March 1 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Frédéric Chopin [born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin] (1810) pianist/composer [“Piano Sonata No. 2” (aka “Funeral March”)/”Nocturne”] (died 1849) age 39 – tuberculosis?

Glenn Miller (1904) trombonist/bandleader/composer [“In the Mood”/”Chattanooga Choo Choo”/”Little Brown Jug”/”Pennsylvania 6-5000”] (died 1944) age 40 – plane crash?

Harry Belafonte [born Harold Bellanfanti Jr.] (1927) singer/songwriter [“The Banana Boat Song”], also actor (died 2023) age 96 – congestive heart failure

Jerry Fisher (1942) Blood, Sweat & Tears co-lead singer

Michael Giles (1942) King Crimson drummer/co-founder

Mike d’Abo (1944) Manfred Mann lead singer/songwriter [“Mighty Quinn”]

Roger Daltrey (1944) The Who lead singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder [current] and solo singer/songwriter/guitarist, also actor

Jon Carroll (1957) Starland Vocal Band singer/keyboardist/guitarist/co-founder [“Afternoon Delight”]

Janis Oliver (1954) Sweethearts of the Rodeo singer/guitarist/co-founder

Nik Kershaw (1958) singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist [“Wouldn’t It Be Good”]

Bill Leen (1962) Gin Blossoms bassist/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Found Out About You”/”Hey Jealousy”]

Rob Affuso (1963) Skid Row drummer/songwriter

Ryan Peake (1973) Nickelback guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Ke$ha [born Kesha Sebert] (1987) singer/songwriter

Justin Bieber (1994) singer/songwriter

DEATHS

Leon Hughes (2023) The Coasters tenor singer/co-founder [“Down in Mexico”/”Searchin'”] (born 1929) age 92 – natural causes

CHARTS

In 1975, “Best of My Love” by The Eagles hits No. 1 – week (first of five No. 1 singles)

In 1986, “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (second and final No. 1 single)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1973, Capitol Records releases the eighth studio album from Pink Floyd, “Dark Side of the Moon”; Billboard 200: 1 (1 week; remained on the chart for a record 741 weeks); 45 million copies (15 million copies U.S.); Rolling Stone 500: 43; “Time,” “Money,” “Us and Them,” “The Great Gig in the Sky,” “Brain Damage”

In 1974, Columbia Records releases the second studio album from Aerosmith, “Get Your Wings”; Billboard 200: 74; 3 million copies U.S.; “Same Old Song and Dance,” “Train Kept A-Rollin'”

In 1990, MCA Records releases the debut studio album from Bell Biv Devoe, “Poison”; Billboard 200: 5; 4 million copies U.S.; “Poison,” “Do Me!”

In 1993, Island Records releases the debut album from The Cranberries, “Everybody Else is Doing It, so Why Can’t We?”; Billboard 200: 18; 6 million copies U.S.; “Linger,” “Dreams”

In 1994, DGC Records releases the debut studio album from Beck, “Mellow Gold”; Billboard 200: 13; 2 million copies U.S.; “Loser”

(Singles)

1957, “School Days,” Chuck Berry

NOTEWORTHY

In 1941, the first commercial FM station (W47NV) launched in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1969, Jim Morrison of The Doors exposed himself during a concert in Miami and four days later would be arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior. He would be found guilty later and sentenced to eight months of hard labor. He moved to Paris and died two years later while the case was on appeal.

In 1994, Nirvana played their last-ever concert at The Terminal Einz in Munich, Germany, a small airport hangar. The power went off during the show and the band did an impromptu acoustic set that included a version of The Cars’ “My Best Friend’s Girl.”