This Date in Rock Music History: July 26

1960:  Sam Cooke released the single "Chain Gang".












1961:  Barry Mann released the single "Who Put The Bomp" (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp).














1961:  Bobby Vee released "Take Good Care Of My Baby".
1962:  The Beatles performed at Cambridge Hall in Southport, Lancashire, England.
1962:  Frank Ifield had the top song in the U.K. with "I Remember You".
1963:  Bob Dylan and Joan Baez performed together at the Newport Folk Festival, and Peter, Paul and Mary also helped usher in the three-day event.  (Note:  Some websites report that the two performed together for the first time at Newport.  Dylan and Baez did take the stage together at Newport, but it wasn't the first time they performed together.  They first played together at the Monterey Folk Festival in California on May 18, according to the book 'Life on the Tracks:  Bob Dylan's Songs' by Guido Bieri.)















1966:  The Monkees recorded "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California.











1966:  The Temptations were in concert at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco.
1968:  Jeannie C. Riley recorded "Harper Valley P.T.A.".
1968:  The Jackson 5 signed a one-year recording contract with Motown Records.
1968:  Quicksilver Messenger Service played for the first of three shows at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco.
1968:  Paul McCartney played the completed version of "Hey Jude" to John Lennon for the first time.  (Note:  many websites mistakenly say that McCartney and Lennon finished writing the song on this date.  Lennon did not play any part in the writing of "Hey Jude", other than to convince McCartney to keep the line "the movement you need is on your shoulder", something Lennon was clear about in the book 'All We Are Saying' by David Sheff.)
1969:  Elvis Presley performed live for the first time in eight years at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
1969:  The Rolling Stones were going to release the album Beggar's Banquet, but their label, Decca Records, pulled the release because of an offensive cover.  You gotta' watch those Stones every step of the way. 
1969:  Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. of the 5th Dimension were married.
1969: The Chicago Transit Authority, Santana, the Guess Who, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, It's A Beautiful Day, Lonnie Mack, and the Ike and Tina Revue performed on the second day of the Seattle Pop Festival at Gold Creek Park in Woodinville, Washington.

1969:  "Honky Tonk Women" by the Rolling Stones exploded up the chart from #79 to #28, one of the biggest moves in the Rock Era.
1969:  Henry Mancini's "Love Theme From 'Romeo & Juliet'" was #1 for the eighth straight week on the Adult chart.
1970:  Jimi Hendrix performed in his hometown of Seattle, Washington for the last time at Sicks Stadium.









1971:  Aretha Franklin released the single "Spanish Harlem".
1971:  Lenny Hart, ex-manager of the Grateful Dead, was arrested in San Diego for embezzling $155,000 from the group.  (Note:  several websites incorrectly say Hart was arrested September 2, and several say that Hart embezzled $70,000.  A private detective found Hart on July 26 baptizing people in San Diego under the name "Reverend Lenny B. Hart" and Hart was arrested, and the total of the embezzlement was $155,000, according to the book 'A Long Strange Trip:  The Inside History of the Grateful Dead' by Dennis McNally.)

1974:  The Eagles were in concert at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
1974:  Elsewhere in Boston, the first Beatles convention was held.
1975:  Olivia Newton-John remained at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for a third week with "Please Mr. Please".










                                                                              10cc had the #2 song...

1975:  "The Hustle" by Van McCoy moved to #1 with 10cc's "I'm Not In Love" close behind.  The Eagles were up to #3 with "One Of These Nights, Olivia Newton-John had a big hit with "Please Mr. Please" while Wings' former #1 "Listen To What the Man Said" slipped to 5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Frankie Valli's "Swearin' To God", the Bee Gees had their 22nd career hit with "Jive Talkin'", Elton John moved from 15-8 with "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", Melissa Manchester had her first hit with "Midnight Blue" and Gwen McCrae was still at 10 with "Rockin' Chair".  








1975:  The Eagles moved into the #1 slot on the Album chart with One of These Nights.  Venus and Mars by Wings had to take a back seat and the Captain & Tennille moved up to #3 with Love Will Keep Us Together.  Elton John's album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was #4.
1976:  Three Dog Night performed for the last time at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles before splitting up.
1977:  Robert Plant's five-year-old son Karac died of a virus at their home in England.
1980:  April Wine, the Scorpions, Rainbow and Judas Priest headlined the Monsters of Rock Festival in Donington Park, England.
1980:  Odyssey had the #1 song in the U.K. with "Use It Up And Wear It Out".
1984:  The movie Purple Rain starring Prince premiered at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.












