This Date In Music History-February 12

Birthdays:

Ray Manzarek of the Doors turns 70.

Chynna Phillips- Wilson Phillips (1968)

One-time Genesis guitarist and GTR founder Steve Hackett was born in London in 1950.

Jim Creeggan- Barenaked Ladies (1970)


They Are Missed:

The late Lorne Greene ("Ringo") was born in 1915.

Eldee Young of the Ramsey Lewis Trio and Young/Holt Unlimited died of a heart attack in 2007.

Sammi Smith ("Help Me Make It Through The Night") died in 2005 after a long illness.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins died in 2000 (age 70), after complications from surgery.

Oliver ("Good Morning Starshine") died of cancer in 2000.

In 1983, songwriter and jazz piano player Eubie Blake died at age 100 in New York.


History:

In 2007, over 50 years after he first appeared on the US charts with a cover version of The Charms' "Two Hearts,” crooner Pat Boone was receiving major US radio airplay for his new CD "Pat Boone R&B Classics - We Are Family". His rendition of "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" was the track most in-demand by listeners.

In 2003, former Doors drummer John Densmore took legal action against The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger for breach of contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition. The band had reformed with ex-Cult singer Ian Astbury and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland. Densmore said "It shouldn't be called The Doors if it's someone other than Jim Morrison singing." He would win the lawsuit in July, 2005 and the new ensemble was forced to stop calling themselves The Doors. As it should be.

In 1976, the Sex Pistols launched their first U.K. tour with Eddie & The Hot Rods.

Jimi Hendrix returned home to Seattle in 1968 where he received a key to the city and an honorary high school diploma. He also played for the students of Garfield High School from which he had dropped out. Hendrix was thrown out of the school at the age of 16, apparently for holding the hand of a white girl in class.

"Roundabout" was released by Yes in 1972.

In 1964, Beatlemania hit New York as the group played two shows at Carnegie Hall tonight. The New York Times said the audience gave a better performance than the band. The New Street Music record store offered to send anyone who buys a Beatles record to a barbershop next door to receive a free Beatles haircut.

In 1961, The Miracles' "Shop Around" became Motown's first million-selling single. In the following ten years, The Miracles would have six more million sellers.

In 1965, 18 year-old Donovan Leitch appeared on the UK music show Ready Steady Go!, where he performed his debut single "Catch The Wind". The tune would reach #4 in his homeland and #23 in the US.

In 1967, London police busted Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithful on drug charges.

The Silhouettes hit #1 with "Get a Job" in 1958.

In 1972, "Let's Stay Together," by Al Green, dislodged Don McLean's "American Pie" from it's month-long reign at #1.

“Eat a Peach,” by the Allman Brothers Band was released in 1972. Mixing live and studio material, it features the last studio recordings by Duane Allman.