JANUARY 1
ON THIS DAY IN 1966, SIMON & GARFUNKEL HIT #1 ON THE U.S. CHARTS WITH “THE SOUND OF SILENCE.” ORIGINALLY A FOLK DUO, THEY BROKE THROUGH WHEN PRODUCER TOM WILSON ADDED ELECTRIC GUITARS TO THEIR ACOUSTIC TRACK.
THE BBC LAUNCHES “TOP OF THE POPS” ON JANUARY 1, 1964, FEATURING ACTS LIKE THE ROLLING STONES AND DUSTY SPRINGFIELD. IT BECOMES A CORNERSTONE OF BRITISH MUSIC TELEVISION FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
AND ON THIS DAY IN 1988, SEATTLE’S MUDHONEY OFFICIALLY FORMS. THEIR LO-FI, DISTORTED STYLE ON TRACKS LIKE “TOUCH ME I’M SICK” MAKES THEM GRUNGE TRAILBLAZERS LONG BEFORE NIRVANA HITS BIG.