This Day in Rock History: January 31
On this day in rock history, January 31, we have witnessed a multitude of significant events including breakthrough hits, cultural milestones, notable recordings, and industry changes. From Led Zeppelin’s first performance in North America to Blondie’s third No. 1 single on the Billboard 100 chart, this day has seen its fair share of memorable moments in the world of rock music.
In 1970, The Jackson 5 made their mark with their debut single “I Want You Back,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, kicking off a streak of four consecutive chart-toppers. Six years later in 1976, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart before being dethroned by ABBA’s “Mama Mia.” Meanwhile, in 1981, Blondie topped the Billboard 100 singles chart for the third time with their hit “The Tide is High,” incorporating a reggae style with a blend of horns and strings. 1984 saw Queen’s “Radio Ga Ga” enter the UK charts at No. 4 and become a worldwide hit, reaching No. 1 in 19 countries. Additionally, in 1987, Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album returned to No. 1 on the UK albums chart, solidifying its huge global success.
In the realm of cultural milestones, January 31 has also left its mark on rock history. In 1956, Sex Pistols’ frontman Johnny Rotten was born, contributing to the band’s iconic status in the punk rock scene. The tragic death of blues pioneer Slim Harpo in 1970 at the young age of 45 marked the loss of a talented musician who influenced many artists. In 2001, founding member Peter Criss announced his departure from KISS during their farewell tour, with Eric Singer taking his place for the remaining shows. Moreover, Bruce Springsteen’s Grammy win for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance in 2010 added to his accolades, while Kings of Leon took home the Grammy for Best Rock Song for their hit “Use Somebody.”
Notable recordings and performances on January 31 include Led Zeppelin’s inaugural show on their North American Tour at the Fillmore East in 1969, which left the headlining band, Iron Butterfly, unwilling to follow them due to their electrifying performance. On the same day, the Beatles were filming the Let It Be documentary at Apple Studios in London, capturing iconic tracks such as “Two Of Us,” “Let It Be,” “The Long And Winding Road,” and “Step Inside Love.”
Industry changes and challenges have also impacted the rock music scene on January 31. In 1979, saxophone player Greg Herbert of Blood Sweat & Tears passed away at the young age of 30 due to an accidental drug overdose. Meanwhile, in 2007, a previously unreleased poem by Jim Morrison, titled “Woman in the Window,” was turned into music for the Global Cool campaign, raising awareness about environmental issues.
Overall, January 31 holds a significant place in rock history with its array of breakthrough hits, cultural milestones, notable recordings and performances, as well as industry changes and challenges that have shaped the landscape of rock music.