England’s New Musical Express name The Beatles the Number One Group and “She Loves You,” the top song of the year. 1963
The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye” rules (#1) the U.S. pop chart. 1967
Flip the single over and there’s John Lennon’s mind blowing “I Am The Walrus” (which didn’t even come close to charting on the Top 40).
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Called ‘The Originator’ of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Bo Diddley is born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, MS. By employing more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged guitar sound, Diddley is one of the key figures in the transition from Blues to Rock N’ Roll. 1928
“Runaway” vocalist, Del Shannon, is born. He also has hits with “Hats Off To Larry” and “Little Town Flirt.” 1934
The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith enters the world. 1942
Daydream believer. Davy Jones, also of The Monkees, is born in Manchester, England. 1945
Patti Smith, Punk Rock’s poet laureate, enters the world. The Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame member brings a feminist viewpoint to Punk. 1946
Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra and the Traveling Wilburys) is born. Over the course of his career he’s a singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. 1947
Peter Tork buys himself out of his Monkees contract. After a hit TV show (“The Monkees”) and a string of successful albums, he cites exhaustion and a lack of cohesive group collaboration as the reasons. 1968
The U.S. Immigration Service reverses their decision made two weeks earlier and allow the Sex Pistols into the country. 1977
The J. Geils Band go gold (500,000 units sold) with the biggest album of their career “Freeze-Frame.” 1981
George Harrison and wife Olivia are attacked by an intruder in their London home. They manage to subdue the attacker and Harrison recovers from a stab wound to the chest. 1999
8,500 people attend Soul legend James Brown’s funeral service in Augusta, GA. Speakers include Rev. Jesse Jackson and Michael Jackson. The Godfather of Soul passed away five days earlier in Atlanta. 2006
Guitarist Jason Truby says he’s “no longer a member of P.O.D.” He claims that he decided to leave before founding guitarist Marcos Curiel announced he was rejoining the group. 2007
After being awarded a similar honor by Billboard magazine just two weeks earlier, Pollstar, the concert tracking website, chimes in saying Bon Jovi had the #1 grossing tour of the year. They are followed by AC/DC, U2 and Metallica. “Artists worked fewer shows in a tough business climate,” says Pollstar’s editor Gary Bongiovanni. 2010
Singer Austin Carlile leaves Of Mice & Men. He suffers from Marfan Syndrome (which affects his connective tissue and causes weakness in his heart, lungs, ears, joints and muscles). “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce Austin’s departure from the band for reasons pertaining to his health,” reads a band statement. 2016
Queen‘s Brian May is appointed a Knight Bachelor as part of the King’s annual New Year Honours List. May is recognized for his songwriting, guitar playing, charitable activities and contributions to astrophysics. 2022
England’s New Musical Express name The Beatles the Number One Group and “She Loves You,” the top song of the year. 1963
The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye” rules (#1) the U.S. pop chart. 1967
