February 24 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

David “Fathead” Newman (1933) Ray Charles saxophonist [“The Right Time”] and solo saxophonist/flautist/composer (died 2009) age 75 – pancreatic cancer

Paul Jones [born Paul Pond] (1942) Manfred Mann lead singer/harmonica player/songwriter/co-founder [“Do Wah Diddy Diddy”]

George Harrison (1943) The Beatles guitarist/singer/sitarist/songwriter/co-founder, The Traveling Wilburys singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder and solo singer/songwriter/guitarist

Nicky Hopkins (1944) Quicksilver Messenger Service, Rolling Stones, and The Kinks pianist/organist (died 1994) age 50 – intestinal surgery complications

Clive Scott (1945) Jigsaw co-lead singer/drummer/songwriter/co-founder [“Sky High”] (died 2009) age 64 – accident

Leonard “Lonnie” Turner (1947) Steve Miller Band bassist/co-founder (died 2013) age 66 – lung cancer

Rupert Holmes [born David Goldstein] (1947) singer/songwriter/composer [“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”]

George Thorogood (1950) George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers guitarist/singer/songwriter

Bob Abrams (1955) The Buckinghams guitarist

Toby Beau [born Beldemar Silva Jr.] The Toby Beau Band guitarist/songwriter/founder [current] [“My Angel Baby”]

Sammy Kershaw (1958) country singer/guitarist

Colin Farley (1959) Cutting Crew bassist/songwriter/co-founder

Michelle Shocked [born Karen Johnson] (1962) singer/songwriter/guitarist [“Anchorage”]

Chris “#3” Fehn (1973) Slipknot drummer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Matt Skiba (1976) Alkaline Trio co-lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder and Blink-182 guitarist [current]

John Nolan (1978) Taking Back Sunday guitarist/co-lead singer/keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

DEATHS

Johnnie Ray (1990) singer/songwriter/pianist [“Just Walkin’ in the Rain”] (born 1927) age 63 – hepatic encephalopathy

Webb Pierce (1991) country singer/songwriter/guitarist [“In the Jailhouse Now”] (born 1921) age 69 – pancreatic cancer

Dinah Shore [born Fannye Shore] (1994) singer, also actress (born 1916) age 77 – ovarian cancer

CHARTS

In 1973, “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Roberta Flack hits No. 1 – 5 weeks (second of three No. 1 singles)

In 2001, “Stutter” by Joe featuring Mystikal hits No. 1 – 4 weeks (second and final No. 1 single)

In 2007, “Say It Right” by Nelly Furtado hits No. 1 – 1 week (third of five No. 1 singles)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1975, Swan Song Records releases the sixth studio album from Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti”; Billboard 200: 11; 9 million copies (8 million copies U.S.); Rolling Stone 500: 70; “Trampled Under Foot,” “Kashmir,” “Ten Years Gone,” “In My Time of Dying,” “The Rover”

In 1981, RCA Records releases the fifth studio album from Rick Springfield, “Working Class Dog”; Billboard 200: 7; 3 million copies U.S.; Grammy Award: Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male; “Jessie’s Girl,” “Love I Alright Tonite”

In 1998, Aware Records releases the debut studio album from Train, “Train”; Billboard 200: 76; 1 million copies U.S.; “Meet Virginia,” “Free” “I Am”

(Singles)

1969, “Galveston,” Glen Campbell

1970, “ABC,” Jackson Five

1975, “Philadelphia Freedom,” Elton John

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1973, The Byrds perform live for the final time at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey.