January 14, 1965 – David Bowie releases his first single in the U.S., “Can’t Help Thinking About Me.” This was the first single released after he changed his name from David (also Davie) Jones to David Bowie.
January 14, 1967 – The first “Human Be-In” takes place at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park with more than 25,000 people in attendance. It is the prelude to San Francisco’s Summer of Love. Performers include local bands Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Big Brother & The Holding Company and Quicksilver Messenger Service. Timothy Leary sets the tone with his famous phrase “Turn on, tune in, drop out” while “underground chemist” Owsley Stanley distributes his “White Lightning” LSD, specially produced for the event.
January 14, 1980 – Rush release Permanent Waves, their 7th studio album. It features two of their biggest songs – “Freewill” and “The Spirit of Radio.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
January 14, 1959 – Geoff Tate, vocals (Queensrÿche, Operation: Mindcrime)
January 14, 1967 – Zakk Wylde (born Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt), guitar, vocals (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, Pride & Glory)
January 14, 1969 – Dave Grohl, drums, vocals (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)
January 14, 1961 – Mike Tramp (born Michael Trempenau), vocals (White Lion, Mabel)
January 14, 1948 – T Bone Burnett (born Joseph Henry Burnett), producer, songwriter, guitar
January 14, 1962 – Patricia Morrison, bass (The Sisters of Mercy, The Damned)
January 14, 1938 – Allen Toussaint, songwriter, producer, vocals, piano (d. 2015)
HEADBANGERS HEAVEN:
January 14, 1992 – Jerry Nolan dies from a stroke after slipping into a coma while being treated for bacterial meningitis and bacterial pneumonia. He was 45. Nolan was the drummer for the New York Dolls and Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers. He played on the first two New York Dolls albums.