On this day in music, February 24, 1968, Fleetwood Mac (popularly known then as Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac) released their eponymous debut. At the time, the band (Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, Jeremy Spencer, and John McVie) was a blues-rock outfit. That style was reflected in the album’s tracklist, which included covers of blues standards by Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, and Elmore James, plus original material. Despite the lack of a hit single, Fleetwood Mac peaked at No.4 in the UK. The album also marks the only Fleetwood Mac LP to not include keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie (wife of John), who joined the group in 1970.
In 1969, The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their final UK show together. Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the set included covers of Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” and Elmore James’ “Bleeding Heart,” plus an extended jam of “Room Full of Mirrors,” all of which appeared on the 1971 live album, Experience. The band would break up shortly after an appearance at the Denver Pop Festival that June.
In 1976, The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits compilation became the first album to receive Platinum certification by the RIAA, marking the sale of one million copies. Released just one week earlier, the album contained favorites from the rock band’s first four albums – all of which were Top 40 US hits (except “Tequila Sunrise”).
In 2020, guitarist David Roback, a founding member of Mazzy Star, died from metastatic cancer at age 61. Before forming the dream pop band in 1989 with singer Hope Sandoval, Roback was an active member of Los Angeles’ Paisley Underground scene, with bands like Rain Parade and Opal (which morphed into Mazzy Star).
In 1982, the first annual BRIT Awards were held in London, four years after an inaugural event took place around the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. British broadcaster David Jacobs hosted the ceremony, as Adam and the Ants won British Album of the Year (for Kings of the Wild Frontier) and Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” earned British Single of the Year.
In 2004, 85-year-old Estelle Axton, who co-founded Stax Records, died in Memphis. Axton established the pioneering soul label with her brother, Jim Stewart, in the late 50s.
BORN ON FEBRUARY 24
1942: Paul Jones (Manfred Mann)
1947: Lonnie Turner (Steve Miller Band)
1947: Rupert Holmes
1950: George Thorogood
1959: Colin Farley (Cutting Crew)
1973: Chris Fehn (Slipknot)
1974: Chad Hugo (The Neptunes)
The Litchfield Visitors Bureau is looking ahead to one of its biggest events of the year. The annual Parade of Bands is scheduled for June 17th at 6 p.m.
Janaye Prieve says they’re expecting to have more food vendors for the event this year, and they already have commitments from several marching bands. She says the Visitors Bureau is also promoting the Chamber’s annual online auction which is being hosted by Steffes Auctioneers from March 17th through the 23rd.
Prieve says lots of meat raffles and other special events have been taking place at area establishments. She says Shaggy’s Bonfire has a fun Decades Party scheduled for this Saturday, March 1st for people 21 and older with free admission so you can dress up in costumes from a decade ranging from the 1920s to the 1990s and maybe win a prize.
Prieve says you can find more information on all kinds of area events at litchfieldmn.com or on social media. She says you can also stop in at the Chamber office at 219 North Sibley Avenue in downtown Litchfield or call 693-8184 for more information.
The Meeker County American Dairy Association held its annual Princess Banquet on Sunday in the Church of Our Lady Social Hall in Manannah. The dairy royalty for 2025 received their crowns and sashes.
The dairy princesses include Paige Frenchick, Claudia Frenchick and Elizabeth Thyen. They each gave a speech explaining the importance of the dairy industry and they ways they will promote it. Paige Frenchick also spoke about the trip she got to take to Alabama last November with other members of the Peanut Butter & Milk Festival Committee. The junior princesses include Ella Lahr and Mikyla Gerding, and the dairy ambassadors include Izzy Lahr, Virginia Isaacson and Alexis Blunt.
The princesses, junior princesses and ambassadors promote the dairy industry – mostly during the summer months – by reading to children in libraries, helping during Cheeseburger Days, riding in parades, serving milkshakes and ice cream in the malt booth at the Meeker County Fair and attending other events.
In 1998, Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” which was already on its way to becoming the best-selling single of the year, topped the UK pop chart. Composed by James Horner, with lyrics by Will Jennings, the ballad served as the theme to the blockbuster film Titanic, and quickly became the French Canadian singer’s signature hit. The song, which also appeared on Dion’s 1997 LP, Let’s Talk About Love, topped the charts in more than 25 countries, including the US a week later. It has sold more than 18 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling physical singles of all time.
In 2012, Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot staged a performance inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to protest the reelection of Vladimir Putin. Donning colorful balaclavas, the group was escorted out of the building less than a minute after their performance began, and three of the women were arrested and charged with hooliganism. They later used footage of the event in the music video for “Punk Prayer: Mother of God, Drive Putin Away.”
In 1968, Otis Redding had his first entry on the UK singles chart with his posthumous hit, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.” The song, which peaked at No.3, was the final song recorded by the legendary soul star. Across the Atlantic, it became the first posthumously-released song to top the US charts.
In 1961, The Beatles played three shows across Liverpool in one day. They began with a lunchtime performance at the Cavern Club – marking bassist Stuart Sutcliffe’s first appearance at the venue. The band later performed at the Cassanova Club before playing at Litherland Town Hall.
In 2014, Kurt Cobain’s hometown of Aberdeen, Washington, unveiled a statue in honor of the late Nirvana frontman. The tribute was also accompanied by the announcement of the annual celebration of Kurt Cobain Day.
BORN ON FEBRUARY 21
1933: Nina Simone
1943: David Geffen (Record Executive)
1952: Jean-Jacques Burnel (The Stranglers)
1954: Mike Pickering (M People)
1969: James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers)
1967: Michael Ward (The Wallflowers)
1986: Charlotte Church
1995: GIVÉON
