Wednesday, February 27, 2008

This Day In Music History- Feb 27

Pink Floyd recorded their first single, "Arnold Layne," at Sound Techniques Studio in London in 1967. It reached #20 on the British singles chart.

'Pearl,' the album that Janis Joplin was making at the time of her death, hits #1 on the album charts in 1971, where it will stay for nine weeks.

1982-'Damn the Torpedoes' is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ first album to be certified platinum (one million copies sold).

In 1970, Jefferson Airplane was fined $1,000 for onstage profanity in Oklahoma City.

James Brown was paroled from prison after serving two years on drug and assault charges in 1991.

Keith Richards was arrested for heroin possession in Toronto in 1977. Police find heroin, cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia. Authorities accuse Richards of intending to traffic the drugs but Keith’s attorney claims his client’s drug problem is so extreme all the drugs are for his personal use.

Jamie Foxx wins a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the movie, "Ray" in 2005.

The Miracles make their first TV appearance, on "American Bandstand" in 1960.

Today in 1961, the song "Pony Time" by Chubby Checker topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

In 2003, a lawyer for Great White's tour manager says the band had permission from a Rhode Island nightclub to use pyrotechnics at their fatal Feb. 20 show. Ninety-six people died after the club caught fire. The Boston Herald reports the band's record sales are up following the tragedy.

Journey founder and Santana guitarist Neal Schon was born in San Mateo, CA in 1954.

In 1956, Specialty Records released Little Richard's "Slippin' and Slidin'." The song becomes the pianist's first R&B No. 1, while its flip side, "Long Tall Sally," becomes his first top 10 pop hit.

1990 - Milli Vanilli's Rob Pilatus shared his perspective on life with Time magazine. In the interview he said, "Musically, we're more talented than any Bob Dylan or Paul McCartney. Mick Jagger can't produce a sound. I'm the new Elvis." In a related story, it was reported that pigs fly.

Cindy Wilson (The B-52's) was born in Athens, GA in 1957.

Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist (since ‘87 - replacing the late Ronnie Van Zant), Johnny Van Zant, was born in 1960.

In 2007, an album featuring the children of well-known musicians performing their parent's hits is available exclusively in Target stores. "Song For My Father " includes Salvador Santana's rendition of "Evil Ways" and Devon Allman's version of "Midnight Rider."

In 1980, The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" wins a Grammy Award for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, while Billy Joel's "52nd Street" wins both Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded "Ebony and Ivory" in 1981, which will top both the Billboard Pop chart and the Adult Contemporary chart during a 15 week run.