February 22nd: On this Day In Music History

 

1960, Percy Faith started a 9-week run at No.1 on the US chart with 'Theme From A Summer Place' a No.2 hit in the UK.

1962, Elvis Presley was at No.1 o the UK singles chart with 'Rock-A- Hula Baby / Cant Help Falling In Love.' The tracks were from his latest film 'Blue Hawaii' and became the singers tenth UK No.1

1966, During an 11-date tour of Australia and New Zealand The Rolling Stones played at the Centennial Hall, Adelaide, supported by The Searchers.

1967, Pink Floyd continued working on their debut album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn at Abbey Road Studios, London. The Beatles were also working at Abbey Road, recording the giant piano chord for the end of 'A Day In The Life' for their Sgt. Pepper's album.

1969, Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared at The Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England. Support act was David Bowie performing a one-man mime act.

1970, Appearing at The Roundhouse Spring Festival in Camden, London David Bowie and the Hype, (first live performance of the new band), along with Bachdenkel, Groundhog and Caravan.

 

1974, Former David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson played the first of two nights at The Rainbow in London, England.

1975, Scottish group The Average White Band went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Pick Up The Pieces', the bands album AWB also went to No.1 on the US chart.

1975, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel had their only UK No.1 single with 'Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me). Singer Steve Harley said the lyrics were vindictively directed at the former band members, whom he felt had abandoned him.

1977, The Sex Pistols won 'Turkey Of The Year' in this years NME readers poll.

 

1978, The Police appeared in a Wrigley's Chewing Gum commercial for US TV, the band dyed their hair blonde for the appearance.

1980, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, featuring Roger Glover, Graham Bonnet and Cozy Powell appeared at The Royal Highland Exhibition Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland.

1981, One hit wonder Joe Dolce was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Shaddap You Face,' famously keeping the legendary Ultravox song, Vienna, off the UK No.1 slot. 'Shaddap You Face' was Number 1 in 11 countries with over 35 different foreign language cover versions, selling over 4 million copies.

1986, MTV dedicated a full 22 hours broadcast to The Monkees, showing all 45 episodes of the original Monkees TV series.

 

1988, Stevie Wonder was awarded the 1998 MusiCares Person Of The Year at a concert in Los Angeles.

1989, A category for Heavy Metal was included at the Grammy Awards for the first time. Metallica performed on stage, but the award went to Jethro Tull. Many audience members booed. Meanwhile, Bobby McFerrin won Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for 'Don't Worry, Be Happy', Tracy Chapman is named Best New Artist and Tina Turner won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for 'Tina Live in Europe'.

1992, UK music paper the NME printed their writers all time best debut albums; at No.1, Patti Smith, 'Horses', No.2, Joy Division, 'Unknown Pleasures', No.3, MC5, 'Kick Out The Jams, No.4, The Jesus and Mary Chain, 'Psychocandy' and No.5, Television, 'Marquee Moon'.

