On January 22, 1959, Buddy Holly recorded his final songs in his New York City apartment, performing with only his guitar and a tape recorder. Among those recordings were “Peggy Sue Got Married” and “That Makes It Tough.”
The very next day, Holly departed for The Winter Dance Party Tour. Just two weeks later, he tragically lost his life in a plane crash—an event that forever changed music history.
While heartbreaking, that moment marked a turning point for the industry. January 22 has since become a date filled with influential releases, chart milestones, cultural shifts, and unforgettable performances. Here’s a look back at Top 40 history from January 22.
Breakthrough Hits and Chart Milestones
January 22 has seen major achievements on the charts across decades:
1966: “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles reaches No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1972: Don McLean’s American Pie hits No. 1 on the U.S. album chart, holding the spot for seven weeks.
1980: Steve Martin’s Comedy Is Not Pretty earns Gold certification with over 500,000 units sold.
2016: Zach Herron releases his first solo single, “Timelapse,” before later joining Why Don’t We.
2019: Jason Derulo’s “In My Head” earns 3x and 4x Platinum digital certifications.
2020: Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus earn Gold and Platinum certifications for “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart.”
2021: Sabrina Carpenter releases “Skin,” sparking fan speculation and pop-culture debate.
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Cultural Milestones
Beyond the charts, January 22 has shaped the music industry in powerful ways:
1940: Addie Harris of The Shirelles is born. The group would become the first all-female Black group to score a No. 1 album.
1983 after 1 1/2 yrs on air, MTV began broadcasting to the West Coast of America.
1998: Billboard introduces the Top 40 Tracks chart, expanding how pop radio airplay is measured.
2015: Rihanna wins a landmark legal battle against Topshop over the unauthorized use of her image.
2025: Tickets go on sale for the FireAid Benefit Concert, supporting victims of the Los Angeles fires and featuring artists like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, and more.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These moments from January 22 left a lasting impression on fans and the industry:
1966: The Beach Boys record “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” at Gold Star Studios.
2010: Stars including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Madonna, and Justin Timberlake perform during the Hope for Haiti Now telethon.
2020: The Weeknd performs “Blinding Lights” on Jimmy Kimmel Live while promoting After Hours.
2024: Madonna takes the stage at Madison Square Garden during her Celebration Tour.
Why January 22 Still Matters
What happened in the past sets the tone for the future. From Buddy Holly’s final recordings to chart-topping hits and cultural breakthroughs, these January 22 moments continue to influence Top 40 history and modern pop music today.