Entertainment

On this day in music, February 19, 1980, AC/DC’s frontman and lyricist, Bon Scott, died at the age of 33. One of the greatest vocalists in hard rock, Scott joined AC/DC in 1974, not long before the Australian band recorded their debut, High Voltage. Over the next six years, Scott would perform on seven albums with AC/DC, including their 1979 masterpiece, Highway to Hell. Tragically, the hard-partying frontman died just as the group was about to have their commercial breakthrough. While AC/DC would continue on, recruiting Brian Johnston as their new singer, they paid tribute to their fallen bandmate in their best-selling follow-up, Back in Black.

In 2020, rapper Pop Smoke was fatally shot during a home invasion at his Hollywood residence. Born Bashar Barakah Jackson, he ideated his artist name as a combination of Poppa, a nickname from his Panamanian grandmother, and Smocco Guwop, his nickname from his childhood friends. His posthumously-released debut, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, reached No.1 in several countries, while all 19 songs on the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1995, Roxette became one of the first Western pop groups to perform in Beijing. The Swedish duo, who formed in 1986 and found success after the release of their second album, Look Sharp! , appeared at Workers’ Indoor Arena to play a 22-song set. The concert was part of an extensive international tour, during which they performed to over one million people.

In 2014, at the 34th annual BRITs, Arctic Monkeys made history as the first act to receive awards for British Group and British Album of the Year for the third time. Several other remarkable moments took place during the ceremony, including the BRITs’ first backstage livestream and David Bowie becoming the oldest winner of the award for British Male Solo Artist at 67.

In 1994, Mariah Carey’s cover of Badfinger’s “Without You” became her first UK No.1 hit. Coincidentally, Harry Nilsson’s cover of the ballad also hit No. 1 on the same date in 1972. Once described by Paul McCartney as “the killer song of all time,” the tune was penned by Badfinger members Pete Ham and Tom Evans and released on their 1970 album, No Dice. In 1972, Ham and Evans received the Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 19

1940: Smokey Robinson
1943: Lou Christie
1948: Toni Iommi (Black Sabbath)
1960: Prince Mark Dee (Fat Boys)
1975: Daniel Adair (Nickelback)

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On this day in music, February 18, 1966, Beach Boy leader Brian Wilson began recording the band’s soon-to-be classic, “Good Vibrations.” Riffing on themes of extrasensory perception, Wilson was inspired by a story that his mother often told about dogs barking at people in response to their “bad vibrations.” The recording process, meanwhile, was unprecedented and found musicians recording more than 90 hours of interchangeable footage, with Wilson later assembling the fragments into a larger, symphonic structure, which reflected various moods. Released in October of that year, “Good Vibrations” was an instant critical and commercial success. Widely considered to be among the era’s most important recordings, the song went on to influence countless other bands, while, in the decades since its release, “Good Vibrations” has ranked on numerous lists, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll” and Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994.

In 1990, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury made his final public appearance at the BRIT Awards, accepting an honor, alongside his bandmates, for “Outstanding Contribution to British Music.” Mercury died in November 1991 at age 45, following complications from the AIDS virus.

In 2021, pioneering rapper Prince Markie Dee died a day before his 53rd birthday. Born Mark Anthony Morales, he performed alongside Darren Morales and Damon Wimbley as the Fat Boys in the 80s. After the disbandment of the group, Morales launched a solo career, earning a No.1 single for “Typical Reasons (Swing My Way),” and finding success writing and producing songs for Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Lopez, among others.

In 1962, during a weekend leave from training, The Everly Brothers appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Decked in full uniform and regulation cropped hair, the duo performed “Jezebel” and “Crying in the Rain.” They enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve in October 1961 and resumed their music career after their discharge.

