Historic events this week from Joe Strummer, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and John Lennon
DECEMBER 22, 2002: JOE STRUMMER DIES
Joe Strummer of The Clash died on this date of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. He was 50 years old.
The Clash would be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame one year later.
DECEMBER 26, 1968: LED ZEPPELIN’S FIRST US TOUR
Thanks to a cancellation by the Jeff Beck Group, Led Zeppelin began their first North American tour in Denver, as the opening act for Vanilla Fudge.
DECEMBER 26, 1981: AC/DC’S FIRST US #1 ALBUM
Believe it or not, AC/DC‘s Back In Black, didn’t make it to #1 in the US. It peaked at #4.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) unseated Foreigner‘s 4 for three weeks, before 4 regained the top spot.
For Those About to Rock would remain their only US #1 album until Black Ice in 2008 and Power Up in 2020.
DECEMBER 27, 1980: JOHN LENNON’S “(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER” IS #1
John Lennon had his first US #1 single when “Whatever Gets You thru the Night” topped the charts for one week.
Three weeks after his murder, the last single released in his lifetime, “(Just Like) Starting Over,” began a 5 week run at #1 atop the Billboard Hot 100.
