January 23rd isn’t a particularly thrilling day in music history, but it’s not quite a dud of a day either. On this day in 1971, George Harrison became the first solo Beatles member with a number one hit. His song “My Sweet Lord” stayed atop the charts for five weeks before being dethroned.
In 1977, Patti Smith fell off stage in Tampa Florida breaking a vertebra in her back on the 23rd.
The legendary pianist Ray Charles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 23rd 1986. Charles was an exceptionally talented singer, songwriter, musician and composer who’s work earned him the nickname “The Genius”.
“The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson hit #1 on the singles charts on January 23rd 1988. The song was Jackson’s 9th #1 single out of a total 13 in is career.
January 23 was a somber day in 1990. The seemingly invincible Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd died of a pneumonia, he was just 37 years old. Collins had previously survived a plane crash that took the lives of two band mates, and a car crash that took the life of his girlfriend and left Collins paralyzed below the waist. During his career Collins played guitar and co-wrote most of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s hit songs with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant including “Free Bird” and “That Smell”.
January 23rd 2015 is the day when tickets went on sale for this summer at the Melody Tent so make sure to get your tickets today!