In 1959, Ray Charles recorded one of his signature hits, “What’d I Say,” at Atlantic Records’ New York City studio. The song, which originated from a call-and-response improvisation between Charles and his background vocalists, The Raelettes, reached the top of the R&B chart and No.6 on the pop chart. It later gave Charles his first Gold record.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 18

1933: Yoko Ono
1934: Skip Battin (The Byrds)
1947: Dennis Deyoung (Styx)
1948: Keith Knudsen (The Doobie Brothers)
1955: Brian James (The Damned)
1965: Dr. Dre
1994: J-Hope (BTS)

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On this day in music, February 17, 1960, Elvis Presley earned his first Gold record for an album, weeks before his discharge from the US Army. The plaque celebrated his self-titled second studio album, which was originally released in October 1956. Featuring three Little Richard covers (including “Long Tall Sally” and “Rip It Up”), several new country ballads, as well as the hits “Love Me” and “Paralyzed,” Elvis spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard albums chart, making Presley the first artist to have two albums reach No.1 in the same year.

In 1975, AC/DC released their debut studio album, High Voltage in Australia only. Recorded in November 1974 at Sydney’s Albert Studios, the LP offered a glimpse into the band’s early glam-rock influences. Nearly two years later, the Aussie group released an identically-titled international debut, which had a very different tracklist and showcased the hard rock sound they settled into.

In 1978, British singer-songwriter Kate Bush released her debut album, The Kick Inside, via EMI Records. Lead single “Wuthering Heights” peaked at No.1 in the UK, remaining at the top for four weeks and making Bush the first female artist in the UK to write a No.1 hit. Produced by Andrew Powell and David Gilmour, the album was also a rousing success, landing at No.3.

In 1971, singer-songwriter James Taylor made his TV debut with an appearance on The Johnny Cash Show, where he performed “Sweet Baby James,” “Country Road,” and his No.1 hit, “Fire and Rain.”

In 1989, Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale married actress and model Tawny Kitaen. Kitaen famously starred in several of the British hard rockers’ music videos, including an iconic appearance in 1987’s “Here I Go Again,” where she danced and cartwheeled atop two Jaguar XJs. The couple divorced in 1991.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 17

1941: Gene Pitney
1950: Rickey Medlocke (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
1972: Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
1972: Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
1981: John Hassall (The Libertines)
1988: Arin Ilejay (Avenged Sevenfold)
1991: Ed Shee

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On this day in music, February 12, 1961, The Miracles’ “Shop Around” gave Motown Records its first million-selling single. Penned by lead singer Smokey Robinson and Motown founder Berry Gordy, the irresistible track spent eight weeks at the top of Billboard’s R&B chart and peaked at No.2 on the Hot 100 (the first Motown release to land in the Top 5). The song, which also marked Motown’s first release in the UK, was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and has since ranked on numerous lists, including Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.”

In 1977, Pink Floyd released their tenth studio album, Animals. Self-produced in the band’s Britannia Row Studios in London, the record examined the sociopolitical conditions of mid-1970s Britain, drawing influences from George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Although no singles were released from the LP, the band promoted their new work throughout their “In The Flesh” tour, propelling the album to the Top 5 in the US, UK, Australia, and across Europe.

In 2017, Adele became the first artist in Grammy history to win all three general field awards in the same ceremony, twice. After a previous sweep at the 2012 Grammys, where the British singer-songwriter took home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year, she repeated the same feat five years later, winning the above awards for “Hello” and 25, respectively.

In 1970, John Lennon performed “Instant Karma!” on BBC’s Top of The Pops, becoming the first Beatle to appear on the TV show since 1966. One of the fastest-released songs in pop music history, Lennon wrote, recorded, and mixed the single in one session and released it within ten days. “Instant Karma!” became the first solo single by a member of The Beatles to sell a million copies in the US, and was certified Gold in December 1970.

