This Date in Rock Music History: February 14

1961:  The Beatles performed at the Cassanova Club in Liverpool, England and were captured on film for the first time.  (Note:  you will see numerous websites misspell the name of the club.  The correct spelling is with two "s's", as shown in the poster above, the Liverpool newspaper 'The Echo", and the books 'The Beatles Diary Volume 1:  The Beatles Years' by Barry Miles,  'Beatlemania:  Technology, Business, and Teen Culture in Cold War America' by André Millard, and 'The Beatles' Gigs:  Every Beatles' Gig from 1957 to 1970' by Robert G. Anstey.  The club was started by Brian Casser, who named it after his group Cass & the Cassanovas.)
1966:  Neil Diamond recorded the songs "Cherry Cherry" and "Solitary Man.

This Date in Rock Music History: February 13

1961:  Frank Sinatra started his own recording company, Reprise Records.

1961:  The instrumental "Calcutta" by Lawrence Welk was the new #1 song, passing up "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by the Shirelles.  The Miracles teamed up for the #3 song--"Shop Around", while Neil Sedaka was fourth with "Calendar Girl" and Ferrante & Teicher's big hit "Exodus" was on its way down.

This Date in Rock Music History: February 12

1956:  Dean Martin had the #1 song in the U.K. with "Memories Are Made Of This".

 
1958:  The Crickets released the single "Maybe Baby".  (Note:  some websites claim that the song was released January 23, 1957, but according to the book 'Buddy Holly:  A Biography' by Ellis Amburn and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the song was released on February 12.)

Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: "Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz

This fine song by Lenny Kravitz stalled at #12, an easy choice for one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*:

"Fly Away"

Lenny Kravitz

Lyrics and Music by Lenny Kravitz

I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly

I'd fly above the trees
Over the seas in all degrees
To anywhere I please

Oh I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

Oh I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

Let's go and see the stars
The milky way or even Mars
Where it could just be ours

Let's fade into the sun
Let your spirit fly
Where we are one
Just for a little fun
Oh oh oh yeah !

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

I got to get away
Feel I got to get away
Oh oh oh yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you yeah yeah
Oh Yeah !

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you yeah yeah
I got to get away

I want to get away [X4]
Yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you yeah yeah
I got to get away

I want to get away [X4]
Yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

This Date in Rock Music History: February 11

1956:  Elvis Presley performed "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Blue Suede Shoes" on the television program The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show.

1956:  The Platters notched a sixth week at #1 on the R&B chart with "The Great Pretender".

This Date in Rock Music History: February 10

1958:  Frank Sinatra moved to #1 on the Album chart with Come Fly With Me.

1962:  Henry Mancini owned the top album with the Soundtrack to "Breakfast At Tiffany's".

This Date in Rock Music History: February 9

1957:  A new star first appeared on the radio.  On this date, Johnny Mathis had his first hit "Wonderful!  Wonderful!" debut on the chart.

1957:  "Blue Monday" by Fats Domino was the top R&B song for a third week.
1959:  Frankie Avalon had to bow out of the ill-fated Winter Dance Party (that had already claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper) due to pneumonia, replaced by Paul Anka and Fabian.

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.