This Date in Rock Music History: February 8

1956:  Buddy Holly signed a recording contract with Decca Records.

1960:  The Special House Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight opened hearings on disc jockey payola.

    1960--One of the best times to be a teenager in history!

1960:  Bobby Rydell had a hot song as "Wild One" moved from 72 to 29.
1960:  Mark Dinning moved to #1 with "Teen Angel".
1964:  On their first full day in New York City, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (George had a sore throat) went for a walk around Central Park.  Over 400 female fans followed and extra police had to be brought in to control them.







1964:  People who weren't around at the time and take music for granted ask:  "Why were the Beatles so popular?"  A valid question--take notes.  On this day, the Beatles' first album in the U.S.--Meet the Beatles, moved from #92 to #3 on the Album chart in just its second week.  The #1 album at the time, typical of popular music at the time, was The Singing Nun by the Singing Nun.  It had ruled the chart for 10 straight weeks.  After the Beatles hit, your very rarely saw a #1 album that wasn't a rock and roll album or at least soft rock.  The Beatles weren't just popular.  They were so talented and so innovative that they changed music forever.  None of the acts we listen to today would even be possible were it not for the Beatles.  So you see, they weren't just a group that hit it big; they made rock the dominant form of music from 1964 through the present day.






                          The Marketts great instrumental...

1964:  The Beatles had the #1 song for a second week with "I Want To Hold Your Hand".  Lesley Gore was second with "You Don't Own Me" while the Marketts ("Out Of Limits" and the Rip Chords ("Hey Little Cobra") remained in their positions.  The rest of the Top 10:  Major Lance with "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um", the Trashmen had "Surfin' Bird", the Beatles' follow-up--"She Loves You", moved from 21 to 7 in its third week, Rick Nelson edged up with "For You", Dionne Warwick remained at #9 with "Anyone Who Had A Heart" and Bobby Vinton tumbled down with "There!  I've Said It Again". 












1965:  The Supremes released the single "Stop!  In the Name of Love".

1967:  Peter & Gordon ("A World Without Love") went their separate ways.
1969: Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood announced the formation of a new group. After bassist Rich Grech came aboard, the quartet would be known as Blind Faith.
1969:  Although we would come to know them better by dozens of great songs in the years to come, Three Dog Night first appeared on the radio and on the chart on this date with their first single--"Try A Little Tenderness".

1969:  Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band went to Rindge, New Hampshire to begin an intensive rehearsal schedule.

                The complete version of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"...

1969:  TCB by Diana Ross & the Supremes with the Temptations moved to #1 on the Album chart, temporarily knocking off The White Album by the Beatles after six weeks.  Wichita Lineman from Glen Campbell took third, with the super Greatest Hits album by the Association and another collaboration from Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations--Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, trailing.  The rest of the Top 10:  In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida from Iron Butterfly, The Second by Steppenwolf, Elvis Presley entered the Top 10 with Elvis, Young-Holt Unlimited had a great sound with Souful Strut, which moved from 24-9 and the self-titled Blood, Swet & Tears moved from 26-10 in just its second week.








1969:  The classic "Crimson And Clover" by Tommy James & the Shondells, remained at #1.  "Everyday People" from Sly & the Family Stone patienty waited behind while the Brooklyn Bridge remained steady with "Worst That Could Happen".  The Doors had another big hit with "Touch Me" and the Foundations were up to 5 with "Build Me Up Buttercup".  The rest of the Top 10:  The Bee Gees had their eighth career hit and second Top 10 song with "I Started A Joke", Marvin Gaye's #1 smash "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations were at 8 with "I'm Gonna' Make You Love Me", Booker T & the MG's with one of The Top 100 Instrumentals of the Rock Era*, "Hang 'Em High" and Tyrone Davis entered the Top 10 with "Can I Change My Mind".
1971:  Bob Dylan's documentary Eat the Document premiered at the Academy of Music in New York City.  Proceeds went towards ending strip mining in Pike County, Kentucky.







1973:  Max Yasgur, owner of the dairy farm in Bethel, New York that was the site of the famous Woodstock festival, died of a heart attack in Marathon, Florida at age 53.