In 2007, Sting confirmed the reunion of The Police during a press conference at West Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go club. One day earlier, at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, the band announced their plans by performing their 1978 hit, “Roxanne.” The renowned English rock band would go on to play a best-selling reunion tour, beginning in May 2007.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 12

1939: Ray Manzarek (The Doors)
1952: Michael McDonald
1956: Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy)
1968: Chynna Phillips (Wilson Phillips)
1978: Brian Chase (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
1980: Gucci Mane
1988: Mike Posner

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On this day in music, February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards. The following day, members of the Recording Academy scrambled to organize a tribute to the 48-year-old superstar. Despite her troubled life, Houston possessed one of the greatest voices in music and was one of the best-selling artists of all time, with enduring hits like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “The Greatest Love of All,” and “I Will Always Love You.” In addition to being the only artist to score seven consecutive No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Houston earned six Grammy Awards, 28 Guinness World Records, and inductions into the Grammy, Rhythm and Blues Music, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame during her career.

In 1964, The Beatles played their first show on US soil at the nation’s capital, performing at the Washington Coliseum. Over 8,000 fans showed up, requiring more than 350 police officers at the venue. Due to the stage’s circular setup, the band stopped their set several times to turn Ringo Starr’s drum kit and reposition their microphones. Playing 12 songs, including their single “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” the band’s performance was captured by CBS and played as a telecast in cinemas in March 1964.

In 2014, Queen became the first act in the UK to sell 6 million copies of an album with their 1981 Greatest Hits LP. The Official Charts Company determined that one in three British families owned a copy of the record, which featured such tracks as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” and “Somebody to Love.”

In 1967, The Monkees made history when their second album, More of The Monkees, jumped from No. 122 to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for 18 weeks. Eventually certified 5 x Platinum by the RIAA, More of The Monkees became the first pop/rock album to be the top-selling title of the year in the United States.

In 1963, in a marathon day-long session, The Beatles recorded ten songs for their debut album, plus four additional tracks, including their next two singles. Before wrapping at 10:45 PM, the band recorded a cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Twist and Shout,” a favorite at their live shows. John Lennon led the vocal performance, and his first take was chosen for Please Please Me.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 11

1939: Gerry Goffin (songwriter)
1941: Sergio Mendes
1962: Sheryl Crow
1974: D’Angelo
1977: Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park)
1979: Brandy
1981: Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child)

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On this day in music, February 6, 1958, George Harrison joined The Quarrymen, a British skiffle/rock group formed by John Lennon. Named after a line from Lennon’s school song at Allerton’s Quarry Bank High School, the group originally consisted of Lennon and several of his classmates. Paul McCartney, who joined the band in October 1957, recommended Harrison, despite Lennon’s initial resistance. By the turn of the decade, as they began to shift further toward rock‘n’roll, Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison would evolve into The Beatles.

In 1998, Carl Wilson, a founding member of The Beach Boys, died at the age of 51. Wilson not only served as the legendary group’s lead guitarist, but also performed lead vocals on several of their biggest hits, including “God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Kokomo.” While Wilson was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in early 1997, he continued to play with the Beach Boys through their entire summer tour. In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates.

In 1982, with the double A-side “The Model/Computer Love.” Kraftwerk made history as the first German act to top the UK singles chart. As pioneers of electronic music, Kraftwerk was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and received an Early Influence Award from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

In 1971, Led Zeppelin announced a UK tour through universities and small venues. With tickets priced at 60 shillings (less than $1), manager Peter Grant stated that they “decided to do the clubs and forget about the bread and the big concert halls.” The tour kicked off in Belfast and included the first public performance of their future hit, “Stairway to Heaven.”

In 1982, The J. Geils Band scored their sole No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the cheeky single, “Centerfold.” Simultaneously, their tenth studio album Freeze-Frame also began a four-week run at the top of the Billboard 200.

In 2014, the NME named Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” as the greatest song of all time. The grunge anthem marked the opening track and lead single from the band’s second album, Nevermind.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 6

1945: Bob Marley
1946: Kate McGarrigle
1950: Natalie Cole
1962: Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
1964: Gord Downie (The Tragically Hip)
1966: Rick Astley

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