1992, Shakespear's Sister started an eight-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Stay'. The duo was made up of ex Bananarama member Siobhan Fahey and singer Marcella Detroit (who co-wrote 'Lay Down Sally' with Eric Clapton). One of the longest running UK No.1's in chart history and the longest by an all-female act. 1997, No Doubt went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Don't Speak.' The third single from the band's second album Tragic Kingdom was written by Eric Stefani and his sister Gwen Stefani. 1997, The Spice Girls started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Wannabe', the first UK act to score a No.1 for over 18 months. 2000, The engagement ring Sex Pistol Sid Vicious gave to his girlfriend Nancy Spungen went on sale for auction at £1,500 ($2,550). Sid bought the ring from Camden market in 1977. Also on sale was a pair of John Lennon's jeans for £2,250 ($3,825). 2001, Winners at the 43rd Grammy Awards included U2, record of the year and song of the year with 'Beautiful Day', Steely Dan won album of the year for 'Two Against Nature', Macy Gray won Female pop vocal for 'I Try', Sting won Male pop vocal for 'She Walks This Earth', Eminem won Best Rap album from 'The Marshall Mathers LP', Johnny Cash won Best Male country performance for 'Solitary Man', and Shelby Lynne won best new artist award. 2002, Two middle-aged women spent the first of eight nights sleeping in a car outside Bournemouth International Centre to make sure they were first in the queue for when tickets to Cliff Richard's forthcoming concert went on sale. 2003, Sir Paul McCartney played a private show in San Diego for the 50th birthday of Wendy Whitworth, the executive producer of CNN's Larry King Show. Sir Paul donated his $1 million (£0.6 million) fee to the Adopt-a-Minefield charity. 2004, Norah Jones started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Feels Like Home', the singers second US No.1. Usher feat Lil Jon and Ludacris were at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Yeah.' 2004, The Sex Pistols' 'Anarchy in the UK' was named the most influential record of the 1970s in poll compiled by Q magazine. Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was voted into second place and Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' was third, T Rex's 'Get It On' was fourth and Special AKA's 'Gangsters' came fifth. 2010, Johnny Marr was said to be "ecstatic" after getting back one of his guitars which had been stolen in 2000 after a gig at the Scala nightclub in Kings Cross, London. Smiths fan Stephen White told a London court he was "disgusted" with himself for taking the £30,000 cherry red 1964 Gibson SG when he went backstage after the gig at The Scala.

February 22nd: Born on this day

1936, Born on this day, Ernie K-Doe, R&B singer who had a 1961 US No.1 single with 'Mother-in-Law', which was written by Allen Toussaint. K-Doe died on 5th July 2001.

1938, Born on this day, Bobby Hendricks singer with The Drifters who had the 1960 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Save The Last Dance For Me'.

1943, Born on this day, Louise Lopez, from Odyssey, who had the 1980 UK No.1 single 'Use It Up And Wear It Out'.

1943, Born on this day, Mick Green, guitarist with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates from 1962-4 who had the 1963 UK No.4 singles 'I'll Never Get Over You'. Joined Billy J. Kramer in 1964.

1953, Born on this day, actor Nigel Planer, 'Neil', who had the 1984 UK No.2 single with his version of the 1967 hit for Traffic, 'Hole In My Shoe'.

1953, Born on this day, John Sparks, bassist with British pub rock band Dr Feelgood who had the 1979 UK No.9 single 'Milk And Alcohol'.

1962, Born on this day, Michael Wilton with American progressive heavy metal band Queensryche. Their 1994 album 'Promised Land' went top 3 in the US.

1973, Born on this day, Scott Phillips, Creed, who had the 2001 US No.1 & UK No.13 single 'With Arms Wide Open', and the 2002 US No.1 album, 'Weathered'.

1974, Born on this day, James Blunt, (born James Hillier Blount), singer, songwriter and former Army captain. Had the 2005 UK No.1 single 'You're Beautiful' and the 2005 UK No.1 album 'Back To Bedlam.' Became the first British artist to top the American singles chart in nearly a decade when 'You're Beautiful' reached No.1 in 2006. The last British artist to do so was Elton John in 1997 with 'Candle in the Wind'.

1979, Born on this day, Tom Higgenson, singer, Plain White T's who had the 2007 UK top 10 album 'Every Second Counts'.

Died on this day

 

1987, Andy Warhol, pop artist and producer died after a gall bladder operation. The founder of the Pop Art movement, produced and managed The Velvet Underground, designed the 1967 Velvet Underground And Nico 'peeled banana' album cover and The Rolling Stones 'Sticky Fingers' album cover.

2002, Drummer Ronnie Verrell died aged 76. Worked with The Ted Heath Orchestra and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Provided the drum licks for Animal in The Muppet Show. When American drummer Buddy Rich, (one of Verrell's heroes), guested on the show, Verrell (as Animal) had a drumming duel with Rich, and won after Animal smashed a snare drum over Rich's head.