1986:  Peter Gabriel scored a #1 with "Sledgehammer", taking over from, ironically enough, Gabriel's former group, Genesis ("Invisible Touch").  Kenny Loggins moved to challenge with "Danger Zone", Janet Jackson was at 4 with "Nasty" and Peter Cetera saw "Glory Of Love" move up to #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Madonna moved from 12-6 with "Papa Don't Preach", Rod Stewart's "Love Touch" was at Song #7, Belinda Carlisle moved into the Top 10 with "Mad About You", Simply Red were on their way down with the former #1 "Holding Back The Years" and Billy Joel's "Modern Woman" was at #10.  










1986:  The Soundtrack to "Top Gun" was #1 on the Album chart with Peter Gabriel's So grabbing the runner-up position.  Control from Janet Jackson was third, Genesis moved up with Invisible Touch and Patti LaBelle fell from the top with Winner in You.  The rest of the Top 10:  Love Zone from Billy Ocean, Whitney Houston's self-titled album, Like a Rock from Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Madonna jumped up from 29 to 9 with True Blue and the Moody Blues were at 10 with The Other Side of Life.
1990:  Brent Mydland of the Grateful Dead died from drugs in Lafayette, California at age 37.
1992:  Paul Stanley of KISS married Pamela Bowen.








1992:  Mary Wells (#1 song "My Guy" from 1964) died of throat cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 49.














1994:  Boyz II Men released the single "I'll Make Love To You".
2000:  Oasis was forced off stage at the Paleo Festival in Switzerland after being hit with bottles and cans.
2001:  Sir Paul McCartney became engaged to Heather Mills.
2002:  The movie Country Bears starring Don Henley premiered at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, California.  
2002:  Mariah Carey checked into a New York hospital for "extreme exhaustion" shortly after midnight.  Bodyguards had rushed to her suite at the TriBeCa Grand Hotel in Manhattan, New York after hearing loud crashing noises.  Carey had broken down into hysterics and had intentionally broken scores of dishes and glasses in the kitchenette.  Carey suffered several cuts on her body from the outburst.  She canceled all public appearances but her record company denied that she had tried to commit suicide.    (Note:  several websites report the outburst occurred on July 27, but it was on July 25, according to ABC News, CBS News, and numerous other credible sources.) 
2003:  Nicko McBrain, drummer of Iron Maiden, was arrested outside of Wantagh, New York after running over a parking attendant.
2003:  Mick Jagger celebrated his 60th birthday at a private party in Prague, Czech Republic.
2006:  The final edition of Top of the Pops was recorded at BBC Television Centre in London.  The show was co-hosted by Sir Jimmy Savile, the first presenter of the show.  The Rolling Stones, who were the first band to appear on the show in 1964 performed, as did Madonna, Beyonce, the Spice Girls, Wham and Robbie Williams.
2006:  The Rex acoustic guitar that helped Paul McCartney earn a spot in the band the Quarrymen was sold for 330,000 pounds at an auction at Abbey Road Studios in London.
2008:  Paul Anka married Anna Yeager on the island of Sardinia.
2010:  Al Goodman, who was a member of both the Moments ("Love On A Two-Way Street" from 1970) and Ray, Goodman & Brown ("Special Lady" from 1980) died of a heart attack after undergoing surgery in Englewood, New Jersey.  He was 67.
2013:  J.J. Cale, singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer, whose songs were recorded by artists such as Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kansas, died of a heart attack in La Jolla, California at the age of 74.
2013:  Mike Shipley, producer and mixer for Foreigner, Queen, the Cars, Kelly Clarkson, AC/DC, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Jefferson Airplane, Def Leppard, Blondie, Van Halen, Michael Bolton, Green Day, Shania Twain, Cheap Trick, Faith Hill, Kim Carnes, Nickelback, Mr. Mister, the Clash, Meat Loaf, the Barenaked Ladies, Keith Urban, Winger, Devo, Berlin, Thomas Dolby, A Flock of Seagulls, and the Corrs, died of an apparent suicide in Studio City, California at age 56.


