This Date In Music History- February 8

Birthdays:

Creed Bratton- Grass Roots (1943)

Paul Wheatbread- Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1946)

Adolpho De La Para, drums, Canned Heat (1946)

Dan Seals- England Dan & John Ford Coley (1948)

Vince Neil- Motley Crue (1961)

Dave 'Phoenix' Ferrel- Linkin Park (1977)

Larry Verne ("Please Mr. Custer") turns 73.

Sammy Llanas- The BoDeans (1961)


They Are Missed:

Del Shannon died of self inflicted gunshot wounds in 1990.

In 1973, Max Yasgur the owner of the Woodstock farm where the 1969 festival was held died of a heart attack (age 53).

Keith Knudson, drummer with The Doobie Brothers, died of pneumonia in 2005 (age 56).


History:

George Harrison's tonsils were removed in 1969 at London's University College Hospital. The tonsils were destroyed so they could not be sold. (Oh, what a price would have been paid if eBay was around back then!)

In 1965, the Supremes released "Stop in the Name of Love," which became their fourth #1 single.

In 1960, the House of Representatives Special Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight opened hearings on disc jockey "payola."

Buddy Holly signed a recording contract with Decca Records (the contract left off the "E" in his last name, "Holley" so he dropped it from his stage name, as well) in 1956.

In 1972, London's Royal Albert Hall canceled a performance of Frank Zappa's classical opus "200 Motels." They claimed the lyrics were obscene.

Queen released their first hit single, "Killer Queen" in 1975.

In 1988, the Who (minus the late Keith Moon) reunited for their 25th anniversary at a London awards ceremony.

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood formed Blind Faith in 1969.

Right Said Fred started a three-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with the inane cut, “I'm Too Sexy” (#2 hit in the UK).

In 1981, R.E.M. made their first ever-recording sessions at Bombay Studios Smyrna, Georgia. Tracks included “Gardening At Night,” “Radio Free Europe" and “(Don't Go Back To) Rockville.”

Bob Dylan went to #1 on the US album chart in 1975 with “Blood On The Tracks,” his second #1 album.

In 1975, the Ohio Players went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Fire.”

On their first full day in New York in 1964, the Beatles (minus George who had a sore throat), went for a photo-opportunity walk around Central Park. Extra police were called in to keep fans away. Later in the day The Ronettes interviewed the band for radio.

Mark Dinning went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1960 with 'Teen Angel', a #37 hit in the UK.

The Quarry Men appeared at the Wilson Hall in Garston in 1958. After the show Paul McCartney introduced George Harrison to John Lennon, George performed “Raunchy” for John, who was impressed with the young guitarist.

Oasis were forced to cancel their first foreign tour in 1994, after they were deported from Holland. The band was involved in a drunken brawl on a cross-channel ferry resulting in members of the band being arrested and locked in the brig on the ferry.