Rock 'n' Roll History for
January 31


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1956 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Elvis Presley signs with the William Morris Agency in order to be represented exclusively as a touring artist and aspiring actor. This contract gave Morris the rights to book him except for "fairs, one-nighters, and engagements customarily handled directly" by Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It also excludes his existing commitments with the Louisiana Hayride and The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show.

1957 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Decca Records announced that Bill Haley And His Comets' "Rock Around The Clock" had sold over a million copies in the UK, mostly on 10 inch 78s.

1961 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
At 24 years old, Bobby Darin becomes the youngest performer at that time to headline a TV special as Bobby Darin & Friends airs on NBC.

1963 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
The Beach Boys record "Surfin' USA", which will climb to number three in the US by mid-April. Although it was credited as being composed by Brian Wilson, the tune was a note-for-note cover of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen". Following a lawsuit, Berry was granted writing credit and royalties from the record.

1966 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
At Western Recorders in Hollywood, Brian Wilson records "Caroline, No" without the other Beach Boys. The song would appear on the group's "Pet Sounds" album, but the single is released under his name. It would be Brian's only solo, Billboard Top 40 entry, coming in at #32 during a brief, three week stay on the chart, starting next April. The lyrics had been written by American songwriter Tony Asher as "Carol, I Know", but were mis-heard by Wilson.

1967 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
While taking a break from the filming of the Strawberry Fields Forever promotional video at Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, John Lennon buys an 1843 poster from an antique shop in Surrey which will provide him with many of the lyrics for "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite".

1968 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
The American Breed's "Bend Me, Shape Me" is certified Gold for selling over one million copies. Written by Scott English and Larry Weiss, the song peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #24 on the UK singles chart. Scott English went on to write and record "Brandy", which Barry Manilow later covered as his 1974 breakout hit, "Mandy".

1969 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Bobby Darin walks off the Jackie Gleason Show set when he is not allowed to sing "Long Line Rider", a song about the poor treatment of prisoners in America.

1970 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
The Jackson 5 score the first of four straight Billboard number one hits with "I Want You Back". The song reached #2 in the UK.

January 31
Slim Harpo, who had a US Top 40 hit with "Baby Scratch My Back", died of a heart attack while recording in London. He was 46.

1972 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Less than a day after an incident now known as "Bloody Sunday" in which British soldiers killed twelve Irish civil rights demonstrators, Paul McCartney writes and records "Give Ireland Back To The Irish". After some resistance from EMI, the song will finally be released on February 25th, but was immediately banned by the BBC, Radio Luxembourg and the Independent Television Authority. Despite the lack of air-play, the song would reach #1 on the singles charts in the Republic of Ireland and Spain, also climbing to #16 on the UK singles chart and #21 in the US.

1977 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Elton John won awards for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Single ("Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Kiki Dee), at the fourth American Music Awards held in California.

1978 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Blood Sweat And Tears saxophone player Greg Herbert died of an accidental drug overdose in Amsterdam during the band's European tour. He was just 30 years old.

1981 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Blondie tops the Cashbox Best Sellers list and The Billboard Hot 100 with "The Tide Is High", a song written and recorded in 1967 by John Holt and his Kingston, Jamaica band, The Paragons.

1985 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
The mother of the group The Cowsills, Barbara Cowsill, passed away at the age of 56. She and her family were the real life inspiration for The Partridge Family TV show.

January 31
John Fogerty plays his first live show in years, performing at the A&M Soundstage in Hollywood, California. His All-Star Band included Albert Lee, Booker T. Jones and Donald "Duck" Dunn. This unique event was filmed and broadcast by Showtime later in the year. Two weeks earlier, Fogerty had released "Centerfield", his first album in ten years.

1987 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Paul Simon's "Graceland" went to number 1 on the UK album chart. The LP would stay on the list for 101 weeks.

1988 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Herb Alpert performs the US national anthem at Superbowl XXII in San Diego, California. Chubby Checker performs at the halftime show.

1989 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Following his death last December 6th at the age of 52, Roy Orbison's album "Mystery Girl" is released on Virgin Records. Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bono and George Harrison all made contributions to the LP, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart. The lead single, "You Got It", gave Orbison his first Billboard Top 10 hit since "(Oh) Pretty Woman" in the Fall of 1964.

1997 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
David Bowie released part of his holdings in intellectual property for sale on the stock market, becoming the first Rock star to offer Wall Street stock options on his career.

1999 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
After a performance by KISS during the pre game ceremonies, Cher sings the national anthem at Superbowl XXXIII. (33) Stevie Wonder provided half-time entertainment.

2004 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Barry Manilow was taken to a Palm Springs, California hospital after suffering chest pains. He was released after a brief stay and a series of tests.

2009 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Dewy Martin, drummer and backing vocalist for Buffalo Springfield on their 1967 hit "For What It's Worth", died from hardening of the arteries at the age of 68.

2013 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Aaron Neville notched his first Top Ten album on the Billboard R&B chart when "My True Story" landed at #7. His first appearance on the list was in 1960 with "Over You".

2015 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
R&B singer and songwriter Don Covay passed away at the age of 78. Among the songs he wrote were Chubby Checker's hit, "Pony Time", Aretha Franklin's "Chain Of Fools" and The Rolling Stones' "Mercy Mercy".

2017 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
John Wetton, who played bass guitar in King Crimson, Uriah Heep and Roxy Music before fronting supergroup Asia, died at the age of 67 after a battle with colon cancer.

2023 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Charlie Thomas of The Drifters died of liver cancer at the age of 85. He sang lead on the group's 1961, Billboard #16 hit, "Sweets For My Sweet".

2024 - ClassicBands.com

January 31
Billboard reported that AC/DC's music video "Back in Black" had reached one billion views on YouTube. It was the Australian band's second clip to join the Billion Views club, following their 1990 hit, "Thunderstruck".



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