This Date In Music History-February 28

Birthdays:

Marty Sanders - Jay and the Americans (1941)

Joe South - singer/songwriter, ("Games People Play"). Worked with Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin. (1942)

Ronnie Rosman - Tommy James & The Shondells (1945)

Eddie Manion - Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1952)

Cindy Wilson - B-52's (1957)

Phil Gould - Level 42 (1957)

Ian Stanley - Tears For Fears (1957)

Ian Brown - Stone Roses (1966)

Pat Monahan -Train (1969)


They Are Missed:

In 1968, Frankie Lymon was found dead at his mother's house in New York of a suspected drug overdose, he was 25.

Born today in 1942, Brian Jones, guitar, Rolling Stones. Jones died on July 3, 1969 after drowning in his swimming pool under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Singer/songwriter Bobby Bloom shot himself dead in the head at his Hollywood apartment in 1974 (age 28). Bloom had the 1970 #8 hit "Montego Bay."

David Byron, singer with Uriah Heep died from an epileptic fit and liver disease in 1985 (age 38). Had a hit with "Easy Livin" from the 1972 album Demons and Wizards.

Chris Curtis, one-time Roundabout drummer, passed away in 2005. After Curtis left, Roundabout morphed into Deep Purple. Curtis is better known as the drummer for the British Invasion group, The Searchers ("Needles and Pins").

Mike Smith, lead singer with the Dave Clark Five, died of pneumonia in 2008.




History:

The Bobbettes recorded "Mr. Lee" in 1957.

The Yardbirds played at the Rhythm and Blues Festival at The Town Hall, Birmingham, England in 1964.

In 1966, police were called after over a 100 music fans barricaded themselves inside Liverpool's Cavern Club to protest at the clubs closer. The club had run up debts of over $10,000.

In 1970, in an interview with the New Musical Express, Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green talked about his plans to give all his money away. The following year Green confronted his accountant with a gun after he sent him an unwanted royalty check. The guitarist went to jail briefly before being transferred to an asylum and was committed to a mental hospital in 1973. He re- launched his career in the 90's.

Led Zeppelin played a gig in Copenhagen as The Nobs in 1970 after Eva Von Zeppelin a relative of the airship designer threatened to sue if the family name was used in Denmark.

Simon and Garfunkel started a six-week run at the top of the US singles chart in 1970 with "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which was also #1 in the UK in March the same year.



Rhythm Heritage went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1976 with "Theme From SWAT."

In 1977, Ray Charles was attacked by a member of his audience who tried to strangle him with a rope.

Eddie Rabbitt started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with "I Love A Rainy Night."

In 1984, Michael Jackson won a record seven Grammy awards including: Album of the year for 'Thriller'; Record of the year and Best rock vocal performance for "Beat It," Best pop vocal performance, Best R&B performance and Best R&B song for "Billie Jean," and Best Recording For Children for E.T The Extra Terrestrial. The Police nab a couple Grammys for “Every Breath You Take” (Best Pop Performance and Song of the Year). In addition, they nail Best Rock Performance (“Synchronicity”). Also, Duran Duran are awarded a pair of video related trophies for “Girls On Film/ Hungry Like The Wolf” and “Duran Duran.”

In 1986, George Michael announced that Wham! would officially split during the summer.

In 1994, Eric Clapton played his 100th performance at London's Royal Albert Hall, in aid of the 'Children In Crisis', charity.

Phil Collins left Genesis in 1996.

Also in 1996 - The original members of Kiss appeared at the Grammy Awards. It was the first time in 17 years that the band had appeared in full make-up and costumes.

1996 Grammy award winners included Alanis Morissette who won album of the year for 'Jagged Little Pill' best female rock vocal & best song for "You Oughta Know," Nirvana's 'Unplugged' won best alternative album and Coolio best rap performance with "Gangsta's Paradise." Hootie & The Blowfish win Best New Artist. Meanwhile, the Allman Brothers Band’s “Jessica” earns the Best Rock Instrumental trophy.

In 1997, Death Row Records boss Marion 'Suge' Knight was sentenced to nine years in prison for violating his probation for a 1995 assault conviction. Under US law, Knight would not be allowed to run Death Row Records while in prison.

Celine Dion started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1998 with "My Heart Will Go On."

In 2008, Boy George pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning a male escort by chaining him to a wall. The singer and DJ was also accused of assaulting Audun Carlsen during the alleged incident on April 28, 2007. He was released on bail until a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in November.

The Arctic Monkeys were named the Best British Band and The Killers are the Best International Band at the NME Awards in London in 2008.

Singer Rome makes his debut as Sublime’s frontman at a show in Sparks, NV in 2009. The group hadn't performed since the ‘96 drug-overdose death of original frontman Bradley Nowell.