This Date In Music History-February 12

Birthdays:

Ray Manzarek - Doors (1939)

Rick Frank - Elephant's Memory (1942)

Joe Schermie - Three Dog Night (1945)

Stanley Knight - Black Oak Arkansas (1949)

Steve Hackett - quit Genesis in 1977 for solo work (1950)

Michael McDonald - Doobie Brothers (1952)

Neil Conti - Prefab Sprout (1959)

Gary Whelan - Happy Mondays (1966)

Paul Crook - guitarist, worked with Meat Loaf, Anthrax and Sebastian Bach (1966)

Chynna Phillips, Wilson Phillips (1968)

Jim Creeggan - Barenaked Ladies (1970)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1915, Lorne Greene, star of the NBC TV show Bonanza. He had a US #1 single "Ringo," which made him the second Canadian to have a US #1 single. Greene died on September 11,1987.

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



American bassist and songwriter John London died in 2000 (age 58). Worked with The Monkees, James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.

Blues singer Screamin' Jay Hawkins died in 2000 (age 70). A Golden Gloves boxing champion at 16, he was married nine times, spent two years in jail, was temporary blinded by one of his flaming props on stage in 1976. He recorded "I Put A Spell On You" in 1956, covered by The Animals, CCR and Nina Simone.

Born today in 1958, Grant McLennan, bass, vocals, songwriter, The Go-Betweens and solo. McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane, Australia on May 6, 2006.

Eldee Young of the Ramsey Lewis Trio ("Hang On Sloopy") and Young/Holt Unlimited ("Soulful Strut") died of a heart attack in 2007.


History:

The Miracles' "Shop Around" became Motown's first million-selling single in 1961.

In 1964, the Beatles returned to New York City by train from Washington, D.C. for two performances at Carnegie Hall. There was such a demand for tickets that some extra seating was arranged surrounding the stage. Tickets ranged from $1.65 to $5.50.

In 1965, Pye Records announced that they'd signed 'the British Bob Dylan,' when they added Donovan to the label.

The law raided Rolling Stone Keith Richards’ house in 1967where they find “various substances of suspicious nature.” Richards’ legal troubles along with the drug related arrests of Mick Jagger and Brian Jones nearly halts the Stones.

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.

In 1970, John Lennon performed "Instant Karma," on BBC TV's 'Top Of The Pops,' becoming the first Beatle to have appeared on the show since 1966.



"Roundabout" was released by Yes in 1972.

Al Green went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1972 with "Let's Stay Together," his only US chart topper.

Barbra Streisand started a six-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1977 with 'A Star Is Born.'

The Police recorded their first single, 'Fall Out ' for £150 ($255) at Pathway Studios, London in 1977.

In 1977, Blondie, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and the Ramones all appeared at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, California.

Axl Rose walked off the stage during a Guns N’ Roses concert in Phoenix in 1988. Their subsequent shows supporting David Lee Roth are canceled as rumors circulate that Rose has a) lost his voice or b) been fired from the group.

Alice In Chains’ “Jar Of Flies” tops the U.S. album chart in 1994. It’s the first EP to hit #1 on the survey.

Celine Dion started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1994 with "The Power Of Love," the singers first US #1 hit.

In 1995, Van Halen, scored their first US #1 album with ‘Balance.’

Mariah Carey started a two-week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2000 with "Thank God I Found You."

In 2001 - The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Napster to stop its users from trading copyrighted material without charge.

In 2003, Former Doors drummer John Densmore took out 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." I agree.

During a press conference at West Hollywood's Whisky a Go Go club in 2007, Sting confirmed that The Police were getting back together. The band were set to kick off a world tour on May 28 in Vancouver, Canada, supported by Sting's son Joe Sumner's band, Fiction Plane.

In 2009, Limp Bizkit announced that they have reunited to tour and record an album, with all five original members. "We decided we were more disgusted and bored with the state of heavy popular music than we were with each other," reads a joint statement from singer Fred Durst and guitarist Wes Borland.

Also in 2009, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen landed in second and third place (behind Madonna) on Billboard's Moneymakers list, after raking in more than $157 million and $156 million, respectively, in ’08 music sales and tour revenue. The Police were #4 earning just under $110 million.