January 1 – 5-This Week In Rock
ANSWER TO THIS WEEK’S TRIVIA QUESTION:
The Doors debut album is an instant hit by reaching number 1 in the US on 1/4/1967.
Born This Week
Frank Stokes: January 1, 1877 (father of Memphis blues guitar)
Morgan Fisher: January 1, 1950 (keyboard, Mott The Hoople)
Little Smokey Smothers: January 2, 1939 (Chicago Blues Guitarist)
Chick Churchill: January 2, 1946 (keyboard, Ten Years After)
Stephen Stills: January 3, 1945 (multi-instrumentalist, Crosby, Stills, & Nash)
John Paul Jones: January 3, 1946 (bass, Led Zeppelin)
Guy Pratt: January 3, 1962 (session bassist)
John McLaughlin: January 4, 1942 (jazz fusion guitarist)
Kim Wilson: January 6, 1951 (singer, The Fabulous Thunderbirds)
Nels Cline: January 4, 1956 (guitarist)
Michael Stipe: January 4, 1960 (singer, REM)
Chris Stein: January 5, 1950 (guitarist, Blondie)
Marilyn Manson: January 5, 1969 (shock rock artist)
Syd Barrett: January 6, 1946 (singer, Pink Floyd)
Malcom Young: January 6, 1953 (rhythm guitarist, ACDC)
Died This Week
Alexis Korner: January 1, 1984 (British Blues guitarist)
Bob Weston: January 3, 2012 (guitarist, Fleetwood Mac)
Phil Lynott: January 4, 1986 (bass, Thin Lizzy)
Charles Mingus: January 5, 1979 (jazz bassist)
Dizzy Gillespie: January 6, 1993 (jazz trumpeter)
Top Charts & New Releases
Carl Perkins releases the hit song “Blue Suede Shoes”: January 1, 1956
Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” hits number 1: January 1, 1966
George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” hits the top of the charts; January 2, 1971
The Doors debut album is an instant hit by reaching number 1 in the US on January 4,1967.
Yes releases their album “Roundabout” on January 4, 1972
Elton John’s cover of “Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds” on January 4, 1975
Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits album is certified Gold on January 5, 1968
At 23 years old, Bruce Springsteen releases his first album “Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ: January 5, 1973
Peter Frampton’s releases his signature live album “Frampton Comes Alive” on January 6, 1976
“In Through the Out Door” by Led Zeppelin is certified Platinum: January 7, 1980
Eagles Live is certified Platinum: January 7, 1981
This Week in Rock History
With Capitol Records, the Beatles has 3 albums in the Billboard Top 10: January 1, 1965
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham join Fleetwood Mac: January 1, 1975
On January 1, 1959 Johnny Cash plays one of his first jailhouse shows when he performs at San Quentin prison in San Rafael, California. Among those in the captive audience is Merle Haggard, who is serving time for burglary.
Leo Fender sells his company Fender Guitars to CBS for $13 million: January 4, 1965
The BBC bans Jimi Hendrix after he goes off script on one of their shows on January 4, 1969.
Nirvana signs with Geffen Records: January 4, 1991
Blues guitar great Muddy Waters records “Hoochie Coochie Man”: January 7, 1954
That’s all for This Week in Rock History! Be sure to check back next week for the latest Rock history tidbits!