Music History - February 10

In 1942, after topping the charts for more than two months, "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra became the first recording to be certified as a million-seller and was honored with a gold record, a master copy of the disc sprayed with gold lacquer by RCA as a publicity stunt. What is recognized today as a Gold Record was not initiated for another 16 years when the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) adopted the idea and trademarked the Gold Record. In 1958, the first Gold single was awarded to Perry Como for "Catch A Falling Star" and the first Gold album was given to Gordon McRae for the soundtrack of "Oklahoma!"

In 1953, in New York City, the Crows recorded "Gee."

In 1954, "The Glenn Miller Story," starring James Stewart, June Allyson, Harry Morgan, Charles Drake, and George Tobias, with Frances Langford, Louis Armstrong, Ben Pollock, Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole, and the Modernaires appearing as themselves, had its North American premiere in New York City.

In 1956, Little Richard recorded "Long Tall Sally." The flip side was "Slippin' and Slidin'." Both songs were subsequently released in the LP 'Here's Little Richard' (Specialty, March 1957). The single reached #1 on the Billboard rhythm and blues chart, staying at the top for six of 19 weeks, while peaking at #6 on the pop chart. It received the Cash Box Triple Crown Award in 1956. The song as sung by Little Richard is #56 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It became one of the singer's best-known hits and has become a rock and roll standard covered by hundreds of artists

In 1958, Frank Sinatra started a five week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Come Fly With Me.'

In 1959, Link Wray performed his controversial instrumental "Rumble" on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand." Many radio stations had refused to play the record only because of the danger implied in its title.

In 1962, Henry Mancini went to #1 on the US album chart with the soundtrack to 'Breakfast At Tiffany's.'

In 1962, Roy Orbison released the single "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)."

On this day in 1965, "You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’" by the Righteous Brothers was the #1 song.

In 1965, Chad & Jeremy made a guest appearance on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" on CBS-TV.

In 1965, "Shindig!" on ABC-TV featured the Temptations, Del Shannon, the Coasters, Marianne Faithfull, Jewel Akens, and the Ventures.

In 1967, the Beatles and producer George Martin continued work in the studio on "A Day In The Life," using a 40-piece orchestra to add the orchestral crescendos. At the Beatles' request, orchestra members arrived in full evening dress along with novelty accoutrements. One violinist wore a red clown's nose, one had a fake gorilla's paw on his bow hand and others wore funny hats with other assorted novelty items. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mike Nesmith, and Donovan also attended the session. Martin later recalled that when he told some of Britain's finest musicians that they were to play twenty-four bars of cacophonous, improvised crescendo, "they all looked at me as though I were completely mad." It was ranked the 28th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. The magazine also ranked it as the greatest Beatles song.

In 1968, the Beatles closed their American fan club and business office, dismissed their American public relations people, and consolidated all business dealings within their own Apple Corps in London.

In 1968, the Four Tops 'Greatest Hits' was at #1 on the UK album chart, the first #1 album for the Tamla Motown label.

In 1971, Carole King's 'Tapestry' was released. It is one of the best-selling albums of all-time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide In the US, it has been certified diamond by the RIAA with more than 10 million copies sold. It received four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year. The lead single from the album, "It's Too Late"/"I Feel The Earth Move" was #1 on the Billboard 100 for five weeks. In 2003, Tapestry was ranked #36 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

In 1972, David Bowie appeared at the Tolworth Toby Jug, London, on the opening date of his Ziggy Stardust tour. The character of Ziggy was initially inspired by British rock 'n' roll singer Vince Taylor.

In 1973, at the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, Charlie Rich recorded "The Most Beautiful Girl."

In 1974, at the Los Angeles Forum, Deep Purple began a 28-date North American tour.

In 1974, record producer Phil Spector was injured in a car crash. He needed extensive plastic surgery that dramatically altered his looks. Details of how the accident happened were kept secret.

In 1975, Dave Alexander, the original bassist for the Stooges died from pneumonia aged 28. He was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at a gig too drunk to play.

In 1977, at the CBS Whitfield Street Studio No. 3 in London, the Clash started recording their self-titled debut album which they completed in weekend sessions 17 days later. By the third of these sessions the album was recorded and mixed to completion, with the tapes being delivered to CBS at the start of March. It cost just £4000 to produce.

In 1978, Van Halen released their self-titled debut studio album. In 2006, readers of Guitar World magazine ranked it 7th on a list of the Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time. Van Halen sold over 10 million copies in the US alone, becoming one of the most successful debuts by a rock band. The album cover was shot at the Whisky a Go Go. The guitar pictured on the cover of the album is Edward Van Halen's famous Frankenstrat Guitar, made from a neck purchased from Boogie Bodies and a Stratocaster style body custom made by Wayne Charvel in California and assembled in Edward's parents' garage. In 2003, the album was ranked #415 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

In 1979, Rod Stewart started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy," his third US #1. (and a #1 hit in the UK). Also today Rod started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Blondes Have More Fun.'

In 1985, in New York City, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings performed at Radio City Music Hall.

