Music History Today: January 1, 2022

January 1, 2000: More than halfway there, at Number 45, Lonestar began its trip to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with "Amazed."

"Amazed" by Lonestar, a power ballad, is the band's longest-lasting number one single and biggest hit. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks and remained there for eight consecutive weeks.

Lonestar

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It was then remixed for pop radio. It became the first power ballad to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart since Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" in 1998, as well as the first new country song to top the pop charts since Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's 1983 duet "Islands in the Stream" 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 1, 1966: "Barbara Ann" by The Beach Boys entered the US Hot 100 chart.

For the 1965 album, "Beach Boys' Party!," Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys sang tunes by contemporary bands like the Beatles along with doo wop classics.

Beach Boys

Played on acoustic instruments, the songs seemed to be recorded live at a house party; in fact, the album was recorded in the studio and laughter, handclaps and chatter were added later for effect. The album yielded one of the Beach Boys' biggest hits: a cover of the Regents' "Barbara Ann." 

Read more: Ezine 

January 1, 1970: Santana released "Evil Ways."

Though most people identify the song “Black Magic Woman” with Santana, it was actually written in the late ’60s by Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green.

Carlos Santana

And, in fact, it become a hit in Britain for Fleetwood Mac before Santana ever recorded it. The original version, however, is substantially different from Santana’s iconic recording. 

Read more: Ultimate Santana

 

January 1, 1972: T. Rex entered the American Top 100 chart with "Bang a Gong (Get It On)."

"Bang a Gong (Get It On)" was written and recorded when T. Rex was touring America in 1971.

Marc Bolan

The group had made inroads in their native UK with their 1970 self-titled album, but were little-known in the US. Marc Bolan wanted to change that by coming up with something that would strike to the heart in America. 

Read more: Songfacts

January 1, 1994: "Amazing" by Aerosmith entered the US Top 40 chart.

"Amazing" is a power ballad by Aerosmith. Don Henley lends his vocals, shadowing lead singer Steven Tyler in parts of this song. Written by Tyler and longtime band friend and collaborator Richie Supa, it peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

Read more: Wikipedia

Amazed
Lonestar