1975:  A new British act that would go on to enjoy substantial success first appeared on the chart.  Queen debuted with their first single--"Killer Queen".
1975:  John Denver had the #1 Adult song with "Sweet Surrender".

1980:  David Bowie and his wife Angie were divorced after ten years of marriage.

1981:  R.E.M. recorded for the first time at Bombay Studios in Smyrna, Georgia.

1982:  Cher opened on Broadway in New York City in the play Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.

1986:  Billy Ocean rose to the #1 position in the U.K. with "When the Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)".

                                                              Mellencamp...

 1986:  Barbra Streisand owned the top album with The Broadway Album.  Promise by Sade was a solid #2, followed by the self-titled Heart and the amazing Scarecrow by John Cougar Mellencamp.
1986:  "That's What Friends Are For" from Dionne & Friends (Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & Dionne Warwick) was #1 for a third week on the R&B chart.









1986:  Sade scored a #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "The Sweetest Taboo".













1986:  ELO had a fast-rising song as "Calling America" moved from 91 to 69.













             "Kyrie Eleison", meaning Lord, have mercy...

1986:  Dionne & Friends registered a fourth week at #1 with "That's What Friends Are For".  Survivor had "Burning Heart" while Wham!  was #3 with "I'm Your Man".  Billy Ocean moved to #4 with "When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" and Whitney Houston had her third Top 10 of her career with "How Will I Know".  The rest of the Top 10:  newcomers Mr. Mister and "Kyrie", Paul McCartney moved to #7 with "Spies Like Us", Stevie Nicks was on her way down with "Talk To Me", James Brown's "Living In America" entered the Top 10 and Gloria Estefan & the Miami Sound Machine were at #10 with "Conga".











1988:  Billy Ocean was on a roll and he released the single "Get Outta' My Dreams, Get Into My Car".












1988:  INXS released the single "Devil Inside".  (Note:  some websites incorrectly list the release date as February 13, the day the song debuted on the chart.  Everyone repeat after me:  It is physically impossible for a song to be mailed to radio stations, added by radio stations to their playlists, reported by radio stations to the trade papers, and the charts printed and distributed by the trade papers all on the same day.)

1988:  The surviving members of the Who reunited for their 25th anniversary at the British Phonographic Industry Awards in London.

1990:  Del Shannon, who gave us one of The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era* in "Runaway", died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Santa Clarita, California.  
1992:  Jodeci had the new #1 on the R&B chart with "Stay".

               "Love is a Wonderful Thing"...one of five hits on Michael Bolton's new album...

1992:  Garth Brooks accomplished the rare feat of returning to #1 for a fourth time with the same album.  He did that on this date with Ropin' the Wind, and the cumulative count now reached 11 weeks at #1 for one of The Top 15 Albums of the Rock Era*.  He toppled Nevermind from Nirvana while Garth's previous album, No Fences, was incredibly moving back up to #3 after 73 weeks of release.  Dangerous from Michael Jackson was #4 while Too Legit To Quit by Hammer was at #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Achtung Baby from U2, Cooleyhighharmony, the solid album by Boyz II Men, Time, Love & Tenderness by Michael Bolton, Metallica with their self-titled debut and Diamonds and Pearls moved to #10 for Prince & the New Power Generation.
1993:  Tom Jones was a guest on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air on NBC-TV.
1994:  Some people just don't deserve any success.  Oasis were forced to cancel their first tour in foreign countries after being deported from Holland.  The group was involved in a drunken brawl on a ferry resulting in members of the band being arrested and locked away.
1997:  No Doubt ruled the Album chart for an eighth week with Tragic Kingdom.  Soundtracks from "Evita" and "Romeo & Juliet" were next, followed by Celine Dion's smash album Falling Into You.

1997:  Toni Braxton notched a 10th week at #1 with "Un-Break My Heart".

1999:  Universal Music, Warner Music, BMG, Sony Music and EMI introduced Project Madison, developed by IBM to allow fast, secure distribution of full-length, CD-quality albums on the Internet.
2009:  Chris Brown surrendered to police and was arrested for an attack on girlfriend Rihanna the night before following a pre-Grammys party. 

