On This Day, January 18 In Music History

EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY JANUARY 18 IN MUSIC HISTORY

On this day January 18 in 1960 – With his version of the J. P. Richardson penned song ‘Running Bear’, Johnny Preston topped the US Billboard Hot 100. It also became a chart-topper in the UK and New Zealand that year.

1964 – ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ became the first Beatles song to chart in the US when it entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No.45. Two weeks later it became the group’s first chart-topper in the country.

1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience made an appearance on the British music TV show Top of the Pops and performed ‘Hey Joe’ on this day January 18 in music history.

1975 – With his rendition of the Scott English song ‘Mandy’, Barry Manilow scored his first number one single in the US. The song also reached No.1 in Canada and it peaked at No.11 in the UK.

1975 – Rock band Status Quo scored their first and only number one single in the UK with ‘Down Down’ on this day January 18.

1986 – With their fifth studio album ‘Brothers in Arms’Dire Straits started an incredible ten-week stint at the top of the UK Albums chart. The album was a worldwide hit and it became a chart-topper in twelve other countries, including the US and Canada.

1986 – The number one single in the United States on this day January 18 was ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ by Dionne Warwick & Friends. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks straight.

1989 – Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Dion, The Ink Spots, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, Phil Spector, The Soul Stirrers, Bessie Smith, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder.

Metal Bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

1990 – British singer Melanie “Mel” Appleby died on this day January 18 in music history, aged 23 due to complications from pneumonia. Best known as one half of the pop duo Mel and Kim.

1992 – Country music singer and songwriter Garth Brooks topped the US Billboard 200 and Top Country charts with his third studio album ‘Ropin’ the Wind’.

1997 – American singer and songwriter Tori Amos topped the UK Singles chart on this day January 18 with ‘Professional Widow (It’s Got to Be Big)’.

2014 – With ‘Timber’, rapper Pitbull featuring singer Kesha started a three-week stint at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was a hit worldwide and it reached No.1 in fifteen other countries.

2014 – The number one album in the United States on this day January 18 was the soundtrack album to Disney’s animated musical film ‘Frozen’.

2015 – American drummer and session musician Dallas Taylor died on this day at the age of 66. Best known for his work with Crosby, Stills and Nash on their debut studio album.

2016 – Founding member, singer, and guitarist of the rock band Eagles, Glenn Frey died on this day January 18 in music history, aged 67.

Glenn Frey – You Belong To The City

YouTube player

2018 – The soundtrack album ‘The Greatest Showman’ to the musical film of the same name started an eleven-week stint at No.1 in the United Kingdom.

2020 – With ‘The Box’, rapper Roddy Ricch hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the first of eleven consecutive weeks. He also reached No.1 on the US Billboard 200 chart on this day with his debut studio album ‘Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial’.

2021 – American singer and actor James “Jimmie” Rodgers died on this day January 18, aged 87. Best remembered for hit songs such as ‘Honeycomb’, ‘Kisses Sweeter Than Wine’, ‘Oh-Oh, I’m Falling In Love Again’, and ‘Secretly’

BORN ON THIS DAY JANUARY 18 IN MUSIC HISTORY

1941 – American soul singer and musician David Eli Ruffin was born in Whynot, Mississippi on this day January 18 in music history. Best known as one of the lead singers of the vocal group The Temptations.

1941 – American singer-songwriter of pop and country music Robert “Bobby” Goldsboro was born in Mariana, Florida. Best known for his hit singles ‘Honey’ and ‘Summer (The First Time)’.

1943 – Keyboardist and music composer David Greenslade was born on this day January 18 in Woking, England. Best known for fronting his own band and for playing with the jazz rock band Colosseum from 1968 until the disbandment in 2015.

1944 – British drummer Larry “Legs” Smith was born in Oxford, England. Best known as a member of the comedy satirical jazz group the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. Also known for touring with the likes of George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Elton John.

1953 – American singer-songwriter Brett Hudson was born on this day January 18 in Portland, Oregon. Best known as a member of the sibling group The Hudson Brothers.

1956 – American musician Jack Sherman was born on this day in Miami, Florida. Best known as a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the 1980s.

1956 – Singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer Thomas “Tom” Bailey was born on this day January 18 in Halifax, England. He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the new wave band Thompson Twins.

1971 – Frontman of the nu metal band Korn – Jonathan Davis also known professionally as JD or JDevil was born in Bakersfield, California.

1977 – Singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Archer was born in Staines-upon-Thames, England on this day January 18 in music history. He came to prominence as the frontman of the indie rock band Hard-Fi.

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