Born This Day:
1938:  Darlene Love of the Crystals and also Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans ("Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah") was born in Los Angeles.
1941:  Bobby Hebb ("Sunny" from 1966) was born in Nashville, Tennessee; died August 3, 2010 of lung cancer in Nashville.
1941:  Brenton Wood ("Gimme Little Sign" from 1967) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.

1943:  Mick Jagger was born in Dartford, Kent, England.
1943:  Dobie Gray ("Drift Away" from 1973) was born in Simonton, Texas; died December 6, 2011 of cancer in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Note:  some websites report that Gray was born in Brookshire, Texas.  According to the newspaper 'The Los Angeles Times', he was born in Simonton.)









1949:  Roger Taylor, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of Queen, known as one of the best drummers in the Rock Era, was born in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England.
1961:  Andy Connell of Swing Out Sister was born in Manchester, Lancashire, England.

1961:  Gary Cherone, lead singer of Extreme ("More Than Words") and later briefly with Van Halen, was born in Malden, Massachusetts.

1963:  Scott Francis Crago, session drummer for the Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Bryan Adams, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and Chris Isaac
1967:  Headliner (real name Timothy Barnwell) of Arrested Development 
1980:  Dave Baksch, singer and lead guitarist of Sum 41 and now a producer and leader of Brown Brigade, was born in Ajax, Ontario, Canada.

Calendar* Correction: Prince Divorce from Manuela Testollini Nelson

Many websites incorrectly say that Manuela Testolini  Nelson filed for divorce from Prince on July 28, 2006.    Although the news was kept quiet, and many media outlets did not learn of the news until July 26 or July 28, Nelson filed for divorce on May 24 in Minnesota's Hennepin County District Court, according to the newspaper USA Today.   

Calendar* Correction: Release of Whitney Houston's "Didn't We Almost Have It All"

Some websites naively say that Whitney Houston released the single "Didn't We Almost Have It All" on August 13, 1987.  The song debuted on the Singles chart on August 1.  It is physically impossible a song not released as a single yet to be included on the Singles chart.  Houston released the single July 27, 1987.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 25

1960:  "Walk - Don't Run", one of The Top 100 Instrumentals of the Rock Era* from the Ventures, moved from 88 to 39 on this date.

1960:  Brenda Lee continued to hold on to #1 with "I'm Sorry".
1962:  The Beatles performed two shows at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England, then performed at the Cabaret Club (28 Duke Street) later in the evening.  It was the group's only show at the Cabaret Club, which has since been demolished.
1964:  The Beatles reached #1 on the U.K. Album chart with A Hard Day's Night.
1964:  The Beatles moved from #12 to #1 in their second week with the album A Hard Day's Night.
1964:  The great song "The Girl From Ipanema" by Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto remained the top song on the Easy Listening chart.







1964:  "Rag Doll" by the 4 Seasons was #1 for a second week.  "A Hard Day's Night" by the Beatles moved up from #21 to #2.  The Beach Boys' former #1 "I Get Around" came in third, followed by "Memphis" from Johnny Rivers and "The Girl From Ipanema" by Getz and Gilberto.  The rest of the Top 10:  Jan & Dean with "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena", the Dave Clark Five slid down with "Can't You See That She's Mine", "Dang Me" from Roger Miller, Dusty Springfield posted her first Top 10 song with "Wishin' And Hopin'" and the Impressions remained at 10 with "Keep On Pushing".

1965:  Bob Dylan shocked fans at the Newport Jazz Festival when he appeared with an electric guitar.  It was the first time he had performed with other than an acoustic guitar.









1966:  The Left Banke released the single "Walk Away Renee".
1966:  The Monkees recorded "Last Train To Clarksville".














1966:  The Supremes released the single "You Can't Hurry Love".















1966:  Donovan released the single "Sunshine Superman".