2000:  Stan Lee announced that he would create a comic book based on the Backstreet Boys.
2002:  Bob Wooler, resident disc jockey and person in charge of booking talent at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England in the early 60's, who booked the Beatles for many shows and introduced the group to their manager, Brian Epstein, died in Liverpool at age 76.  

2005:  Keith Knudsen, drummer of the Doobie Brothers, died of pneumonia at age 56 in Kentfield, California.  (Note:  some websites incorrectly list the place of death as San Francisco, California.  According to Bruce Cohn, longtime manager of the Doobie Brothers, as well as The Associated Press and the newspaper 'The Los Angeles Times', Cohn died in Kentfield.)  

 

2006:  U2 captured five Grammy awards including Album of the Year for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.  John Legend was honored as Best New Artist.











2006:  Kelly Clarkson won Grammys for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for "Since U (sic) Been Gone") and Best Pop Vocal Album (for Breakaway).












2009:  Robert Plant won five Grammy Awards for his collaboration with Alison Krauss, including Album of the Year (Raising Sand) and Record of the Year for "Please Read The Letter".  (Note:  many websites incorrectly report the date as February 9, the date that newspapers ran the story.  As you know, newspapers are printed the day following the news.  The Grammy Awards are telecast on Sunday nights, and in 2009, Sunday fell on February 8.)

 

 

 

2009:  Coldplay won the Grammy for Song of the Year with "Viva La Vida".  (See above note about false date shown for Grammy Awards on other websites.)
2009:  John Mayer won the Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance for "Gravity".

2009:  Ringo Starr earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  (Note:  many websites incorrectly report the date of the event--according to United Press International, Starr earned his star on February 8.)




 

 

Born This Day:

1932:  John Williams, acclaimed conductor and composer, was born in New York City.  (Note:  numerous places are listed as places of birth for John:  Queens, Flushing, New York City, Floral Park, and Long Island.  'MTV' lists his birthplace as Floral Park, and for once, they are right.  Floral Park is an incorporated village, formerly included as part of Queens, but it became incorporated in 1908, well before the birth of John Williams, and it is also included in the census.)
1936:  Larry Verne (the #1 "Mr. Custer" from 1960) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota; died October 8, 2013 in Sylmar, California from heart failure.
1943:  Creed Bratton (real name William Charles Schneider), guitarist of the Grass Roots, was born in Los Angeles.
1946:  Paul Wheatbread, drummer of Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, was born in San Diego, California.
1946:  Adolpho De La Para, drummer of Canned Heat, was born in Mexico City, Mexico.




1948:  Dan Seals of England Dan & John Ford Coley was born in McCarney, Texas; died March 25, 2009 of mantle cell lymphoma in Nashville, Tennessee.











1961:  Vince Neil, lead singer of Motley Crue, was born in Hollywood, California
1961:  Sam Llanas, singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist of the BoDeans ("Closer To Free" from 1993), was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

1971:  Will Turpin,bassist of Collective Soul, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska.
1977:  Dave "Phoenix" Ferrel, bassist of Linkin Park ("In The End" from 2002), was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The Top Love Songs of the Rock Era*: #80-71

Prepare to be wooed with ten more of the best romantic songs of the last 60 years:

 

 

 

 

#80:

"Pledging My Love"

Johnny Ace

This song has great lyrics, and were it more known, would probably rank higher.  Johnny Ace tells of the "desire to make his lover happy", and that he will "never part from her and her loving ways."

 

 

Forever my darling, our love will be true.

Always and forever, I'll love just you.

Just promise me darling, your love in return,

May this fire in my soul, dear, forever burn. 

My heart's at your command, dear,

To keep love and to hold.

Making you happy is my desire dear;
Keeping you is my goal.
 

I'll forever love you,

The rest of my days..

I'll never part from you

And your loving ways.
 

My heart's at your command, dear,

To keep love and to hold.

Making you happy is my desire, dear,

Loving you is my goal. 

I'll forever love you,

The rest of my days.

I'll never part from you

And your loving ways.

