This Day in Rock History: July 6
While there may not be breaking news every day, important events are constantly happening around the world. Over the years, July 6 has seen momentous events in the rock music…
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
While there may not be breaking news every day, important events are constantly happening around the world. Over the years, July 6 has seen momentous events in the rock music industry, from significant milestones to breakthrough hits.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several iconic songs and albums climbed their way into the charts on July 6:
- 1963: The Surfaris' hit song "Wipe Out" was on its journey to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In its third week on the chart, it jumped from the 51st spot to No. 17.
- 1985: Several rock albums dominated the Billboard 200 chart. Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Prince and The Revolution, Bruce Springsteen, and The Power Station all had albums in the top 10 this week.
- 1988: "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard was at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It eventually peaked at No. 2 and stayed on the chart for 24 weeks.
Cultural Milestones
Beyond the charts, July 6 has witnessed key moments, particularly for Beatles fans:
- 1957: John Lennon met Paul McCartney for the first time during a fete at St. Peter's Church Hall in Woolton, Liverpool, marking the beginning of The Beatles. That meeting set in motion the journey that led them to become one of the biggest bands in music history.
- 1964: The Beatles made headlines when their first feature film, A Hard Day's Night, premiered at the London Pavilion. It included 12 of the band's greatest hits.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music industry is always changing, and July 6 has brought its share of new beginnings and farewells:
- 1949: Michael Shrieve, best known as the drummer for the rock band Santana, was born on this day in San Francisco, California.
- 2016: Founding member and drummer of American rock band The Box Tops, Danny Smythe, died at the age of 67. The group is known for hits such as "The Letter" and "Cry Like a Baby."
- 2018: Vinyl sales in the U.S. saw a 19.2% increase, with some rock music legends making the top 10 selling vinyl albums list. Panic! at the Disco's album Pray for the Wicked sold over 26 thousand albums, while The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band saw over 23 thousand sales.
From the spark that ignited The Beatles to rock anthems dominating the charts, July 6 made its mark on music history. This date shows how rock music not only endures but also evolves, surprises, and brings fans together across generations.
Kelly ShearingWriter
