February 22 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Norman “Hurricane” Smith (1923) record producer and musician [“Oh, Babe, What Would You Say?”] (died 2008) age 85 – cancer

Guy Mitchell [born Albert Cernik] (1927) singer [“Singing the Blues”/”Heartaches by the Number”], also actor (died 1999) age 72 – cancer surgery complications

Texas Johnny Brown [born John Brown] (1928) blues guitarist/songwriter/singer [“Two Steps From the Blues”] (died 2013) age 85 – lung cancer

Ernie K-Doe [born Ernest Kador Jr.] (1933) R&B singer [“Mother-in-Law”] (died 2001) age 68 – kidney and liver failure

Bobby Hendricks (1938) The Drifters lead tenor singer and solo singer (died 2022) age 84 – Alzheimer’s disease

Michael “Mick” Green (1944) Johnny Kidd & the Pirates and Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas lead guitarist (died 2010) age 65 – heart failure

Oliver [born William Swofford] (1945) singer [“Good Morning Starshine”] (died 2000) age 54 – non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Steve Holland (1954) Molly Hatchet guitarist/co-founder (died 2020) age 66 – unknown causes

Dave “The Beast” Spitz (1958) Black Sabbath and Great White bassist/songwriter

Bradley Nowell (1968) Sublime lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (died 1996) age 28 – heroin overdose

Scott “Flip” Phillips (1973) Creed drummer/songwriter/co-founder [“With Arms Wide Open”] and Alter Bridge drummer/songwriter/co-founder

James Blunt [born James Blount] (1974) singer/songwriter/guitarist [“You’re Beautiful”]

DEATHS

Florence Ballard (1976) The Supremes singer/co-founder (born 1943) age 32 – heart attack

Sonny James [born Jimmie Loden] (2016) country singer/songwriter/guitarist [“Young Love”] (born 1928) age 87 – natural causes

Mark Lanegan (2022) Screaming Trees lead singer/songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist/co-founder [“Nearly Lost You”/”All I Know”], Queens of the Stone Age co-lead singer/songwriter/keyboardist and solo singer/songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist (born 1964) age 57 – unknown causes

CHARTS

In 1960, “The Theme From ‘A Summer Place'” by Percy Faith & His Orchestra hits No. 1 – 9 weeks (only No. 1 single)

In 1975, “Pick Up the Pieces” by the Average White Band hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single)

In 1997, “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls hits No. 1 – 4 weeks (only No. 1 single)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1983, Columbia Records releases the eighth studio album from Journey, “Frontiers”; Billboard 200: 2; 6 million copies U.S.; “Separate Ways,” “Faithfully,” “After the Fall,” “Send Her My Love”

In 1983, “A&M Records releases the 11th studio album from Styx, “Kilroy Was Here”; Billboard 200: 3; 1 million copies U.S.; “Don’t Let It End,” “High Time,” “Mr. Roboto”

In 1990, Warner Bros. releases the debut studio album from Damn Yankees, “Damn Yankees”; Billboard 200: 13; 2 million copies U.S.; “High Enough,” “Come Again,” “Coming of Age”

In 1993, Capitol Records releases the debut studio album from Radiohead, “Pablo Honey”; Billboard 200: 32; 1 million copies U.S.; “Creep”

In 1998, Maverick/Warner Bros. Records releases the seventh studio album from Madonna, “Ray of Light”; Billboard 200: 2; 12 million copies (4 million copies U.S.); “Frozen,” “Ray of Light,” “The Power of Good-Bye”

In 2011, XL Records and Columbia Records releases the second studio album from Adele, “21”; Billboard 200: 1 (24 weeks); 31 million copies (12 million copies U.S.); Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Producer of the Year, Non-Classical; “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” “Set Fire to the Rain,” “Rumour Has It,” “Turning Tables”

(Singles)

1971, “Joy to the World,” Three Dog Night

1977, “Hotel California,” The Eagles

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1993, Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson announces he is leaving the band to pursue a solo career. He returns to the band in 1999.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1956, Elvis Presley enters the top singles charts for the first time with “Heartbreak Hotel.”