 

 

#79:

"Babe"

Styx

 

In this song, the protagonist is traveling out of town, and wants to reassure his lover that he loves her and will be "lonely without her".  Styx reached #1 with "Babe" in 1979.  

Babe, I'm leaving;
 I must be on my way.
 The time is drawing near...
 My train is going, I see it in your eyes,
 The love, the need, your tears.

 But I'll be lonely without you--
 And I'll need your love to see me through.
 Please believe me, my heart is in your hands,
 And I'll be missing you.

 You know it's you, Babe,
 Whenever I get weary and I've had enough,
 Feel like giving up...
 You know it's you, Babe,
 Giving me the courage and the strength I need,
 Please believe that it's true.
 Babe, I love you.

You know it's you, Babe,
 Whenever I get weary and I've had enough,
 Feel like giving up...
 You know it's you, Babe,
 Giving me the courage and the strength I need ,
Please believe that it's true.
 Babe, I love you.

Babe, I'm leaving,
 I'll say it once again .
Somehow try to smile.
 I know the feeling we're trying to forget,
 If only for a while.
 But I'll be lonely without you,
 And I'll need your love to see me through.
 Please believe me, my heart is in your hands,
And I'll be missing you.

 Babe, I love you.





 

 

 

#78:

"Stuck On You"

Lionel Richie

We have another traveler at #78, only this man is returning home.  He realizes that he is "stuck on her" and is "glad she stayed".

 

Stuck on you,
 I've got this feeling down deep in my soul,
 That I just can't lose.
 Guess, I'm on my way...

 Needed a friend,
 And the way I feel now, I guess I'll be with you till the end,
 Guess I'm on my way--
 Mighty glad you stayed.

 I'm stuck on you,
 Been a fool too long,
 guess It's time for me to come on home.
 Guess I'm on my way...

 So hard to see
 That a woman like you could wait
 Around for a man like me,
Guess I'm on my way--
 Mighty glad you stayed.


 Oh, I'm leaving on that midnight train,
 And I know just where I'm going.
 I've packed up my troubles and I've thrown them all away.
 Because this time little darlin', I'm coming home to stay.

 I'm stuck on you,
 I've got this feeling down deep in my soul
 that I just can't lose.
 Guess I'm on my way...

 Needed a friend,
 And the way I feel now, I guess I'll be with you till the end.
 Guess I'm on my way,
 I'm mighty glad you stayed .

 

 

#77:

"You've Made Me So Very Happy"

Blood, Sweat & Tears

 

The man in this song has been unlucky in love, but hit the jackpot this time.  He expresses that she "touched his very soul", and "thanks her every day of his life" for what she means to him.   

I lost at love before,
Got mad and closed the door.
But you said child, just once more...

I chose you for the one,
Now we're havin' so much fun.
You treated me so kind;
I'm about to lose my mind!

You made me so very happy,
I'm so glad you
Came into my life.

The others were untrue,
But when it came to lovin' you,
I'd spend my whole life with you.

'Cause you came and you took control,
You touch my very soul.
You always show me that
Lovin' you is where it's at.

You made me so very happy,
I'm so glad you
Came into my life .

Thank you, baby!

I love you so much, you see,
You're even in my dreams.
I can hear you!
Baby, I can hear you calling me.
I'm so in love with you--
All I ever want to do is
Thank you baby, thank you baby!

You made me so very happy,
I'm so glad you
Came into my life.

You made me so very happy.
You made me so, so very happy.
I'm so glad you
Came into my life.

Mmmm, I want to thank you, girl.
Every day of my life,
I wanna' thank you.
You made me so very happy .
Oh, I wanna spend my life thanking you.
Thank you baby, thank you baby.
Thank you baby thank you baby...

 

 

#76:

"A Moment Like This"

Kelly Clarkson

 

The woman in this song believes she and her lover are meant for each other.  She recognizes that a love like this is hard to find, and she wants "the dream to last forever."

 

 What if I told you
It was all meant to be?
Would you believe me?
Would you agree?
It's almost that feelin'
That we've met before.
So tell me that you don't think I'm crazy
When I tell you love has come and now...

