February 22nd, 2018

1962, Elvis Presley was at No.1 o the UK singles chart with ‘Rock-A- Hula Baby / Can’t Help Falling In Love.’ The tracks were from his latest film ‘Blue Hawaii’ and became the singers tenth UK No.1

1967, Pink Floyd continued working on their debut album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn at Abbey Road Studios, London. The Beatles were also working at Abbey Road, recording the giant piano chord for the end of ‘A Day In The Life’ for their Sgt. Pepper’S album.

1969, Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared at The Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England. Support act was David Bowie performing a one-man mime act.

1970, Appearing at The Roundhouse Spring Festival in Camden, London, David Bowie and the Hype, (first live performance of the new band), along with Bachdenkel, Groundhog and Caravan.

1975, Scottish group The Average White Band went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Pick Up The Pieces’, the bands album AWB also went to No.1 on the US chart.

1975, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel had their only UK No.1 single with ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me). Singer Steve Harley said the lyrics were vindictively directed at the former band members, whom he felt had abandoned him.

1978, The Police appeared in a Wrigley’s Chewing Gum commercial for US TV, the band dyed their hair blonde for the appearance.

1981, One Hit Wonder Joe Dolce was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Shaddap You Face,’ famously keeping the legendary Ultravox song, Vienna, off the UK No.1 slot. ‘Shaddap You Face’ was Number 1 in 11 countries with over 35 different foreign language cover versions, selling over 4 million copies.

1986, MTV dedicated a full 22 hours broadcast to The Monkees, showing all 45 episodes of the original The Monkees TV series.

1987, Andy Warhol, pop artist and producer died after a gall bladder operation. The founder of the Pop Art movement, produced and managed the Velvet Underground, designed the 1967 Velvet Underground And Nico ‘peeled banana’ album cover and The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album cover.

1988, Stevie Wonder was awarded the 1998 MusiCares Person Of The Year at a concert in Los Angeles.

1989, A category for Heavy Metal was included at the Grammy Awards for the first time. