On this day in 1981, The J. Geils Band struck gold with their album ‘Freeze-Frame.’ Fueled by the infectious energy of the No. 1 hit “Centerfold” and the Top 5 title track, the album became a major commercial success. By February 1982, it had climbed to the top of the album charts for a four-week run. ‘Freeze-Frame’ showcased the band’s ability to fuse rock with pop sensibilities, solidifying their place in early ’80s rock. “Centerfold,” with its cheeky lyrics and catchy melody, remains one of the band’s most iconic songs.
In 1987, David Lee Roth, former frontman of Van Halen, released “Just Like Paradise” as the lead single from his second solo album, ‘Skyscraper.’ The song, with its soaring vocals and upbeat rhythm, became one of Roth’s most successful solo efforts, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reflected Roth’s penchant for larger-than-life showmanship and his ability to blend rock with pop appeal. ‘Skyscraper’ highlighted Roth’s evolution as a solo artist, further cementing his reputation as a dynamic and flamboyant performer.
Today, we also celebrate the 77th birthday of Jeff Lynne, the mastermind behind the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and a key member of the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys. Lynne’s innovative production and songwriting have made him one of rock’s most respected figures. With ELO, he crafted a unique fusion of orchestral arrangements and rock, delivering timeless hits like “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Don’t Bring Me Down.” As a Wilbury, he collaborated with legends like George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty, further showcasing his versatility and influence in the music world.
DECEMBER 30TH IN ROCK HISTORY
1968: Led Zeppelin played their first North American concert in Denver, Colorado, opening for Vanilla Fudge. This marked the beginning of their journey to becoming one of rock’s greatest bands.
1984: Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen was tragically injured in a car accident, resulting in the loss of his left arm. Allen’s remarkable recovery and adaptation made him a symbol of perseverance in the music world.
1999: George Harrison recorded his final song, “Horse to the Water,” just two years before his passing in 2001. The track was co-written with his son, Dhani Harrison.
WORLD HISTORY DECEMBER 30, 2024
Ancient History
On December 30, 1460, the Battle of Wakefield occurred during the Wars of the Roses in England, a pivotal conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster.
Modern History
On December 30, 1922, the Soviet Union was formally established, uniting Russia and several other territories under a communist government. It would go on to shape global politics for much of the 20th century.
Weird news and random factoids

Random Facts
Radio Milestone: The first-ever commercial radio broadcast was made by KDKA in Pittsburgh on November 2, 1920, covering the U.S. presidential election results.
Vinyl Comeback: In 2020, vinyl records outsold CDs in the U.S. for the first time since the 1980s.
Expensive Concert Ticket: The most expensive concert ticket ever sold was for The Rolling Stones’ “A Bigger Bang” concert in Rio de Janeiro, priced at $5,000.
Space Sounds: While space is a vacuum and sound can’t travel, NASA has converted electromagnetic data from space into audio. These eerie “space sounds” include solar winds and planetary magnetospheres.
Sports Pricing: The most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold is the original Olympic manifesto from 1892, which fetched $8.8 million at an auction in 2019.
Golden Record: In 1977, NASA sent the Voyager Golden Records into space, featuring music, sounds, and greetings from Earth. It included tracks from Beethoven, Chuck Berry, and traditional world music.
Concert Attendance: Rod Stewart holds the record for the largest concert crowd, with 3.5 million attendees at Copacabana Beach in 1994.
Football Money: The Dallas Cowboys, valued at $9 billion in 2023, are the most valuable sports team in the world.
Radio Reach: It is estimated that radio waves from Earth have reached over 100 light-years into space, potentially being picked up by intelligent life.
Money Fact: The first U.S. paper currency was issued in 1690 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony to fund military expeditions.
Weird News
Lost Beatles Record Found in Attic: A rare demo disc by The Beatles was discovered in a U.K. attic in 2016 and sold for $110,000.
Concert Ticket in Space: In 2021, a space tourist brought a concert ticket from the first-ever concert they attended on their trip to the International Space Station.
Sports and Aliens: A 1978 soccer game in Florence, Italy, was interrupted when a UFO reportedly hovered over the stadium. Players and spectators were left bewildered.
Money in the Walls: In 2021, a plumber found $600,000 in cash and checks hidden in the walls of a Houston church during renovations.
Vinyl Records in Antarctica: Scientists at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, are said to have a vinyl collection that includes rare 1960s records, providing a retro soundtrack in the freezing wilderness.
Space Auction: A Russian cosmonaut once tried selling a space-flown concert ticket on eBay, claiming it had traveled around Earth 3,000 times.
Stadium Oddity: At a Japanese baseball game in 2020, instead of fans, 20,000 robot spectators cheered for the teams.
Cash Confusion: A man in Germany mistakenly deposited €500,000 into a vending machine at a train station, thinking it was an ATM.
Radio DJ Marathon: In 2019, an Australian DJ broke the world record for the longest radio show, staying on air for 200 hours straight.
Money from Space: In 2023, a coin that traveled to the Moon on the Apollo 11 mission sold for over $2 million.
NEWHD MATH
A radio signal travels at the speed of light, approximately 3×1083 \times 10^83×108 m/s. How long would it take for a signal to reach Mars when the planet is 225 million kilometers from Earth?
Solution:
Distance = 225×106225 \times 10^6225×106 km = 225×109225 \times 10^9225×109 meters.
Time = Distance / Speed:
Time=225×1093×108=750 seconds.\text{Time} = \frac{225 \times 10^9}{3 \times 10^8} = 750 \text{ seconds}.Time=3×108225×109=750 seconds.
Convert to minutes:
750 seconds÷60=12.5 minutes.750 \, \text{seconds} \div 60 = 12.5 \, \text{minutes}.750seconds÷60=12.5minutes.
Answer: It would take 12.5 minutes.
Founded in 2019, Sophia’s Mission is a registered 501(c)3 organization committed to creating employment opportunities for Autistic individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans in the dynamic fields of audio, radio, and media. By partnering with NEWHD Media, Sophia’s Mission has become instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusivity across these industries.
This partnership is embodied in the iconic stations NEWHD New York, “Where Rock Lives,” NEWHD Los Angeles, “LA’s Rock and Pop,” and Veterans Classic Rock. Available on platforms like the NEWHD Radio App, Audacy, TuneIn, and Apple Music, these stations offer listeners a unique experience while providing job opportunities to individuals who face barriers in traditional job markets.
You can support Sophia’s Mission by sharing their impactful journey and downloading the NEWHD Radio App to listen to NEWHD New York and NEWHD Los Angeles. Together, we can promote inclusivity in the audio industry. Plus, with seamless integration into Apple CarPlay, it’s easier than ever to enjoy great music while supporting an important cause. Let’s work together to amplify the voices that need to be heard!