Friday, February 20, 2009

This Date In music History- February 20

Birthdays:

Brian Littrell-The Backstreet Boys (1975)

Barbara Ellis- Fleetwoods (1940)

Buffy Sainte-Marie (1941)

Jerome Geils- J. Geils Band (1946)

Ian Brown- Stone Roses (1963)

Walter Becker- Steely Dan is 59.

Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty) R&B singer (1988)

Nancy Wilson (1937)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1945, Alan Hull, guitarist, singer, songwriter, Lindisfarne. Hull died of a heart attack on 17th November 1996.

Kurt Cobain- Nirvana (1967)

Randy California (Spirit) was born in 1951. He died on January 2, 1997 when rescuing his 12 year-old son after he was sucked into a riptide in surf off Hawaii.

In 1980, Bon Scott, singer from AC/DC was pronounced dead on arrival at a London hospital after a heavy night's drinking. Scott was found in the passenger seat of a friend's parked car. The official coroner's report stated that he had "Drunk himself to death." after suffocating on his own vomit.


History:

Bon Jovi began recording their third album, “Slippery When Wet” in Vancouver in 1986. With “You Give Love A Bad Name” and “Livin’ On A Prayer,” the album has sold more than 10 million copies.

At the 19th annual Grammy Awards in 1977, statues were presented to Stevie Wonder for Best Album for "Songs In The Key Of Life", and Best Vocal Performance for "I Wish". Best Album went to Chicago for "Chicago X", Best New Artist went to The Starland Vocal Band. Chicago is also cited for Best Pop Vocal Performance for "If You Leave Me Now".

In 2007, Electric Light Orchestra issue an expanded and remastered version of their '77 album, "Out Of The Blue," to mark the disc's 30th anniversary. There are three previously unreleased tracks and notes co-written by ELO frontman Jeff Lynne.

The Beach Boys recorded "Don't Worry Baby" in 1964.

The soundtrack to 'Jesus Christ Superstar' went to #1 on the US album chart in 1971. The album peaked at #6 on the UK chart.

Gary Lewis and the Playboys started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1965 with 'This Diamond Ring.' Session musicians were used on the track instead of the band and Gary's voice was heavily over dubbed with other singers. Lewis is the son of actor Jerry Lewis.

The single 'Instant Karma' by The Plastic Ono Band was released in the US in 1970. John Lennon had written, recorded and mixed the track all in one day on the 22nd January 1970.

Appearing on the first date of a six day tour of Florida in 1958 were Bill Haley and his Comets, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmie Rodgers, under the title 'The Big Gold Record Stars.'

Ben and Jerry's introduced a their ice cream Phish Food in 1997. It was named after the rock group Phish.

In West Warwick, RI, in 2003, 99 people were killed when fire destroyed the nightclub The Station. The fire started with sparks from a pyrotechnic display being used by Great White. Ty Longley, guitarist for Great White, was one of the victims in the fire. Two brothers who owned the club were charged, along with the former tour manager with involuntary manslaughter. Foam soundproofing material at the edge of the stage set alight and the blaze spread quickly in the one-storey wooden building as fans all tried to escape through the same exit. Great White began a tour in July 2003 to raise money for the survivors and families of victims.

In 2004, Brian Wilson kicked off an 11-date UK tour at London's Royal Festival Hall. The shows saw Wilson performing the full suite of songs from his unreleased masterpiece 'Smile' Wilson's teenage symphony to God.

In 1974, Cher filed for separation from husband Sonny Bono. She filed for divorce not long afterwards. They had been married for 10 years.

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