In 1985, at Manta Sound studios in Toronto, Canadian music superstars calling themselves Northern Lights recorded the Bryan Adams-Jim Vallance-David Foster composition "Tears Are Not Enough," their contribution to African famine relief. Performers included Gordon Lightfoot, Burton Cummings, Anne Murray, Joni Mitchell, Dan Hill, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Bruce Cockburn, Corey Hart, Geddy Lee, and Mike Reno. By 1990, $3.2 million had been raised for famine relief projects in Africa. Ten per cent of the funds were kept in Canada to assist Canadian food banks.

In 1986, 'John Lennon: Live in New York City,' a posthumous live album by John Lennon was released in the UK. It was prepared under the supervision of his widow, Yoko Ono. Recorded on August 30, 1972 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Lennon performed two shows, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, to raise money for children with mental challenges.  The benefit concerts, billed as One to One, also featured other performers in addition to Lennon, including Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Melanie Safka and Sha-Na-Na, although their performances are not included on this album, nor on the simultaneous video release.

'Live in New York City' captures John Lennon's last full-length concert performance, coming right after the release of 'Some Time in New York City,' which was a commercial failure in the United States. Perhaps as a result, Lennon's stage talk, while humorous, is self-deprecating and slightly nervous in tone. Backing Lennon and Ono were Elephant's Memory, who had served as Lennon and Ono's backing band on Some Time in New York City. Although the material Lennon performed was largely drawn from his three most recent albums of the period (John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, Imagine and Some Time in New York City), he also included in the setlist his Beatles hit "Come Together" and paid tribute to Elvis Presley with "Hound Dog" before leading the audience in a singalong of "Give Peace a Chance."

In 1990, Paula Abdul started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart with 'Opposites Attract', her fourth US #1, a #2 hit in the UK.

In 1990, Eric Clapton completed his 18-night run at London's Royal Albert Hall.

In 1993, an estimated 90 million people worldwide watched ABC-TV's primetime Oprah Winfrey special that featured the first interview with Michael Jackson in 14 years, live from his Neverland Ranch. During the program Jackson claimed he suffered from Vitiligo, a skin condition that accounted for his loss of pigmentation. The singer also insisted that he'd had only two minor plastic surgery operations.

In 1996, at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, country music singer Shania Twain drew a crowd of nearly 20,000 fans for an autograph session.

In 1997, Melissa Etheridge's then-partner Julie Cypher gave birth to a daughter. It was later revealed that the baby's father was Crosby, Stills & Nash's David Crosby.

In 1997, during a gig by Blur at London's Astoria, Spice Girl members Ginger Spice and Sporty Spice were thrown of the stage after joining the band during their set. Security didn't recognise the two Spice Girls.

In 1999, Musician magazine stopped publication after 21 years.

In 2001, jazz saxophonist/clarinetist/Big Band and Jazz Hall of Famer George Holmes "Buddy" Tate, a member of Count Basie & His Orchestra throughout the 1940s and later led his own band, died at age 87.

In 2002, in Philadelphia, Elton John performed at the National Basketball Association's All-Star Game.

In 2002, folk singer Dave Van Ronk died at the age of 65.

In 2003, the Rolling Stones play a free show in Los Angeles with help from Bill Clinton to raise awareness of global warming.

In 2004, Kanye West released his debut solo album 'The College Dropout.' The album debuted at #2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 441,000 copies in its first week. It was a massive commercial success, producing five singles that achieved chart success. Upon its release, the LP received general acclaim from music critics and earned West several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 47th Grammy Awards. 

In 2005, Prince topped Rolling Stone magazine's annual list of the years biggest money earners after his 2004 tour grossed over $90 million (£53 million). Madonna came in second place after earning $54.9 million (£34.3 million) and Metallica came third with $43 million (£25.3 million).

In 2005, Who singer Roger Daltrey was awarded the CBE by The Queen at Buckingham Palace for services to the music industry.

In 2006, record producer and MC James Dewitt Yancey, (A.K.A. J Dilla or Jay Dee), died of a rare blood disease, at his home in Los Angeles, California. Yancey had toured Europe in 2005 performing from a wheelchair.

In 2008, Amy Winehouse won five prizes at this year's Grammy Awards, including song of the year and record of the year, both for her single 'Rehab', and best new artist. The UK singer was not at the Los Angeles ceremony to collect them due to visa problems. Instead, she made an acceptance speech by satellite, paying tribute to her husband, "my Blake incarcerated," who was in custody awaiting trial on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and grievous bodily harm. Kanye West scooped four Grammy Awards, while Bruce Springsteen won three. The White Stripes, Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood and Mary J Blige all picked up two awards.

In 2008, singer Freddie Bell, leader of the 1950s rock 'n' roll group Freddie and the Bellboys, died at the age of 76. It was his version of Big Mama Thorton's "Hound Dog" that inspired Elvis Presley to record the song after seeing it performed by Bell in Las Vegas

In 2009, the San Diego, California School Board apologized to folksinger Pete Seeger for demanding that he sign a loyalty oath, vowing that he was not a Communist, before performing there in 1960.

In 2011, the video game series Guitar Hero was discontinued.

birthdays today include (among others):  Don Wilson (Ventures) (77), Roberta Flack (75), Jimmy Merchant (Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers) (74), Nigel Olsson (Elton John) (65), Robbie Nevil (56), Lionel Cartwright (54) and Rosanna Tavarez (Eden's Crush) (37)