This Day in Music
On this day in music, February 28, 1970, Simon & Garfunkel began a six-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The ballad, which also served as the title track of the folk duo’s fifth and final studio album, featured Art Garfunkel on lead vocals, while The Wrecking Crew provided “Wall of Sound” style instrumentation. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” became the act’s signature hit, winning the duo five Grammys (including Record and Song of the Year). It would eventually become one of the most performed songs of the 20th century, with notable recordings by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin, among others.
In 1963, Patsy Cline made her final television appearance on The Glenn Reeves Show, where she performed her hits “San Antonio Rose” and “I Fall To Pieces.” Just five days later, the 30-year-old country star was killed in a plane crash.
In 1986, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley announced that Wham! would split in the summer. The British duo was one of the most successful pop acts of the 1980s. Before their disbandment, they released a final single, “The Edge of Heaven,” as well as a greatest hits album. Their farewell show was held at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 28, 1986, with 72,000 fans in attendance.
In 1984, Michael Jackson took home a record-breaking eight awards at the 26th Annual Grammys. Out of his 12 nominations, Jackson earned Record of the Year for “Beat It” and Album of the Year for Thriller, while “Billie Jean” won Best Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B song.
In 1983, U2 released their third studio album, War. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, it became the Irish band’s first No.1 album in the UK, pushing Michael Jackson’s Thriller from the top position. Across the Atlantic, War was U2’s first Gold-certified album in the US.
In 2019, the celebrated pianist, composer, and conductor, André Previn, died at age 89 in his Manhattan home. In addition to accomplishments in the jazz and classical world, Previn composed or arranged more than 50 Hollywood film scores. During his seven-decade-long career, Previn earned four Academy Awards and ten Grammys, among other honors.
BORN ON FEBRUARY 28
1942: Brian Jones (Rolling Stones)
1943: Donnie Iris (Wild Cherry)
1948: Geoff Nicholls (Black Sabbath)
1957: Ian Stanley (Tears For Fears)
1957: Cindy Wilson (B-52’s)
1971: Nigel Godrich (Producer)
1977: Jason Aldean
1994: Jake Bugg
