Sanarchive:Selected anniversaries/January 18

18 January: Major events in the arts

1944 – The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosted its first-ever major jazz concert, featuring legends such as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw.
1977 – The legendary punk rock band The Damned released New Rose, which is widely recognized as the first punk rock single ever released in the United Kingdom.
1980 – English musicians Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones performed together at a historic charity event, showcasing the enduring influence of rock and roll.
2002 – The Sierra Leone Civil War officially ended, marking the beginning of a cultural reconstruction period that revitalized traditional West African arts and music.