Going To” Diana Ross #1 1976
Birthday:
Zeke Carey (The Flamingos) 1933
January 25, 1963
The Classics recorded “Till Then”.
1956 – Elvis Presley’s first RCA single “Heartbreak Hotel” was released. By April 21st it was #1.
Top Single:
“That’s What Friends Are For”
Dionne & Friends #1 1985
“There I’ve Said It Again” Bobby Vinton 31 1964
Birthday: Etta James (Peaches)
January 26, 1970
Phil Spector and John Lennon wrote and recorded Lennon’s “Instant Karma” in one day. It charted 33 days later (February 28) eventually reaching #3.
Top Single:
“Walk Right In” The Rooftop Singers #1 1963
January 27, 1956
The Platters, The Drifters, The Five Keys and The Turbans began a tour in Pittsburg while The Flamingos and The Sweethearts toured the south starting in Richmond, Virginia.
1962 – Rock & Roller Chubby Checker achieved a first when he put four albums in the U.S. Top 10.
Prior to that, only MOR-Pop artists had reached such a milestone.
Top Single:
The Wanderer” Dion & The Del-Satins #8 1962
“Peppermint Twist” Joey Dee & The Starliters #1 1962
Birthday:
Nedra Talley Ross (The Ronettes) 1946
January 28, 1950
When The Robins single “If It’s So, Baby” charted (#10 R&B) they became the first west coast vocal group to make the top 10.
1970 – A cross section of musical messengers including The Rascals, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Judy Collins, dave Brubeck, Harry Belafonte and the cast of the Broadway musical “Hair” performed in an anti-war benefit concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Top Single:
“Standing In The Shadows of Love”
The Four Tops #6 1967
“Owner Of A Lonely Heart” Yes #1 1984
January 29, 1956
The Cleftones played Detroit’s prime venue The Fox Theater on the strength of their new release “You, Baby, You” (#78).
Top Single:
“Barbara Ann” The Beach Boys #2 1966
January 30, 1958
The Silhouettes standard rocker “Get A Job” charted (#1 Pop & #1 R&B). The 70’s group Shan a NA was named after a line in the song.
1969 – The Beatles and Billy Preston (on organ) performed four songs on the roof of Apple Records in Saville Row, London. It was their last live performance.
Top Single:
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” The Shirelles #1 1961
Birthday:
Joe Terry (Danny & The Juniors) 1941
Sandy Yaguda (Jay & The Americans) 1943
Jody Watley (Shalamar) 1959
January 31, 1953
Decca’s Brunswick label was reactivated with its first single by the vocal group The Five Bills (“Can’t Wait For Tomorrow”) now a $500 collectable.
1958 – Little Richard retired at the peak of his career to become an evangelist. His conversion lasted all of four years.
Top Single:
“The Bells” The Dominoes #4 R&B 1953
“I Want You Back” The Jackson Five #1 1970
Birthday:
Marvin Junior (The Dells) 1936 |
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