 
1966:  Los Bravos released the single "Black Is Black".
1966:  The Rolling Stones played their last concert with Brian Jones.  Jones would later quit the group because of "musical differences". 
1968:  The Beatles began recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with just a solo version by George Harrison backed by his acoustic guitar and an organ part towards the end.
1969: Santana, the Guess Who, the Byrds, the Youngbloods, Ten Years After, Bo Diddley, It's A Beautiful Day, and the Flying Burrito Brothers performed on the opening day of the Seattle Pop Festival at Gold Creek Park in Woodinville, Washington.
1969:  The Doors played at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California.  (Note:  the Cow Palace is often incorrectly shown as being in San Francisco.  Although it is close to the city border, it is located in Daly City.)
1969:  Led Zeppelin, the First Edition, and Pacific Gas & Electric performed on the opening day of the Midwest Rock Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1969:  Neil Young performed with Crosby, Stills and Nash for the first time at Fillmore East in New York City.
1970:  Mungo Jerry had one of the hottest songs in the land with "In The Summertime".  It moved up from 68 to 32 on this date.
1970:  The Jackson 5 wrapped up six weeks at #1 on the R&B chart with their first single "The Love You Save".
1970:  "Close To You" by the Carpenters was #1 for a third straight week on the Easy Listening chart.





 
                                                           Freda Payne had a Top Five song...


1970:  The Carpenters would soon become household names as "Close To You" first entered the #1 position on this date.  Three Dog Night was next with "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)".  Freda Payne's "Band Of Gold" moved up to #3, the Jackson 5 had "The Love You Save" and Bread was up from 10-5 with their first single "Make It With You".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Ball Of Confusion" from the Temptations, Blues Image was at #7 with "Ride Captain Ride", the Five Stairsteps remained on the eighth step with "O-o-h Child", Stevie Wonder placed his 23rd hit--"Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" at #9 and Melanie finished the list with "Lay Down". 
1971:  The Beach Boys released the album Surf's Up.  (Note:  some websites claim the album was released August 30.  According to both 'Mojo' magazine as well as the book 'Heroes and Villains:  Essays on Music, Movies, Comics, and Culture' by Steven S. Gaines, the album was released July 25.) 1976:  The Eagles performed in Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.








1980:  AC/DC released the album Back in Black.  (Note:  some websites say the release date was July 21, and one even says it was released December 21, but according to the official website for AC/DC, the group released the album July 25.)
1980:  Eric Carr made his live debut as drummer with KISS at the Palladium in New York City.










1981:  Pat Benatar called me and other representatives of radio stations to promote her new song "Fire And Ice".  There was nothing cold about her or the song--It moved from #64 to #44 on this date.
1981:  Air Supply scored their first #1 song with "The One That You Love", finally toppling "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes after nine weeks at the top.  "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield was #3 and Joey Scarbury moved up strong with "Theme From 'Greatest American Hero'".  The rest of the Top 10:  The Oak Ridge Boys with "Elvira", Kenny Rogers and one of The Top Adult Contemporary Songs of the 80's*--"I Don't Need You", the Pointer Sisters with "Slow Hand" up to #7, Hall & Oates dropping with "You Make My Dreams", the Manhattan Transfer at #9 with "Boy From New York City" and Marty Balin's first solo hit "Hearts" at #10.
1981:  Long Distance Voyager by the Moody Blues was #1 on the Album chart, taking over from Mistaken Identity by Kim Carnes.  The #71 Album of All-Time in the Rock Era*--Hi Infidelity was still going strong for REO Speedwagon.  Street Songs by Rick James came in fourth followed by Hard Promises from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.  The rest of the Top 10:  Paradise Theater from Styx, Face Value by Phil Collins at #7, Share Your Love, moving up from 14-8 for Kenny Rogers, Stars On Long Play and Zebop! from Santana.





1983:  Billy Joel released the first single from his great album An Innocent Man--"Tell Her About It".  (Note:  some websites insist the single was released July 28.  "Tell Her About It" debuted on the chart July 30.  Those sites, naïve about the music business, wouldn't know that a single released on a Thursday was too late to be included on that week's 'Billboard' chart, as the deadline for radio station reporting was Wednesday.) 










1983:  Spandau Ballet released the single "True".
1985:  Bob Dylan sang "Blowin' In The Wind", "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna' Fall" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'" at the 12th World Festival of Youths and Students in Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union.  And indeed the times they were a-changin'" in Russia.
1987:  Alex Sadkin, producer of Duran Duran, Simply Red, Bob Marley and Grace Jones, died from injuries suffered in a car crash in Nassau, the Bahamas.  (Note:  some websites say he died on August 2, and some say he died in Miami, Florida.  According to the BBC, Sadkin died in Nassau on July 25.)
1987:  Madonna owned the #1 song in the U.K. with "Who's That Girl".









