In 1956, at the Mercury Sound Studio in New York City, the Platters recorded "(You've Got) The Magic Touch."
In 1957, the Cuban government banned rock n’ roll, calling it "immoral and profane" and "offensive to public morals."
In 1958, on CBS-TV, Walter Cronkite reported that the Iranian government had banned rock 'n' roll because it was against the concepts of Islam and also a health hazard. Iranian doctors backed up the government's "unhealthy" claim, warning of hip damage due to "extreme gyrations."
In 1961, the Beatles perform at the Cassanova Club, Liverpool, and at Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool where they play a special Valentine's Day show. Paul McCartney sang Elvis Presley's "Wooden Heart," wearing wooden heart pinned to his coat, covered with satin and embroidered with the names "John", "Paul", "George", and "Pete". The heart was raffled off, and the winner also won a kiss from Paul.
In 1961, the Platters sued Mercury Records for breach of contract citing the label's refusal to pay royalties for songs on which Tony Williams did not sing lead. Williams, who sang lead on all of the Platters' biggest hits, had left the group for a solo career.
In 1961, Del Shannon released the single "Runaway." It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook, and became a major international hit. It is #472 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time from 2010.
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In 1964, Chad & Jeremy were guests on the "Patty Duke Show" on ABC-TV.
In 1965, the Dave Clark Five performed "Everybody Knows,""Because," and "Anyway You Want It" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1966, Neil Diamond recorded "Cherry Cherry." The song became Diamond's first big hit, reaching #6 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart, in October 1966 and the Cash Box chart. Worldwide sales were said to have reached over one million copies.
On February 14, 1967, Aretha Franklin recorded "Respect." The single (released in April of '67) garnered Franklin two Grammy Awards in 1968 for "Best Rhythm & Blues Recording" and "Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female" and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987. The Otis Redding composition is #5 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
On February 14, 1967, the Turtles released what became their only #1 single, "Happy Together." The song was written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon, former members of a band known as The Magicians. The song had been rejected a dozen times before it was offered to The Turtles
In 1968, Frank Zappa announces he is working on two movies, Uncle Meat and a Japanese monster film.
On this day in 1969, "Everyday People" by Sly & The Family Stone was the #1 song.
In 1969, over 100 concert goers were injured at a show by Love Affair and Amen Corner in Glasgow, Scotland.
In 1969, at Columbia Studio A in Nashville, Bob Dylan recorded "Lay Lady Lay." Among the Music City legends backing him on the session were Pete Drake on pedal steel guitar, Charlie McCoy on bass, Charlie Daniels on guitar, and Kenny Buttrey on drums. It quickly became one of his top US hits, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single did even better in the UK where it reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart
In 1970, Sly & The Family Stone landed at #1 with “Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin).”
In 1970, Billboard reported that the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) was “mounting a total war" against taped pirating of pre-recorded music.
In 1970, the Who appeared at Leeds University, England in 1970. The show was recorded for the bands forthcoming 'Live At Leeds' album.
In 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono started a week long run as co-hosts on 'Mike Douglas' US TV show.
In 1972, Grease opened on Broadway.
In 1973, David Bowie collapsed from exhaustion after a Madison Square Garden concert in New York.
In 1974, at the Los Angeles Forum, a tour by Bob Dylan and the Band came to an end after 39 shows in 21 cities. In attendance for the last show were musical colleagues such as Carole King and Neil Young as well as Hollywood royalty that included Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty. Ringo Starr declared it "bloody fantastic, the best concert I've ever been to." The performance was recorded for the album "Before The Flood."
In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine reported that David Bowie turned down a request from a gay liberation group that had asked him to compose the "world's first Gay National Anthem."
In 1977, Jimmy Buffett released the single "Margaritaville." In the US the song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and went to #1 on the Easy Listening chart, also peaking at #13 on the Hot Country Songs chart. It remains Buffett's highest charting solo single.
In 1977, singer songwriter Janis Ian received 461 Valentine's day cards after indicating in the lyrics of her song "At Seventeen'," she had never received any.
Also in 1977, the B-52's made their first live performance appearing in a Greenhouse at a Valentines day party in Athens.
In 1978, at Basing Street Studios in London, Dire Straits began recording their first album with former Spencer Davis Group bassist Muff Winwood as producer. The album featured what became the group's breakthrough single "Sultans of Swing."
In 1985, Whitney Houston released her self-titled debut album. It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 14 weeks in 1986 and generated three number-one singles—"Saving All My Love for You", "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love of All"—on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.
In 1986, Frank Zappa appeared on an episode of the television series Miami Vice. Zappa portrayed a crime boss named 'Mr. Frankie.'
Bon Jovi started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1987 with "Livin' On A Prayer," the group's second US #1, (#4 hit in the UK).
