January 19 holds a unique place in music history, marked by historic events, landmark album releases, unforgettable performances, and the loss of influential artists.
A Historic Night Before a Presidential Inauguration
On January 19, 1961—the night before John F. Kennedy’s presidential inauguration—Frank Sinatra hosted JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala at the National Guard Armory in Washington, D.C. The star-studded event was organized to help the Democratic Party pay off a $2 million campaign debt. Legendary performers including Harry Belafonte and Nat King Cole joined Sinatra onstage, making the evening one of the most glamorous political celebrations in U.S. history.
Notable Album Releases on January 19
This date has also seen several major music milestones:
1981: Styx released Paradise Theater, their only number-one album, featuring multiple Top 10 hits.
1988: Megadeth launched So Far, So Good… So What!, their first album to break into the Billboard 200 Top 40.
2024: Green Day released Saviors, which topped the Official Albums Chart in the U.K. and debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart.
(Cover pic: Rich Fury/Getty Images)
2004 VH1 goes on a mission to bring ’80s bands back together with the series Bands Reunited, successfully reanimating A Flock of Seagulls, Scandal, The Alarm, and Berlin. Extreme and New Kids On The Block don’t reunite for the show but do a few years later.
2011 Not telling his band, Steven Tyler made his debut appearance as a judge on Idol’s 10th season, (replacing Simon Cowell) and alongside Randy Jackson and new judge JLo.
Michael Becker / FOX
Memorable Live Performances
January 19 has delivered standout live moments as well:
1967: Pink Floyd performed alongside Marmalade at London’s legendary Marquee Club.
2019: Toni Braxton kicked off her As Long as I Live Tour in South Carolina in support of her album Sex & Cigarettes.
Remembering Artists Lost on January 19
The date is also marked by the loss of beloved musicians:
2000: Josh Clayton-Felt, frontman of School of Fish, passed away at age 32.
2006: Soul legend Wilson Pickett died at 64.
2007: Denny Doherty of The Mamas & the Papas passed away at 66.
From iconic performances to significant losses, January 19 remains a powerful and memorable date in music history.