1987:  Heart's stay at #1 reached three weeks with "Alone".  Bob Seger was eagerly waiting with "Shakedown" at #2 and U2 moved up strong with "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".  Whitney Houston's former #1 "I Wanna' Dance With Somebody" was at 4.










1988:  UB40 re-released their cover of the Neil Diamond song "Red Red Wine" on A&M Records, five years after it was a hit in the U.K. and four years after it peaked at #34 in the United States.  (Note:  some websites naively report the single was re-released August 20.  "Red Red Wine" debuted on the Singles chart on August 13.  It is physically impossible for a song to be included on the Singles chart if it has not been released as a single.)
1992:  Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits 1966-1992 set the pace on the U.K. Album chart.
1992:  Boyz II Men moved from #53 to 32 on this date with "End Of The Road".











1992:  Tom Cochrane, former lead singer of Red Rider ("White Hot" and "Lunatic Fringe") cracked the Top 10 as a solo artist with "Life Is A Highway". 
1992:  "The One" by Elton John was the new #1 song on the Adult Contemporary chart, Elton's 12th #1 for the genre.
1995:  Charlie Rich died of a blood clot in his lung at a motel in Hammond, Louisiana at the age of 62.  (Note:  some websites insist he died July 24, but according to the newspaper 'The New York Times' and other reputable sources, Charlie died July 25.)
1999:  They tried to copy the original but failed miserably.  Obviously, attendees at Woodstock '99 didn't understand what the original Woodstock was about.  We say that because at the '99 imitation, rioters set fires and looted vendors while the Red Hot Chili Peppers were bringing the festival to a close.
2002:  While staying at the TriBeCa Grand Hotel in Manhattan, New York, bodyguards for Mariah Carey heard "a commotion".  When they got into Carey's hotel suite, they found that she had broken down into hysterics and had intentionally broken scores of dishes and glasses in the kitchenette.  Carey suffered several cuts on her body and was checked into a hospital shortly after midnight on July 26 for "extreme exhaustion".  (Note:  several websites report the outburst occurred on July 27, but it was on July 25, according to ABC News, CBS News, and numerous other credible sources.)
2003:  Nelly performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.








2003:  Erik Brann, guitarist for Iron Butterfly, died of heart failure in Los Angeles at the age of 52.
2003:  Mariah Carey opened a tour of North America at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada.
2003:  A poll by long-time radio station heavyweight KIIS in Los Angeles found that Americans believed Eminem was "more truthful" than U.S. President George W. Bush.
2004:  Street made it a daily double, rising to #1 on the U.K. single chart with "Dry Your Eyes" and #1 on the Album chart with A Grand Don't Come For Free.
2005:  Sony BMG Music admitted to using payola to get airplay for Jennifer Lopez, Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte and others after an investigation by the New York District Attorney's office.
2005:  More legal battles--Dave Mustaine, lead singer of Megadeth, sued former bass guitarist David Ellefson in Superior Court in Los Angeles, claiming Ellefson used the group's name without Mustaine's permission in an advertisement for musical equipment.

2010:  John Fogerty performed the song "Centerfield" at the induction ceremonies for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.



Born This Day:
1925:  Benny Benjamin, session drummer who played on many Motown hits for Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, the Four Tops, the Temptations ("My Girl" and "Get Ready"),  Marvin Gaye, and on "Do You Love Me" by the Contours; died of a stroke April 20, 1969 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Note:  several websites report that Bennie Benjamin was born this date and played drums for Motown.  Bennie Benjamin, who was born on November 4, 1907, was a songwriter who began writing songs in 1941 and later became a music publisher--he never played drums.  The only person born on this date who played drums for Motown was Benny Benjamin.)
1941:  Manny Charlton, founder and guitarist of Nazareth, was born in La Línea de la Concepción, Spain.
1942:  Bruce Woodley, founding member of the Seekers, was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
1943:  Jim McCarty, drummer of the Yardbirds, was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England.
1944:  Tom Dawes of Cyrkle ("Red Rubber Ball" from 1966), who also composed some of the best-known advertising jingles ("Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz” for Alka-Seltzer and “7Up, the Uncola,”), was born in Albany, New York; died of a stroke October 13, 2007 after carotid artery surgery in Manhattan, New York. 
1946:  Jose "Chepito" Areas, percussionist of Santana, was born in León, Nicaragua.
1948:  Steve Goodman, who wrote "The City Of New Orleans" for Arlo Guthrie, was born in Chicago, Illinois; died of leukemia September 20, 1984 in Seattle, Washington.
1950:  Mark Clarke, bass guitarist of Uriah Heap and Mountain, was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England