A moment like this...
Some people wait a lifetime,
For a moment like this.
Some people search forever
For that one special kiss.
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me!
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this.

Everything changes,
But beauty remains.
Something so tender,
I can't explain,
Well I may be dreamin',
But 'till I awake,
Can we make this dream last forever?
And I'll cherish all the love we share...

For a moment like this,
Some people wait a lifetime.
For a moment like this,
Some people search forever
For that one special kiss.
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me!
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this.

Could this be the greatest love of all?
I wanna' know that you will catch me when I fall.
So let me tell you this...
Some people wait a lifetime...

For a moment like this.
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this.
Some people search forever
For that one special kiss.
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me!
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this.

Oh, like this, oh, I can't believe it's happening to me...

Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this.

Oh, like this. 

 

 

#75:

"Tonight I Celebrate My Love"

Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack

 

The two lovers here are about to celebrate an intimate night in which "they will leave the world behind them".  They will discover "how friends turn into lovers".     

 

Tonight, I celebrate my love for you.
It seems the natural thing to do.
Tonight, no one's gonna find us;
We'll leave the world behind us.
When I make love to you...

Tonight, I celebrate my love for you,
And hope that deep inside, you'll feel it too.
Tonight, our spirits will be climbing
To a sky filled up with diamonds.
When I make love to you, tonight...

Tonight, I celebrate my love for you,
And that midnight sun is gonna' come shining through.
Tonight, there'll be no distance between us,
What I want most to do is to get close to you, tonight.

Tonight, I celebrate my love for you,
And soon this old world will seem brand new.
Tonight, we will both discover
How friends turn into lovers.
When I make love to you...

Tonight, I celebrate my love for you,
And the midnight sun is gonna come shining through.
Tonight, there'll be no distance between us.
What I want most to do is to get close to you.

Tonight, I celebrate my love for you.
Tonight...

 

 

 

 

#74:

"Take My Breath Away"

Berlin

The protagonist her tells about the feeling she has with her man.  She is captivated by him, and he takes her breath away every time she is with him.  The two lovers "turn and return to some secret place inside". 

 

Watching every motion
In my foolish lover's game,
On this endless ocean,
 Finally, lovers know no shame.

Turning and returning
To some secret place inside ,
Watching in slow motion,
As you turn around and say...

 Take my breath away.
Take my breath away.
 Watching, I keep waiting,
Still anticipating love,
Never hesitating,
To become the fated ones.
Turning and returning,
To some secret place to find...

 Watching in slow motion,
 As you turn to me and say ...
My love,
 Take my breath away.

 Through the hourglass
 I saw you.
 In time you slipped away...
 When the mirror crashed,
 I called you,
 And turned to hear you say,
 If only for today,
 I am unafraid .
Take my breath away.
 Take my breath away .

Watching every motion
 In this foolish lover's game,
 Haunted by the notion,
Somewhere there's a love in flames.
 Turning and returning,
To some secret place inside,
Watching in slow motion,
As you turn my way and say,
 Take my breath away.
Take my breath away.

#73:

"Baby I'm-A-Want You"
Bread

This man had no direction before he met his lover and says "she is the only one he cares enough to hurt about".  She has been "a guiding light" in tough times, and he "can't live without her lovin' and affection".

Baby I'm-a want you,
Baby I'm-a need you.
You're the only one I care enough to hurt about.
Maybe I'm-a crazy,
But I just can't live without
your lovin' and affection--
Givin' me direction.

 Like a guiding light to help me through a darkest hour,
Lately I'm a-prayin',
That you'll always be a-stayin' beside me.

Used to be, my life was just emotions passing by,
Feeling all the while and never really knowing why.

Lately I'm a-prayin',
That you'll always be a-stayin' beside me.

Used to be, my life was just emotions passing by,
Then you came along and made me laugh and made me cry,
You taught me why.

Baby I'm-a want you,
Baby I'm-a need you.

Oh, it took so long to find you, baby.
Baby I'm-a want you,
Baby I'm-a need you .





