February 21 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Nina Simone [born Eunice Waymon] (1933) R&B and jazz singer/songwriter/pianist (died 2003) age 70 – breast cancer

Paul Newton (1948) Uriah Heep bassist/songwriter/co-founder

Jerry Harrison (1949) The Modern Lovers guitarist/songwriter/co-founder and Talking Heads keyboardist/guitarist [“Life During Wartime”/”Once in a Lifetime”/”Burning Down the House”]

Vince Welnick (1951) Tubes keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder and Grateful Dead keyboardist (died 2006) age 55 – suicide

Jean-Jacques “JJ” Burnel (1952) Stranglers bassist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Lester Hunt (1956) Climax Blues Band guitarist [current]

Steve Nieve [born Steven Nason] (1958) Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello keyboardist/co-founder and the Impostors keyboardist/co-founder [current]

Mary Chapin Carpenter (1958) country singer/songwriter/guitarist

Steve Wynn (1960) The Dream Syndicate lead singer/guitarist drummer/songwriter/co-founder

Randy Rampage [born Randall Archibald] (1960) D.O.A. bassist/singer/co-founder (died 2018) age 58 – unknown causes

Ranking Roger [born Roger Charlery] (1963) The English Beat and General Public co-lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [“Save It for Later”] (died 2019) age 56 – lung cancer

Michael Ward (1967) School of Fish guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“3 Strange Days”] and The Wallflowers guitarist

James Dean Bradfield (1969) Manic Street Preachers lead guitarist/lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Eric Wilson (1970) Sublime bassist/co-founder

Charlotte Church (1986) singer/songwriter, also actor

DEATHS

Peter Tork [born Peter Thorkelson] (2019) The Monkees bassist/keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder (born 1942) age 77 – adenoid cystic carcinoma

CHARTS

In 1981, “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)

In 2004, “Slow Jamz” by Twista featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single for Twista; first of four singles for West; and second first of two No. 1 singles for Foxx)

In 2009, “Crack a Bottle” by Eminem featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent hits No. 1 – 1 week (second of five No. 1 singles for Eminem; third and final No. 1 single for Dr. Dre; and fourth and final No. 1 single for 50 Cent)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1970, Warner Bros. Records releases the second studio album from James Taylor, “Sweet Baby James”; Billboard 200: 3; 3 million copies U.S.; Rolling Stone 500: 103; “Sweet Baby James,” “Fire and Rain”

In 1975, RCA Records releases the ninth studio album from David Bowie, “Young Americans”; Billboard 200: 9; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Young Americans,” “Fame”

(Singles)

1966, “Good Lovin’,” The Young Rascals

1972, “Rock and Roll,” Led Zeppelin

1973, “Frankenstein,” The Edgar Winter Group

1975, “Young Americans,” David Bowie

1977, “Hotel California,” The Eagles

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1964, The Echoes hire a new pianist named Billy Joel, which provides him his first professional experience.