This Day in History: 2025-02-01

FEBRUARY 1^st

It’s official, Beatlemania has arrived. The Beatles get their first U.S. #1 with “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” Billboard magazine’s review says the song is a “driving rocker with surf on the Thames sound.” Say what? The Beatles hold the top spot for three consecutive months. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” stays for seven weeks, “She Loves You” for two and “Can’t Buy Me Love” adds another five. That’s fourteen straight weeks for The Beatles. 1964

Jefferson Airplane’s second album, “Surrealistic Pillow” is released. 1967

The record contains two Airplane classics “White Rabbit” and “Somebody To Love.” Both songs were originally recorded by singer Grace Slick’s previous band, The Great Society. Good idea to bring her onboard.

Aerosmith headlines the Super Bowl XXXVIII pre-game show. Then Kid Rock takes the stage as part of the worst halftime show in Super Bowl history. It’s not Rock’s fault, he’s actually pretty good (though he later gets criticized for his U.S. flag poncho and throwing it into the audience). The MTV produced event with nauseating pop stars, crotch grabbing Rappers and Janet Jackson’s exposed right breast is so bad it makes Aerosmith look respectable. 2004“Dookie,” the third studio album by Green Day, is out. Containing “Longview,” “When I Come Around” and “Basket Case,” the group’s major label debut peaks at #2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. 1994

Evanescence’s music video for their ‘03 hit “Bring Me To Life” surpasses one billion views on YouTube. The video, uploaded to YouTube in late of ‘09, was filmed in Romania and features guest vocals by Paul McCoy. 2022

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

The eldest Everly Brother, Don, is born in Brownie, KY. 1937

Mike Campbell, guitarist for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, is born in Panama City, FL. 1954

Exene Cervenka (born Christine Cervenka), co-founder of the L.A. Punk band X, has a birthday. 1955

The late Jani Lane, the lead singer of the Glam Metal band Warrant, is born in Akron, OH. 1964

Indiana Governor Matthew Welsh claims the Kingmen’s “Louie, Louie” is pornographic. It’s those unintelligible lyrics. He asks that the record be banned adding that his ears “tingled” when he heard the song. Isn’t that the very definition of a hit? 1964

James Brown records “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” in Charlotte, NC. 1965

The Beatles record the title track for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” 1967

Tommy James & The Shondells go psychedelic and top the pop chart with “Crimson And Clover.” Meanwhile, The Doors’ “Touch Me” sits at #4. 1969

Robert Plant’s bout with tonsillitis forces Led Zeppelin to postpone their North American tour. 1977

The Cars park it (disband). 1988

After getting bounced by from the top spot on the Billboard 200 for two weeks by Country’s Garth Brooks (“Ropin’ The Wind”), Nirvana’s “Nevermind” returns to #1.  1992

“I’m With You” (Avril Lavigne) reaches #4 on the singles chart. 2003

Green Day’s version of the Bobby Fuller Four classic “I Fought the Law” is used in a Pepsi/iTunes commercial that premieres during the Super Bowl. The ad — which features 16 teens who were sued by the Recording Industry Association of America for swapping music files — announces the soft-drink maker’s “iTunes 100 Million Song Giveaway” promotion. By the way, the New England Patriots win but fail to cover the spread. Damn!  2004

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s halftime performance during Super Bowl XLIII (43) in Tampa consists of a four-song set that includes “Born To Run” (short version) and “Glory Days.” The favored Pittsburgh Steelers win the game, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23. 2009

Dave (Foo Fighters) Grohl’s directorial debut, “Sound City” is in theatres. The film chronicles the story of the legendary Van Nuys, CA, recording studio. Nirvana, Grohl’s old band, recorded ’91’s “Nevermind” at Sound City. 2013

Bruce Springsteen scores his 11th #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with “High Hopes.” Opening week album sales totaled 99,000 copies. 2014

Megadeth’s album, “Dystopia,” debuts at #3 on The Billboard 200. It’s the group’s highest-charting album since ’92’s “Countdown To Extinction” peaked at #2. 2016

Five Finger Death Punch receive the Soldiers Appreciation Award from the Association Of The United States Army. The prize honors organizations and individuals who support the troops. “The only musician ever to receive this was Elvis Presley,” says guitarist Zoltan Bathory. The award is presented every five years and is based on soldiers’ votes. 2016

Three Days Grace’s “So Called Life” tops the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. They are now tied with Shinedown for the most #1’s on the Billboard survey at sixteen each. The lead has changed hands repeatedly. Three Days Grace had their first #1 in ’04. Shinedown answered in ’05.  2022

The White Stripes, Iron Maiden, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Sheryl Crow, and Warren Zevon are among the nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  2023

Ozzy Osbourne‘s European tour with guests Judas Priest, originally set for 2019 and then rescheduled three times due to COVID-19 and other factors, is officially canceled. Health issues are the reason.  2023

Former Hootie & The Blowfish frontman turned Country star, Darius Rucker, is arrested for possession of a controlled substance in the Middle Tennessee area. “Darius Rucker is fully cooperating with authorities related to misdemeanor drug charges,” states Rucker’s lawyer. The singer is released on a bond of $10,500.  2024