Historic events this week from Van Halen, Alice In Chains, Billy Joel and Jonny Lang

JANUARY 24, 1995: BALANCE BY VAN HALEN
Van Halen’s Balance was their fourth with singer Sammy Hagar.

The final Van Halen studio album to feature Hagar on vocals, was also their fourth straight US #1 album.

The 3x Platinum album featured three Top 10 singles, and earned the band their fourth Grammy nomination for “The Seventh Seal.”

• • •
JANUARY 25, 1994: ALICE IN CHAINS’ JAR OF FLIES
After two albums of alternative metal, Alice In Chains switched gears with the largely acoustic Jar of Flies EP.

Featuring their first #1 single, “No Excuses”, the EP has sold over 3 million copies worldwide and is their second biggest release behind 1992’s Dirt.

Jar of Flies is the first EP in music history to debut at #1.

• • •
JANUARY 27, 2014: BILLY JOEL BEGINS MADISON SQUARE GARDEN RESIDENCY
Billy Joel announced a once monthly residency at Madison Square Garden, for as long as there is demand.

He only performed 2 shows at MSG in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he’s back at it.

January 13, 2023 marked 87th show of his residency, and his 133rd performance at Madison Square Garden over his six decade career.

• • •
JANUARY 28, 1997: JONNY LANG’S LIE TO ME

Jonny Lang released his major-label debut, Lie to Me, the day before he turned 16.

On the strength of the album’s title track, the sophomore album went Gold four months later and was certified Platinum (1 million sold) a year after its release.