1951:  Verdine White, bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire, was born in Chicago, Illinois.
1958:  Thurston Moore, singer, songwriter and guitarist of Sonic Youth, was born in Coral Gables, Florida.
1960:  Paul Geary, co-founder and drummer of Extreme ("More Than Words"), was born in Medford, Massachusetts.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 24

1962:  Booker T & the MG's released one of The Top 100 Instrumentals of the Rock Era*--"Green Onions".  (Note:  one website claims the single was released in September.  It debuted on the Singles chart on August 11, 1962.  It is physically impossible for a song to be ranked on the Singles chart if it has not been released as a single.)












1964:  The Zombies released the single "She's Not There" on Decca Records.
1964:  The Rolling Stones concert in Blackpool, England ended in a dangerous riot.

1965:  Gary Lewis & the Playboys had a hot song with "Save Your Heart For Me".  It moved up from #40 to #13 on this date.










1965:  "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones reigned for a third week at #1.  "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" by Herman's Hermits was at #2 with the Four Tops' former #1 "I Can't Help Myself" 
third.











1965:  "I Can't Help Myself" by the Four Tops was #1 on the R&B chart for the eighth straight week.












1967:  The Supremes released the single "Reflections".













1971:  T. Rex was hot in the U.K, landing the #1 song "Get It On".
1971:  CCR exploded up the chart as "Sweet Hitch-Hiker" moved from 68 to 37.















1971:  "Indian Reservation" by the Raiders was #1, giving the likable group from Boise, Idaho their 19th hit but first and only #1 song.  Carole King from Stanley, Idaho fell to #2 after five weeks with her classic "It's Too Late".  Both songs are in The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.  James Taylor was up against tough competition but he stayed at #3 with "You've Got a Friend" while Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds were stuck at 4 with "Don't Pull Your Love".  The rest of the Top 10:  Jean Knight's one and only--"Mr. Big Stuff", Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose dropped with "Treat Her Like A Lady", Tommy James moved up to #7 with his solo hit "Draggin' The Line", the Bee Gees had song #8--"How Can You Mend A Broken Heart", John Denver scored the first Top 10 of his career with "Take Me Home, Country Roads" while the Grass Roots posted their 16th hit with "Sooner Or Later".  
1971:  Carole King remained at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for the fifth week with "It's Too Late".















1972:  Three Dog Night released the single "Black And White".
1972:  Bobby Ramirez, drummer for Edgar Winter's White Trash, was killed in a barroom brawl at age 24 in Chicago, Illinois.
1975:  The Eagles were in concert at the Convocation Center in South Bend, Indiana.
1976:  Alan Parsons, the famed engineer and producer, organized his own group to be called the Alan Parsons Project, debuted on the chart with their first single "(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Feather."










1976:  Lou Rawls moved to the top of the R&B chart with his great summer song "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine".










1976:  The Manhattans climbed to the top after 15 weeks with "Kiss And Say Goodbye", sending "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band to #2.  The Brothers Johnson could get no higher than #3 with their great song "I'll Be Good To You".  Newcomer Starbuck was feeling good with "Moonlight Feels Right", as it edged up to 4 while Gary Wright hit #5 with "Love Is Alive".  The rest of the Top 10:  Seals & Crofts moved from 16 to 6 with "Get Closer", the Beatles were at position #7 with "Got To Get You Into My Life", the duo of Elton John & Kiki Dee moved from 23 to 8 with "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", the Beach Boys posted their 45th hit but their first Top 10 in 10 years with "Rock And Roll Music" and actor John Travolta had a Top 10 song with "Let Her In".