 

 

 

 

 

#72:

"The Closer I Get To You"

Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

 

The more this woman gets to know her man, the more she realizes that "his love has captured her".  They started out as friends, but both people realized that their feelings for each other were special.   

 

 

 

 The closer I get to you,
The more you make me see.
By giving me all you've got,
Your love has captured me.

Over and over again,
I try to tell myself that we
Could never be more than friends.
And all the while inside,
I knew it was real.

The way you make me feel,
Lying here next to you,
Time just seems to fly.
Needing you more and more...
Let's give love a try.

Sweeter and sweeter love grows,
And heaven's there for those
Who fool the tricks of time.
With hearts in love will find
True love
In a special way.
       
The closer I get to you,
The more you make me see,
By giving me what you've got.
Your love has captured me!

Over and over again,
I try to tell myself that we
Could never be more than friends.
And all the while inside,
I knew this was real (got to be real),
The way you make me feel (you know).

My baby, my baby, my baby, my love,
Come a little closer so we can see into the eyes of love.
Just a little a closer, let me speak to you.
I wanna tell you something.

Here I am-- I just want you to come closer,
Come a little closer let me whisper in your ear.
‘Cause I wanna tell you something...

Move a little a little closer, we can say for real
The way we feel about each other’s lovin’…

#71:

"When I Need You"
Leo Sayer

Of all the types of romantic relationships, long distance loving is the toughest (God bless the truckers, and the people who have to travel a lot!)  But the protagonist in this song points out that he won't be traveling forever, and in the meantime, he just closes his eyes and "he is with her".   

When I need you,
I just close my eyes and I'm with you.
And all that I so wanna' give you,
It's only a heartbeat away.

When I need love,
I hold out my hands and I touch love.
I never knew there was so much love,
Keeping me warm night and day.
Miles and miles of empty space in between us,
The telephone can't take the place of your smile.
But you know I won't be travelin' forever,
It's cold out, but hold out, and do I like I do.

When I need you,
I just close my eyes and I'm with you.
And all that I so wanna give you, babe,
It's only a heartbeat away.
It's not easy when the road is your driver.
Honey, that's a heavy load that we bear.
But you know I won't be traveling a lifetime,
It's cold out, but hold out, and do like I do.

Oh, I need you!

[Instrumental Interlude]

When I need love,
I hold out my hands and I touch love.
I never knew there was so much love
Keeping me warm night and day.

When I need you,
I just close my eyes.
And you're right here by my side,
Keeping me warm night and day.
I just hold out my hands,
I just hold out my hand,
And I'm with you darlin'.
Yes, I'm with you darlin'.
All I wanna give you
It's only a heartbeat away.

Oh, I need you darling...

This Date in Rock Music History: February 7

1959:  The funeral for Buddy Holly was held at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas.  Over 1,000 mourners attended.










1959:  Richie Valens was laid to rest at the San Fernando Mission cemetery in San Fernando, California.











1959:  Lloyd Price moved to #1 with "Stagger Lee", jumping over "16 Candles" by the Crests and "Donna" from Ritchie Valens, who died in the tragic plane crash of February 3.
















1961:  Elvis Presley released the single "Surrender".
1963:  The Beatles' first single--"Please Please Me" was released in the United States on Vee Jay Records, although it would be a year until the group was promoted properly.











1963:  Paul & Paula had the new #1 song with "Hey Paula".  The Rooftop Singers fell from their perch with "Walk Right In" and Bobby Vee peaked at #3 with "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes".  Johnny Thunder traveled up a spot with "Loop De Loop" while the great new Drifters song "Up On The Roof" was fifth.  The rest of the Top 10:  the 4 Seasons with their third single, and the follow-up to the #1 "Sherry"--"Walk Like A Man", which moved from 15-6, Dion climbed up five with "Ruby Baby", the Miracles entered the Top 10 with "You've Really Got A Hold On Me", the Cascades stormed up from 19 to 8 with the great song "Rhythm Of The Rain" and Steve Lawrence's big hit "Go Away Little Girl" fell to #10.







1964:  The Beatles arrived in New York City at Kennedy Airport on Pan Am Flight 101 for their first tour of the United States.  A crowd of 5,000 screaming fans that caused a riotous scene were there to greet them.
1967:  Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb returned to England after living in Australia for nine years.

