On This Day, January 29 in Music History
EVENTS ON JANUARY 29 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day January 29 in 1960 – Michael Holliday and The Michael Sammes Singers topped the UK Singles chart with ‘Starry Eyed’.
1968 – The Doors‘ frontman Jim Morrison was arrested at a theater in Las Vegas for drunkenly harassing a security guard.
1969 – With the instrumental song ‘Albatross’, Fleetwood Mac reached No.1 in the UK. The single became a chart-topper in the Netherlands that year as well, while in the US it peaked at No.4.
1973 – George Harrison & Friends were at number one in the UK with the triple live album ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ on this day January 29 in music history. The charity concert and album raised over $10 million to spread awareness and help the Bengali refugees who suffered in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
1977 – Soul and R&B group Rose Royce took the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Car Wash’. Also a chart-topper in Canada and a No.9 hit in the UK that year.
1983 – Australian pop rockers Men at Work conquered the US and UK charts on this day January 29 when ‘Down Under’ reached No.1 on the Singles chart while ‘Business As Usual’ topped the Albums chart.
1992 – American blues musician, songwriter, and record producer William Dixon died at the age of 76. Best known for songs such as ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’, ‘Little Red Booster’, ‘Spoonful’, etc. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 for his contributions to music.
1994 – Jamaican reggae duo Chaka Demus & Pliers started a two-week stint at number one in the UK on this day January 29 with their fourth studio album ‘Tease Me’.
2000 – Australian pop duo Savage Garden started a three-week run at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘I Knew I Loved You’.
2000 – The number one single in the United Kingdom on this day January 29 was ‘Born to Make You Happy’ by Britney Spears.
2005 – American singer Ciara featuring rapper Petey Pablo went to number one on the UK Singles chart with ‘Goodies’.
2009 – Singer-songwriter and guitarist Iain David McGeachy better known by his stage name John Martyn died on this day January 29 in music history, aged 60.
2011 – With ‘Hold It Against Me’, Britney Spears scored her fourth number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2011 – With his debut studio album ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans’, singer-songwriter Bruno Mars reached No.1 in the UK on this day January 29. The LP features the hit singles ‘Just the Way You Are’, ‘Grenade’, and ‘The Lazy Song’.
2011 – The number one album in the United States on this day was ‘Showroom of Compassion’ by the rock band Cake.
2015 – Singer-songwriter, poet, and actor Rodney “Rod” McKuen died on this day January 29, aged 81. His songs and poetry books sold over 150 million copies worldwide.
2021 – English guitarist Hilton Valentine died at the age of 77. Best remembered as a founding member of The Animals.
BORN ON JANUARY 29 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1920 – American R&B musician, producer, and record company executive Paul Gayten was born in Kentwood, Louisiana.
1927 – American jazz and classical music pianist and composer Donald “Don” Shirely was born in Pensacola, Florida.
1933 – French singer-songwriter and guitarist Alexandre “Sacha” Distel was born in Paris. Best known for his hit renditions of ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head’, ‘The Good Life’, and ‘Scoubidou’.
1933 – Singer and founding member of the vocal group The 5th Dimension, Ronald Townson was born in St. Louis, Missouri.
1936 – American bass guitarist and session musician James Jamerson was born on Edisto Island, South Carolina. He’s regarded as one of the best and most influential bass players in music history.
1938 – Jazz and cabaret singer Salena Jones also known as Joan Shaw was born in Newport News, Virginia.
1944 – English record producer, impresario, and manager Andrew Loog Oldham was born in London. Best known for managing The Rolling Stones.
1947 – Singer-songwriter David Garrick also known professionally as David Byron was born in Epping, England. He rose to fame as the frontman of the hard rock band Uriah Heep during the 1970s.
1949 – Founding member and drummer of the punk rock band Ramones, Thomas Erdelyi also known by his stage name Tommy Ramone was born in Budapest, Hungary.
1953 – American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Louie Perez was born in Los Angeles, California. Best known for his work with the rock bands Los Lobos and Latin Playboys.
1954 – Punk rock singer Richard “Handsome Dick” Manitoba was born in The Bronx, New York. Best known as the frontman of the band The Dictators.
1960 – Australian musician, producer, and composer James George Thirlwell also known by his stage names Clint Ruin, Foetus, and Frank Want was born in Melbourne.
1961 – American multi-instrumentalist Eddie Jackson also known as EdBass and One Take was born in Robstown, Texas. He came to prominence as the co-founder and bass guitarist of the progressive metal band Queensryche.
1961 – British drummer David Baynton-Power was born in Kent, England. Best known as a longtime member of the rock band James.
1961 – Singer and songwriter Pauline Henry was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She rose to fame as a member of the band The Chimes.
1964 – Founder and frontman of the new wave band Aztec Camera, Roddy Frame was born in East Kilbride, Scotland.
1981 – American multi-genre singer-songwriter and guitarist Jon Langseth also known professionally as Jonny Lang was born in Fargo, North Dakota.
1982 – Singer and songwriter Adam Lambert was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Best known for his work with the rock band Queen.
1985 – Singer and songwriter Rag’n’Bone Man was born Rory Graham in Uckfield, England. He rose to fame with the chart-topping hit single ‘Human’.