February 28 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Tommy Tune (1939) singer, also actor/dancer/choreographer

Joe South [born Joseph Souter] (1940) singer/songwriter/guitarist [“Games People Play”] (died 2012) age 72 – heart failure

Marty Sanders [born Martin Kupersmith] (1941) Jay and the Americans guitarist [current] [“This Magic Moment”]

Brian Jones (1942) Rolling Stones guitarist/songwriter/founder (died 1969) age 27 – death by misadventure

Donnie Iris [born Dominic Ierace] (1943) The Jaggerz lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“The Rapper”], Wild Cherry guitarist, and solo singer/guitarist/songwriter [“Ah!  Leah”/”Love is Like a Rock”]

Ronnie Rosman (1945) Tommy James & the Shondells keyboardist

Bernadette Peters [born Bernadette Lazzara] (1948) singer [“Gee Whiz”], also actress

Geoff Nicholls (1948) Black Sabbath keyboardist/bassist/songwriter (died 2017) age 68 – lung cancer

Eddie “Kingfish” Manion (1952) Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes saxophonist/co-founder

Paul Delph (1957) singer/songwriter/keyboardist (died 1996) age 39 – Complications from HIV/AIDS

Ian Stanley (1957) Tears for Fears keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder

Phil Gould (1957) Level 42 drummer/songwriter/co-founder [“Something About You”]

Cindy Wilson (1957) The B-52s co-lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Pat Monahan (1969) Train lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [“Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)”/”Hey, Soul Sister”/”Meet Virginia”]

Jason Aldean [born Jason Williams] (1977) country singer/guitarist/songwriter

DEATHS

David Byron [born David Garrick] (1985) Uriah Heep lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [“Easy Livin'”] (born 1947) age 38 – liver disease

Chris Curtis [born Christopher Crummey] (2005) The Searchers lead singer/drummer [“Needles and Pins”/”Love Potion No. 9”] (born 1941) age 63 – unknown causes

Billy Thorpe (2007) Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder and solo singer/guitarist/songwriter [“Children of the Sun”] (born 1946) age 60 – heart attack

Mike Smith (2008) The Dave Clark Five lead singer/keyboardist/songwriter [“Glad All Over”/”Bits and Pieces”/”Catch Us If You Can”] (born 1943) age 64 – pneumonia

CHARTS

In 1970, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel hits No. 1 – 6 weeks (third and final No. 1 single)

In 1976, “Theme From ‘S.W.A.T.'” by Rhythm Heritage hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single; first TV theme song to reach No. 1)

In 1981, “I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)

In 1998, “My Heart Will Go On” by Céline Dion hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (third of four No. 1 singles)

In 2004, “Yeah!” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris hits No. 1 – 12 weeks (fourth of nine No. 1 singles for Usher, only No. 1 single for Lil Jon, and second of five No. 1 singles for Ludacris)

In 2009, “Right Round” by Flo Rida No. 1 – 6 weeks (second of three No. 1 singles)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1983, Island Records releases the third studio album from U2, “War”; Billboard 200: 12; 4 million copies U.S.; Rolling Stone 500: 223; “New Year’s Day,” “Two Hearts Beat as One,” “Sunday Bloody Sunday”

In 1983, Beserkley Records releases the eighth studio album from the Greg Kihn Band, “Kihnspiracy”; Billboard 200: 15; “Jeopardy”

In 1984, Rock ‘n Roll Records releases the second studio album from “Weird Al” Yankovic, “‘Weird Al’ Yankovic in 3-D”; Billboard 200: 16; 1 million copies; “Eat It,” “I Lost on Jeopardy”

(Singles)

1966, “Kicks,” Paul Revere & the Raiders

1972, “Give Ireland Back to the Irish,” Paul McCartney