Also in 1987, with his "Ocean Front Property," country music singer George Strait became the first artist to debut at #1 on Billboard's country chart.
In 1988, composer Frederick Loewe, who collaborated with lyricist Alan Jay Lerner on the Broadway musicals "My Fair Lady,""Camelot,""Paint Your Wagon," and "Brigadoon," died at the age of 86.
In 1990, the Rolling Stones played the first of ten nights at the Korakuen Dome, Tokyo, Japan. The shows were seen by over 500,000 fans, making the band a cool $20 million.
In 1992, the film 'Waynes World' premiered in the US. The film included appearances by Meat Loaf and Alice Cooper and revived Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
In 1994, the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia married this third wife, filmmaker Deborah Koons. They remained together until his death 18 months later.
In 1995, rapper Tupac Shakur was sentenced to 1½ to 4½ years in prison after being convicted of sexual abuse. He was later released on appeal.
Usher started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1998 with "Nice & Slow."
In 1998, at the Roxy in New York, Madonna gave her first club performance in more than ten years.
In 1998, Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" set a new recorded for the most radio plays in the US with 116 million plays in one week.
In 1999, Rapper Foxy Brown was at #1 on the US album chart with ‘Chyna Doll.’
In 1999, singer (Party Doll) Buddy Knox died of lung cancer at the age of 65.
In 2000, KISS announced that they were going to do a farewell tour in makeup and then sell off the stage props from their career in an auction.
In 2001, "Timeless–Live in Concert," winner of four Emmy Awards and billed as Barbra Streisand's farewell concert, aired on Fox-TV.
In 2002, drummer Mick Tucker of Sweet died of leukemia at the age of 53.
In 2003, stolen reel-to-reel studio recordings by the Beatles were found in Australia. Police recovered the tapes of the bands 1968 'White album' and the 'Abbey Road' album after they were advertised for sale in a Sydney newspaper. Australian police had been tipped off by British detectives from Operation Acetone, an investigation into thefts of original Beatles music from Abbey Road studios in London in the 1960's .
In 2005, Kerrang! magazine announced the results of its readers’ poll for the best British rock albums ever. The Top 10 were: #1, Black Sabbath’s Black Sabbath; #2, Iron Maiden’s Number Of The Beast; #3 Sex Pistols’ Never Mind the Bollocks; #4, Led Zeppelin’s IV; #5, Black Sabbath’s Paranoid; #6, Muse’s Absolution; #7, The Clash’s London Calling; #8, Queen’s Sheer Heart Attack; #9, Iron Maiden’s Iron Maiden and #10, Manic Street Preachers’ The Holy Bible.
In 2007, winners at the 27th annual Brit Awards at London's Earls Court included Muse who won Best British Live Act, British Breakthrough Act went to The Fratellis. Winner of the Best International Breakthrough Act was Orson. Take That won the first-ever live vote, when they took home the Best British Single for "Patience." Arctic Monkeys were named Best British Group, James Morrison was named Best British Male and Amy Winehouse won Best British Female. Justin Timberlake won Best International Male and Nelly Furtado won Best International female. The Killers won Best International Group and Best International Album for Sam's Town and Oasis won the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.
In 2008, Boston’s Tom Scholz sends a letter to Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee demanding that he stop using "More Than A Feeling" at campaign events. "By using my song . . . you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed," writes the guitarist, a Barack Obama supporter. Also, ex-Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau had performed the song with Huckabee at rallies.
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen went to #1 on the US album chart with ‘Working on a Dream,' his 16th studio album.
In 2010, "Everybody Hurts," recorded to help Haiti's earthquake victims went to #1 on the UK singles chart. The REM cover featured Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Take That sold over 453,000 copies in its first week.
In 2011, jazz pianist/composer Sir George Shearing died of congestive heart failure at 91.
In 2012, singer/songwriter/lyricist Dory Previn, who was married to Andre Previn from 1959 to 1970, died at age 86.
In 2013, record producer (Leader Of The Pack, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Society's Child, I Can Never Go Home Anymore, Give Him A Great Big Kiss, Vanilla Fudge's You Keep Me Hangin' On)/songwriter (Leader Of The Pack, Remember-Walking In The Sand, I Can Never Go Home Anymore, Give Him A Great Big Kiss) George "Shadow" Morton, who had a second career as a designer of golf clubs, died of cancer at the age of 71.
birthdays today include (among others): Razzy Bailey (75), Doug Simril (Steve Miller Band, Boz Scaggs) (68), Roger Fisher (Heart) (64), Kenny Hyslop (Slik, Skids, Simple Minds) (63), D'wayne Wiggins (Tony! Toni! Tone!) (51) and Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) (42)
