This Day in Rock History: July 23
July 23 marks an eventful day in rock history, featuring events spanning from celebratory to tragic. Read on to discover some of the most significant things that happened in the…
July 23 marks an eventful day in rock history, featuring events spanning from celebratory to tragic. Read on to discover some of the most significant things that happened in the rock 'n' roll industry on this date throughout the years.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some of the most well-known names in rock history had milestones and breakthroughs to celebrate on July 23. These are some of the most noteworthy:
- 1964: The Beatles' hit song "A Hard Day's Night" reached the top of the U.K. charts and remained there for three weeks. Officially released on July 10, the single topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the following month.
- 1977: Foreigner released the song "Cold as Ice." While it only reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 24 on the U.K. singles chart, the track is widely considered one of the most popular and well-known songs in rock 'n' roll history.
- 1983: The Police's fifth and final studio album, Synchronicity, reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 chart. It spent 17 nonconsecutive weeks at the top spot. The album featured the hit single "Every Breath You Take" and sold over 8 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Cultural Milestones
July 23 has also witnessed some important cultural milestones:
- 1965: Slash, the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, and Velvet Revolver, was born in Hampstead, London. Arguably the last of the guitar gods, he brought blues-influenced guitar playing back into the mainstream in the late 1980s and is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar players of all time.
- 1979: Following the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini banned all Western commercial music, including rock, from Iran's radio and TV stations, claiming it was intoxicating.
Industry Changes and Challenges
A lot has happened in rock 'n' roll on July 23 in years gone by, both good and bad. Here are the most notable events:
- 1961: Martin Gore, musician, songwriter, and founding member of Depeche Mode, was born on this day in Essex, England. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 alongside his fellow band members.
- 2011: Singer-songwriter and musician Amy Winehouse was found dead in her home in London at the age of 27. The cause of death was later revealed to be alcohol poisoning.
From legendary songs to pivotal moments in rock history, July 23 has been a significant day throughout the years. Check in again to discover more memorable rock-related events from the past.