1967:  A documentary about the UFO Club and its house band, Pink Floyd, was shown on BBC-TV.
1967:  Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees appeared on Top of the Pops on BBC-TV.
1969:  The Who recorded "Pinball Wizard" at Morgan Studios in London.

1969:  This Is Tom Jones premiered as a regular series on ABC-TV.  The Moody Blues and Mary Hopkins were guests on the show.  (Note:  some websites incorrectly state that the show premiered on this date, when the correct terminology is that it began as a regular series on this date.  The show premiered on January 9, according to 'TV.com' and other credible sources.)
1969:  Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors, continued to have issues as he was arrested for drunk driving and driving without a license in Los Angeles.
1970:  Ian Anderson, flutist and vocalist with Jethro Tull, married Jennie Franks.
1970:  Led Zeppelin II was the #1 album in the U.K.

1970:  Dionne Warwick attained the #1 song on the Adult chart with "I'll Never Fall In Love Again".  

1970:  The Sly & the Family Stone song "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" was #1 on the R&B chart.












1970:  The Shocking Blue had one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*, and on this date it reached #1.  The Jackson 5 slipped with "I Want You Back" while former #1 B.J. Thomas was still a solid 3 with "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head".  Sly & the Family Stone moved from 8 to 4 with the double-sided "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)"/"Everybody Is A Star".
1975:  The Jackson 5 were at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
1976:  Neil Sedaka had the new #1 adult song with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do".
1976:  The Captain & Tennille were red-hot as their new single "Lonely Night (Angel Face)" moved from 50 to 25.




1976:  Paul Simon made one of the biggest leaps to #1 (10-1) of the Rock Era with "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover".  Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby" was runner-up, followed by Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing" and former #1 "I Write The Songs" from Barry Manilow.  Earth, Wind & Fire reached #5 with "Sing A Song" and previous #1 "Love Rollercoaster" slid down for the Ohio Players.  The rest of the Top 10:  "Times Of Your Life", the 46th career hit and final Top 10 for Paul Anka, Rhythm Heritage was on the move (17-8) with "Theme From 'S.W.A.T.'", former #1 "Convoy" by C.W. McCall and Neil Sedaka's slower version of his 1962 hit "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" entered the Top 10.

1979:  The Clash began their first tour of the United States at the Berkeley Community Center in Berkeley, California.  (Note:  some websites report that their first U.S. gig was in New York City, when in fact that show was their sixth in the United States.)

1979:  Stephen Stills became the first major label American artist to record on digital equipment at the famous Record Plant Studio in Los Angeles.

1980:  Pink Floyd played the first of several concerts to promote the album The Wall at the Los Angeles Sport Arena.  The show featured an actual wall built between the band and the audience during the first half of the concert.  The gig was delayed, however, when fireworks set fire to the stage curtains.







1981:  This artist, who was a teenage prodigy when he joined the Spencer Davis Group, first appeared on the chart as a solo artist.  He put out some great music, (and it was so positive!) over the next several years.  Steve Winwood debuted on the chart with his first solo release--"While You See A Chance".
1981:  "Woman" by the late John Lennon was the #1 song in the U.K.









     Pat's remake of the Kate Bush song "Wuthering Heights"...

1981:  Double Fantasy by John Lennon remained #1 on the Album chart for the seventh week.  Pat Benatar's Crimes of Passion remained a solid second while Neil Diamond moved up with the Soundtrack to "The Jazz Singer".  Kenny Rogers was as hot as anyone out there and his Greatest Hits was #4.  The rest of the Top 10:  The Police with Zenyatta Mondatta, AC/DC remained at #6 with Back In Black; meanwhile, after 10 years of toiling on the circuit, REO Speedwagon's ship had finally come in as Hi Infidelity moved from 12 to 7, Stevie Wonder's Hotter Than July slipped to #8, Blondie and Autoamerican while Styx drove up from 18-10 with Paradise Theater.




