Music History Today: January 9, 2022

January 9, 1981: Phil Collins released the single "In the Air Tonight."

"In the Air Tonight" is the debut solo single by the English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins, released from his debut solo album, Face Value.

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It remains one of Collins' best-known hits, often cited as his signature song, and is especially famous for its drum break towards the end, which has been described as "the sleekest, most melodramatic drum break in history" and one of the "101 Greatest Drumming Moments".  

Read more: Wikipedia

January 9, 1965: Dobie Gray entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "The 'In' Crowd."

"The 'In' Crowd" is a 1964 song written by Billy Page and arranged by his brother Gene that was originally performed by Dobie Gray on his album Dobie Gray Sings for "In" Crowders That Go "Go-Go". In the US, Gray's powerful Motown-like version, complete with brass section, reached number 11 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 20, 1965. 

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January 9, 1971: Diana Ross entered the American Top 40, at Number 31, with "Remember Me."

"Remember Me" is a 1970 single from her 1971 album Surrender. It was the album's first single.

Diana Ross

Written and produced by Ashford & Simpson, the song was Ross' third top forty pop hit within a year, peaking at number 16 on the Hot 100 chart and number 10 on the soul chart. 

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January 9, 1982: "Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy moved to the high end of the American Top 40.

"Working for the Weekend" by the Canadian rock band Loverboy is from their second studio album, Get Lucky. 

Loverboy

It has more of a power pop feel than the band's other songs, but this new sound proved to generate success; the song reached number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number two on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart in January 1982. 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 9, 1988: John Cougar Mellencamp topped out at Number 8 on the US music chart with "Cherry Bomb."

"Cherry Bomb" by American John Mellencamp was released as the second single from his ninth studio album, The Lonesome Jubilee. It's a nostalgic song that reflects on Mellencamp's teenage years hanging out at the Last Exit Teen Club. The single was released in the United States in October 1987, backed with the B-side "Shama Lama Ding Dong."  

Read more: Wikipedia

In the Air Tonight
Phil Collins