On This Day
1956: Elvis Presley’s National TV Debut
Elvis Presley made his first national television appearance on “The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show,” performing “Blue Suede Shoes” and “I Got a Woman,” marking a pivotal moment in his career and rock ‘n’ roll history.
1965: The Who’s TV Debut
The band made their first appearance on the influential British rock show Ready Steady Go! to perform their debut hit, “I Can’t Explain”.
1968: Jim Morrison
was arrested in Las Vegas for public drunkenness and vagrancy outside a Pussycat A-Go-Go club.
1978: Fleetwood Mac’s UK Breakthrough
The monumental album Rumours reached No. 1 on the UK charts for the first time, nearly a year after its initial release.
1985: Recording of “We Are the World”
On this day, an ensemble of music legends gathered to record “We Are the World,” a charity single aimed at famine relief in Africa. The session featured artists like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Stevie Wonder, and became a landmark in musical philanthropy.
Birthdays
Sarah McLachlan
Born on January 28, 1968, Sarah McLachlan is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her emotive ballads and the founding of the Lilith Fair tour, which showcased female artists and significantly impacted the music industry.
Rick Ross
Born on January 28, 1976, Rick Ross is an American rapper and record executive, recognized for his deep voice and vivid storytelling, contributing significantly to the hip-hop genre.
Nick Carter
Born in 1980, Nick Carter rose to fame as a member of the Backstreet Boys, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. He has also pursued a solo career and ventured into acting.
Maluma
Born in 1994, Colombian singer Maluma has become a global sensation with his reggaeton and Latin pop hits, collaborating with artists like Shakira and Madonna.
International Music News
The Rise of Katseye:
The global girl group Katseye is making major waves, having scored two viral hits in 2025 and heading into 2026 with multiple Grammy nominations
The Smile:
Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s band released a surprise live EP today, capturing their recent performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 inductees, including Taylor Swift, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette, and producer Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. The ceremony is scheduled for June 11, 2026, in New York City.
Scene Notes & Industry Trends
Spotify’s $11 Billion Payout:
Spotify released its annual report today, revealing it paid out a record $11 billion to the music industry in 2025. Notably, over $5 billion of that went to independent artists and labels.
Neil Young’s Digital Gift:
In a unique move, Neil Young has granted the entire population of Greenland one year of free access to his high-resolution digital archives as a “message of peace.”
Catalog Sales:
Sony Music Publishing announced a massive deal to acquire the catalog of country superstar Miranda Lambert.
Indie Spotlight
Big Freedia – “Queen Diva”
Born on January 28, 1978, Big Freedia is a New Orleans-based artist who has been instrumental in popularizing bounce music, a subgenre of hip-hop. Her energetic performances and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights have made her a significant figure in the indie music scene.