Today in rock history: on this date in 1973, Philadelphia duo Daryl Hall and John Oates released their second studio album, Abandoned Luncheonette. The record hinted at the duo’s deep love and admiration for soul music and identified them as purveyors of “blue eyed soul.” The striking front cover depicts the remains of a famous diner originally located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania that was dumped on the side of a road after its closure instead of featuring Daryl or John on its cover who, in later years, made it known that this is their personal favorite album of a lengthy catalog. The record features the massive hit single, “She’s Gone” which didn’t chart well upon its original release. Cover versions of the song initially drew more attention to the soul/pop gem; soul singer Lou Rawls released a version of it as did R&B group Tavares who took the song all the way to No. 1 on Billboard’s soul singles chart. Later, after Hall and Oates had enjoyed a bit of success, their version was re-released as a single and fared much better and has since become a live staple in the pair’s live concerts.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1979, the No. 1 single in the United States was a futuristic, electronic, dance-pop single by the name of “Pop Muzik.” The song was credited to the plainly titled artist M which was actually the brainchild of British musician Robin Scott. The single became a hit in England earlier in ’79 and later in the year topped singles charts in America as well as in several countries around the world. The song’s wide appeal came in part due to a music video was filmed for the song before the massive boom of early 80s music exploded. The catchy tune was the only taste of success M would enjoy around the world; a few follow up singles and albums came later but none attracted the attention or the success of “Pop Muzik.”

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Review: Adam Ant Invasion at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Today In rock history: on this date in 1954, Stuart Leslie Goddard was born in Marleybone, London, England. Getting involved in the late 1970’s U.K. punk rock movement, Goddard adopted the stage name Adam Ant and formed a band that would soon become wildly popular all around the world, Adam and the Ants. Achieving success as part of the 1980s new romantic movement, Ant became one of the most commanding and striking musical figures due in part to the elaborate pirate and Native American-inspired stage costumed he frequently donned. First scoring a pile of hits in England, Ant’s appeal soon caught on in America as well where he benefited from lots of heavy exposure on music video network, MTV. Still recording and touring to this date, Adam Ant remains one of the most popular and enduring musical artists to have emerged as part of the legendary punk rock movement that revolutionized modern music. Adam Ant plays Clearwater's Capitol Theatre on January 31 — more information on the show is available here.

Today in rock history: on this date in 1978, British Mod-inspired pop trio The Jam released its third studio album, the classic All Mod Cons. The title is a play on words on the home advertising phrase “all modern conveniences” but also served as a nod to the band’s involvement with the British Mod movement. One of the best-loved and revered albums of the band’s catalog, the record peaked at No. 6 on British album sales charts and solidified the band’s place in British pop history. Featuring the singles “Down In The Tube Station At Midnight” and a cover of the Kinks song, “David Watts,” the band’s stature on British singles charts was well represented with this record as well as both singles charted well in the U.K. The band that’s largely attributed with inspiring the Britpop movement is often most heralded for the significance and the impact this particular album carried. At only 20 years of age when this album was released, lead singer, guitarist and chief songwriter Paul Weller asserted himself as one of the most talented and influential British musical figures of the era from which he emerged with this and all of the records he released with this highly impactful band.