 

1981:  ABBA took over at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with their great song "The Winner Takes It All".
1981:  There's nothing like your first #1 song and on this date Kool & the Gang was so awarded with "Celebration".












1985:  Matt Monro ("Walk Away" from 1964) died of liver cancer at age 54 at the Cromwell Hospital in Ealing, London.

1987:  "Ballerina Girl" by Lionel Richie was the new #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.  

1987:  Madonna scored her fifth #1 with "Open Your Heart", knocking off "At This Moment" by Billy Vera & the Beaters.  From behind, came the fast-charging Bon Jovi with "Livin' On A Prayer".  







      
                      The Bangles' great song "Following"...

1987:  Bon Jovi logged their fifth week at #1 on the Album chart with Slippery When Wet.  Different Light by the Bangles was still #2 after 54 weeks of release while Night Songs from Cinderella was #3.
1989:  Billy Randall, state representative of Georgia, introduced a bill to make "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard the state's official rock song.

1994:  Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon was thrown out of the ceremony for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles for loud and disruptive behavior and charged with battery, assault and resisting arrest.

1995:  In today's edition of Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music, Tupac Shakur was sentenced to up to 4 1/2 years in jail for sexual abuse.  Loser.
1999:  Blondie scored their sixth #1 song in the U.K. with "Maria".
2009:  Chris Brown was under police investigation over claims that he attacked girlfriend Rihanna following a pre-Grammys party.  (Note:  some websites report that Brown was being investigated on February 16, when in fact the police responded Saturday night, February 7, according to Reuters news agency.  When the police arrived, Brown had left, but he surrendered by walking into a police station the next morning and was arrested.      

2000:  Dave Peverett of Savoy Brown and the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Foghat, died of kidney cancer in Orlando, Florida at age 57.

2006:  By now, the evidence was obvious that Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music and in today's second edition, Don P of Trillville was arrested for raping a 16-year-old girl in suburban Atlanta, Georgia.
2008:  The Rolling Stones documentary Shine a Light was shown at the Berlin Film Festival.
2010:  The Who performed at halftime of Super Bowl  XLIV at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Born This Day:

1934:  King Curtis (Curtis Ousley), saxophone player in New Orleans and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of fame, was born in Fort Worth, Texas; stabbed to death on the front steps of his home in New York City on August 13, 1971.  









1946:  Sammy Johns ("Chevy Van" from 1975) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina; died January 4, 2013 in Gastonia, North Carolina.
1948:  Jimmy Greenspoon, organist of Three Dog Night, who also played with Linda Ronstadt, the Beach Boys, America, Donovan, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Beck, and Leon Russell, to name a few, was born in Los Angeles; died March 11, 2015 of cancer in North Potomac, Maryland.
1949:  Alan Lancaster, founding member and bassist of Status Quo ("Pictures Of Matchstick Men"), was born in Peckham, London.
1949:  Stony Browder, Jr. of Kid Creole & the Coconuts; died October 6, 2001 in the Bronx, New York.
1959:  Brian Travers, saxophonist of UB40, was born in Birmingham, England.
1960:  Steve Bronski, founding member of Bronski Beat ("Smalltown Boy" from 1984), was born in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Note:  some websites show he was born in Scunthorpe, England, but according to Sharon Davis, in her book '80's Chart-Toppers:  Every Chart-Topper Tells a Story', Bronsky was bonr in Glasgow.)

1962:  Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1962:  David Bryan (real name David Rashbaum), keyboardist for Bon Jovi, was born in Edison, New Jersey.  (Note:  some websites claim he was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and  'Rolling Stone' , 'MTV', and 'Allmusic.com' all got it wrong, saying he was born in Sayreville, NJ.  As usual, the lazy journalism of the above mentioned sites did not bother checking the facts--according to David Bryan's official websites, he was born in Edison.) 
1968:  Sully Erna, guitarist and vocalist of Godsmack, was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1975:  Wes Borland, guitarist of Limp Bizkit, was born in Richmond, Virginia.  (Note:  some websites show his birthplace as Nashville, Tennessee, but according to the book 'Limp Bizit' by Justin Wilson, Borland was born in Richmond, then moved to Nashville.)