 
1976:  Peter Frampton moved from 7 to 1 with the album Frampton Comes Alive, bumping Wings at the Speed of Sound to #2.  George Benson remained at 3 with Breezin', Chicago X was at #4 at Fleetwood Mac's self-titled release was still at #5 after 52 weeks.  The rest of the Top 10:  Jefferson Starship moved from 50 to 6 with Spitfire, Neil Diamond was up to 7 with Beautiful Noise, the Beatles with Rock 'N' Roll Music, the Steve Miller Band moved into the Top 10 with Fly Like an Eagle and Aerosmith plummeted with Rocks. 
1978:  The remake of the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, starring Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees, opened in New York City.










1979:  The Commodores released their amazing single "Sail On".












 
1982:  After years of trying, Survivor had a hit song, and it wasn't just any hit record, but the #1 classic "Eye Of The Tiger".  Toto spent a fourth week at #2 with "Rosanna" and "Hurts So Good" from "John Cougar (Mellencamp) was third.  Fleetwood Mac was up to 4 with "Hold Me" and the Dazz Band found itself at #5 with "Let It Whip".  The rest of the Top 10:  Steve Miller had his first Top 10 song in five years--"Abracadabra", Chicago was racing up the charts (11-6) with their great comeback song "Hard To Say I'm Sorry", the Human League remained in the Top 10 after 22 weeks with "Don't You Want Me", Air Supply collected their seventh consecutive Top 10 song to start their career (#6 all-time) with "Even The Nights Are Better", the Motels were at 9 with "Only The Lonely" and REO Speedwagon closed out the list with "Keep The Fire Burnin'". 
1982:  The talented Jennifer Holiday moved into the #1 position on the R&B chart with "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". 
1982:  "Even the Nights Are Better" from Air Supply was the new #1 Adult Contemporary song.











1985:  Madonna released the single "Dress You Up".












 
1987:  La Bamba, a film biography about the life of Richie Valens, opened in theaters. 
1993:  "Lately" by Jodeci stood alone at #1 on the R&B chart. 
1993:  U2 bypassed all the mediocre albums at the time to debut at #1 with Zooropa.
1993:  UB40 hit #1 with one of the only remakes of a #1 song (Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love") to hit #1 in the Rock Era. 
1993:  Tina Turner took over at #1 on the AC chart with "I Don't Wanna' Fight".
1995:  The 80th birthday of Frank Sinatra was celebrated over three days at Carnegie Hall in New York City. 
1996:  The Eagles performed at the Waldbühne in Berlin, Germany. 
1998:  Aerosmith postponed the first 13 dates of their American tour after drummer Joey Kramer received second-degree burns in a gas station fire. 
2003:  Ashanti, Ja Rule and Fat Joe performed at Hot 97's Hot Summer Night show on a pier in New York City.
2003:  The movie Masked and Anonymous starring Bob Dylan premiered.
2004:  'N Sync reunited to sing the National Anthem at their Challenge for Children basketball tournament at the Office Depot Center in Sunrise, Florida.
2005:  James Blunt had both the #1 U.K. song "You're Beautiful" and the #1 album Back to Bedlam.




    
2011:  Dan Peek, lead singer, guitarist, and keyboardist for America, died in his sleep of fibrinous pericarditis at his home in Farmington, Missouri at the age of 60.
2012:  Larry Hoppen, lead singer, co-founder and multi-instrumentalist with Orleans, who also worked with Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Lulu and Blues Traveler, died at age 61.
2014:  The Beatles singles "Love Me Do", "Please Please Me" and "Twist And Shout" all were certified Platinum.



Born This Day: 
1934:  Jimmy Holiday, who wrote the classic song "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" for Jackie DeShannon, was born in Sallis, Mississippi; died of heart failure February 15, 1987 in Iowa City, Iowa. 
1941:  Barbara Jean Love of Friends of Distinction ("Grazing In The Grass" and "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely") was born in Los Angeles.
1957:  Alan Whitehead, drummer of Marmalade ("Reflections Of My Life") was born in Oswestry, Shropshire, England.




  
1969:  Jennifer Lopez was born in the Bronx, New York. 
1973:  Mecca (Ann Vieira) of Digable Planets was born in Silver Spring, Maryland.