This Day In Music History- Feb 29

Gretchen Christopher of the Fleetwoods ("Come Softly To Me") is 17 (she was born 68 years ago but only has a birthday once every four years)

Partridge Family producer/songwriter Wes Farrell ("Hang On Sloopy", "Come On Down To My Boat", "Come A Little Bit Closer" and many others) died in Fisher Island, Florida in 1996. He also worked with the Everly Brothers and Lou Christie. The Beatles, Van Morrison, Jay & the Americans, and the Yardbirds also covered his songs.

In 1980, Mason City Police discovered a file containing Buddy Holly's glasses and a watch owned by The Big Bopper, that were found in the wreckage of their plane crash in 1959. Holly's cuff links worn during the crash had already been presented to Paul McCartney back in 1976, when the first Buddy Holly Week was held. Holly's widow would eventually launch a lawsuit to recover his glasses.

Aretha Franklin won her first Grammy (Best Female R&B Vocal for "Respect") in 1968.

In 2000, Lonestar top the Hot 100 chart with the their country single "Amazed." It's the first time a country song has gone to No. 1 since Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's "Islands in the Stream" in 1983.

2000 - In Guilford, Surrey, Eric Clapton had his driving privileges suspended for six months and was fined about $570 dollars for speeding. (I guess he’s not “slow foot)

In 1964, Betty Everett's "The Shoop Shoop Song" entered the Billboard chart, where it will peak at #6.

In 2000, 'Two Against Nature,' Steely Dan's first studio album since 1980, was released.

Today in 1992, the song "To Be with You" by Mr. Big topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

The Beatles won an Album of the Year Grammy for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in 1968. How could they not win with one of the most historic LP’s ever released?

John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s U.S. visas expired in 1972. This begins a three-year struggle for permanent residency status. The couple were viewed as political radicals by the Nixon Administration who wants them deported. John and Yoko eventually win the right to stay.

In 2000, Smashing Pumpkins released “MACHINA/The Machines of Gods,” their last studio LP.