Jimmy Page Is Born (1944)
On January 9, 1944, Jimmy Page was born in Middlesex, England and rose to fame as a member of The Yardbirds before forming Led Zeppelin, one of the most influential rock bands of all time.
Led Zeppelin earned multiple No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, including Led Zeppelin II and In Through the Out Door. The band also scored several Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, such as “Whole Lotta Love,” “Black Dog,” and “Immigrant Song.”
Jimmy Page shares his birthday with Sean Paul and Crystal Gayle, making January 9 a notable date for music fans.
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File
Notable January 9 Album Releases
1984 – Van Halen
In 1984, Van Halen released their landmark album 1984. While it narrowly missed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200—blocked by Michael Jackson’s Thriller—the album became one of the band’s most successful releases.
It produced Top 20 singles “Panama” and “Hot for Teacher,” both reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
2012 – The Maccabees
British indie band The Maccabees released their third album, Given to the Wild, in the UK. Featuring standout tracks like “Pelican” and “Feel to Follow,” the album peaked at No. 4 on the UK Official Albums Chart, though it did not chart on the Billboard 200.
2015 – Meghan Trainor
On January 9, 2015, Meghan Trainor released her debut album Title. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week.
It included her signature hit “All About That Bass,” which became her only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and a defining female empowerment anthem of the decade.
Cultural Music Moments on January 9
1973: Lou Reed married Bettye Kronstad
2005: Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil married Lia Gerardini
2013: The People’s Choice Awards aired, featuring performances by Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera and One Direction, Jennifer Lawrence and Katy Perry taking some home.
2016: Fans gathered in Los Angeles for Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister’s funeral, honoring the Motörhead legend following his passing in 2015
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Why January 9 Matters in Music
From rock pioneers and chart-topping albums to unforgettable cultural moments, January 9 stands as a powerful date in music history, bridging generations of sound and influence.