February 27 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Dexter Gordon (1923) jazz saxophonist/composer, also actor (died 1990) age 67 – kidney failure

Eddie Gray (1948) Tommy James & the Shondells guitarist [“I Think We’re Alone Now”/”Mony, Mony”]

Bobby Balderrama (1950) ? & the Mysterians lead guitarist/co-founder [“96 Tears”]

Neal Schon (1954) Santana guitarist, Bad English guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“When I See You Smile”/”Price of Love”], and Journey guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Adrian Smith (1957) Iron Maiden guitarist/songwriter/singer [current] [“The Number of the Beast”/”Run to the Hills”]

Johnny Van Zant (1959) Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer/songwriter [current] and Van Zant co-lead singer/co-founder

Paul Humphreys (1960) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark co-lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [“If You Leave”/”Enola Gay”]

Mike Cross (1965) Sponge guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“Plowed”] (died 2022) age 57 – unknown causes

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas (1971) TLC singer/songwriter/co-founder

Josh Groban (1981) singer/songwriter

DEATHS

Frankie Lymon (1968) Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [“Why Do Fools Fall in Love”] (born 1942) age 25 – heroin overdose

Van Cliburn (2013) pianist (born 1934) age 78 – prostate cancer

CHARTS

In 1954, “Secret Love” by Doris Day hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (fifth and final No. 1 single)

In 1961, “Pony Time” by Chubby Checker hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (second No. 1 single; “The Twist” went to No. 1 in 1960 and again in 1962)

In 1988, “Father Figure” by George Michael hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (second of five No. 1 solo singles)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1974, RCA Records releases the 13th studio album from Dolly Parton, “Jolene”; “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You”

In 1978, Casablanca Records releases the second studio album from the Village People, “Macho Man”; Billboard 200: 24; 1 million copies U.S.; “Macho Man,” “Key West”

In 1984, Capitol Records releases the 11th studio album from Queen, “The Works”; Billboard 200: 23 5 million copies (500,000 copies U.S.); “Radio Ga Ga,” “I Want to Break Free”

(Singles)

1961, “Runaway,” Del Shannon

1961, “Blue Moon,” The Marcels

1990, “Hold On,” Wilson Phillips

1996, “Ironic,” Alanis Morissette

NOTEWORTHY

In 2015, Gary Glitter is sentenced by a British judge to 16 years in prison for attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one count of having sex with a girl under 13.