January 16

2018 The Secret Service question Eminem about lyrics in his song “Framed,” where he imagines Ivanka Trump murdered in the trunk of his car. Agents determine he is not a threat; Eminem later raps about it on his song “The Ringer“: “Agent Orange just sent the Secret Service to meet in person.”

1992 Eric Clapton records Eric Clapton Unplugged for MTV. The album wins six Grammy Awards, including Record Of The Year.

January 17

1976 Barry Manilow’s “I Write The Songs,” written by Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys, hits #1 in America. It wins the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

2000 Garth Brooks wins the 1990s’ Artist of the Decade at the American Music Awards, having sold over 95 million albums, more than any other American recording artist.

January 18

1991 Three teenagers are crushed at an AC/DC concert at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. The band learns of the tragedy a few songs later; they complete the show at the request of the fire marshal.

2016 Glenn Frey dies at age 67. Years in the fast lane took a toll on Frey, who suffered from a host of ailments. Frey founded the Eagles, and along with Don Henley, led the group throughout their career. He had a successful solo career while the group was on hiatus, reaching #2 with “The Heat Is On“ in 1985.

January 19

1971 The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter“ plays at Charles Manson’s murder trial as evidence. Manson claimed the song was about an impending race war, and led to murderous acts.

2009 Jeff Healey sweeps the 12th annual Maple Blues Awards, the event honoring excellence among Canadian blues artists, in Toronto, Canada winning three Maple Blues Awards, including the “Entertainer of the Year” honor.

January 20

2012 Etta James dies at age 73 of leukemia complications.

2016 Mamma Mia, here we go again! The Swedish pop quartet ABBA reunite for the first time in eight years to celebrate Mamma Mia! The Party, a restaurant inspired by the long-running musical.

January 21

2014 Against Me! release the album Transgender Dysphoria Blues, their first since lead singer Laura Jane Grace came out as transgender. The album began as a concept piece about a transexual prostitute back when Grace was still presenting as a man (Tom Gabel). The personal implications became clear when she came out and her bandmates figured out what was going on. Two of the four members of the band – drummer Jay Weinberg and bass player Andrew Seward – quit before they completed it, but the album earns strong reviews and Grace becomes a leader in the fight for transgender rights.

January 22

1981 They publish the John Lennon tribute issue of Rolling Stone with the famous Annie Leibovitz photo of a naked Lennon embracing a fully clothed Yoko Ono. The magazine does not publish Lennon’s full interview until 2010.

January 23

1986 The first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino.