February 1 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Bob Shane [born Robert Schoen] (1934) Kingston Trio singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“Tom Dooley”] (died 2020) age 85 – long illness

Don Everly (1937) The Everly Brothers singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (died 2021) age 84 – unknown causes

Ray “Eye Patch” Sawyer (1937) Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show singer/guitarist/percussionist/co-founder [“The Cover of the Rolling Stone”] (died 2018) age 81 – brief illness

Delano “Del” McCoury (1939) bluegrass guitarist/banjoist/singer

Rick James [James Johnson Jr.] (1948) singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist [“Super Freak”/”Give It to Me Baby”] (died 2004) age 56 – heart failure

Rich Williams (1950) Kansas guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Mike Campbell (1950) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lead guitarist/songwriter/co-founder

Fran Christina (1951) The Fabulous Thunderbirds drummer

Chuck Dukowski [born Gary McDaniel] (1954) Black Flag bassist/songwriter/co-founder

Christine “Exene” Cervenka (1956) X lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Wild Thing”] and solo singer/guitarist/songwriter

Jani Lane [born John Oswald] (1964) Warrant lead singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/co-founder (died 2011) age 47 – acute alcohol poisoning

Lisa Marie Presley (1968) singer/songwriter, also actress (died 2023) age 54 – cardiac arrest

Patrick Wilson (1969) Weezer drummer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Ron Welty (1971) The Offspring drummer

Big Boi [born Antwan Patton] (1975) Outkast rapper/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Hey Ya!”]

Jason Isbell (1979) singer/songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist

Harry Styles (1994) One Direction singer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

DEATHS

Andy Gill (2020) Gang of Four guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (born 1956) age 64 – respiratory illness

CHARTS

In 1964, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles hits No. 1 – 7 weeks (first of 20 No. 1 singles; first of three consecutive No. 1 singles – “She Loves You” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”)

In 1969, “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James and the Shondells hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (second of two No. 1 singles)

In 1975, “Laughter in the Rain” by Neil Sedaka hits No. 1 – 1 week (second of three No. 1 singles)

In 1992, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by George Michael and Elton John hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single as a duo)

In 2003, “Bump, Bump, Bump” by B2K featuring P. Diddy hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single for B2K; fourth of five No. 1 singles for P. Diddy)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1967, RCA Victor Records releases the second studio album from Jefferson Airplane, “Surrealistic Pillow”; Billboard 200: 3; 500,000 copies U.S.; Rolling Stone 500: 146; “Somebody to Love,” White Rabbit”

In 1970, Philly Groove Records releases the third studio album from The Delfonics, “The Delfonics”; Billboard 200: 61; “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” “Trying to Make a Fool of Me”

In 1972, Reprise Records releases the fourth solo studio album from Neil Young, “Harvest”; Billboard 200: 2 weeks; 7 million copies (4 million copies U.S.); “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man,” “The Needle and the Damage Done”

In 1973, Warner Bros. Records releases the sixth studio album from Alice Cooper, “Billion Dollar Babies”; Billboard 200: 1 (1 week); 1 million copies U.S.; “Elected,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “Billion Dollar Babies”

In 1994, Reprise Records releases the third studio album (and major-label debut) from Green Day, “Dookie”; Billboard 200: 2; 20 million copies (10 million copies U.S.); Rolling Stone 500: 193; “Longview,” “Welcome to Paradise,” “Basket Case,” “When I Come Around,” “She”

In 1999, Beyond Records releases the seventh studio album from Blondie, “No Exit”; Billboard 200: 18; “Maria”

(Singles)

1956, “See You Later, Alligator,” Bill Haley & His Comets

1980, “Call Me,” Blondie

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1988 (12 years and one day after the band formed originally), The Cars disband. Co-lead singer/bassist Benjamin Orr passes away in 2000, and the surviving members reunite in 2010 to record a new album, “Move Like This,” touring briefly.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1949, RCA Records releases the first-ever 45 RPM record and record-playing system, which made the development of the jukebox possible.