In 1943, Frank Sinatra began a two-year stay as the featured vocalist on CBS Radio's "Your Hit Parade," four months after leaving the Tommy Dorsey band.
In 1951, at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, Nat "King" Cole, backed by the Les Baxter orchestra, recorded "Too Young."
In 1956, in Shreveport, Louisiana, George Jones joined the cast of KWKH's live music series "Louisiana Hayride."
In 1958, Bill Haley And His Comets recorded "Skinny Minnie."
In 1958, at the Capital Tower Recording Studio in Hollywood, the Kingston Trio recorded "Fast Freight,""Bay Of Mexico,""Banua," and "Saro Jane."
In 1959, the body of J.P. Richardson, the "Big Bopper," was laid to rest in Beaumont, Texas.
In 1959, at Owen Bradley's Quonset Hut studio in Nashville, Stonewall Jackson recorded "Waterloo."
In 1960, singer/songwriter Jesse Belvin died in an automobile accident at the age of 27. His wife, who was with him in the accident, died of her injuries a week later. They had been trying to make a quick
getaway from the first concert with a mixed race audience in Little Rock, Arkansas, after threats had been made against Belvin's life.
In 1964, tickets for the Ed Sullivan Show with the first appearance by the Beatles sell out.
In 1965, the Righteous Brothers led the US hit parade with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin." According to the RIAA, the song has now been played on US radio stations over 8 million times, more than any other record in history.
In 1966, Simon & Garfunkel sang "The Sounds Of Silence" and the Animals performed "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1970, in New York City, Eric Clapton played the first of two nights at the Fillmore East.
In 1971, in a rare feat, a Country song crossed over to the Pop charts and became the best selling single in America when Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden" climbed to the top of the Cash Box hit parade.
In 1976, jazz pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi suffered a fatal heart attack at age 47.
On this day in 1978, "Stayin’ Alive" by the Bee Gees was the #1 song.
In 1981, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr – although they were never all in the studio at the same time – began recording the John Lennon tribute song, "All Those Years Ago."
In 1981, conductor/composer Hugo Montenegro died of emphysema at the age of 55.
In 1987, Sonny Bono declared his candidacy for Palm Springs, California mayor.
In 1988, Dusty Springfield returns to the US Top 10 for the first time in nineteen years with a duet with Pet Shop Boys called "What've I Done To Deserve This". Her last big hit in America was "Son Of A Preacher Man" in December, 1968.
In 1990, more than 200 women filed court actions against Chuck Berry, alleging he secretly filmed them in the washrooms of the restaurant he owned. Berry claimed that he had the camera installed to catch an employee who was suspected of stealing. Although the charges were never proven in court, Berry agreed to a settlement with 59 of the women that cost him more than $1.2 million, plus legal fees.
In 1994, Nirvana opened their final tour of Europe.
Also in 1998, singer Falco died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident at age 40.
In 1999, singer Jimmy Roberts, who was a featured performer on TV's "The Lawrence Welk Show" during its entire 27-year run, died of bone cancer at the age of 74.
In 2001, guitarist/songwriter Don Felder was fired by the Eagles and responded by launching a $50 million law suit against the band's Don Henley and Glenn Frey, alleging wrongful termination and breach of implied contract. Henley and Frey then countersued Felder for breach of contract, claiming that Felder had written and attempted to sell the rights to a "tell-all" book about the group. The suits were combined and settled out of court in Felder's favor in 2007 for an undisclosed amount. In April 2008 Felder finally issued his book, "Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001)" in the U.S., six months after it appeared in the UK.
In 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, the Black Eyed Peas, Earth Wind & Fire, Charlie Daniels, John Fogerty, and Gretchen Wilson performed in the pre-game show, Alicia Keys sang "America the Beautiful" in tribute to Ray Charles, and the combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy sang the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XXXIX. Paul McCartney performed during the halftime show in front of a TV audience estimated at one billion people. The New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21.
In 2005, songwriter/country music singer Merle Kilgore died of congestive heart failure while receiving treatment for lung cancer at the age of 70.
In 2007, singer/songwriter/actor/TV host Frankie Laine died of heart failure and complications during hip-replacement surgery at the age of 93. The big voiced singer sold over 100 million records and placed seven songs on Billboard's Top 40 between 1955 and 1969, including "Moonlight Gambler" and "Love Is A Golden Ring".
In 2010, Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in an attempt by L.A. prosecutors to prove he caused the pop star's death. With several members of the Jackson family in attendance, Dr. Murray entered a plea of not guilty and was released on $75,000 bail. His trial began on September 27, 2011, and on November 7 Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Three weeks later, he was sentenced to the maximum penalty of four years of incarceration, but is expected to serve a little less than two years in the Los Angeles County Jail due to California prison overcrowding.
In 2010, Barbra Streisand turned down a $100 million offer to appear at a Las Vegas hotel for a three-year run. The 67-year-old singer opted for a summer tour of the United States instead.
In 2011, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Keith Urban and Maroon 5 performed during the pregame show, Christina Aguilera sang the U.S. national anthem (with the wrong lyrics for the fourth line of the song), and the Black Eyed Peas, Slash and Usher entertained at halftime of Superbowl XLV. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25.
Also in 2011, guitarist/singer Gary Moore, formerly of Thin Lizzy, died after a heart attack at age 58.
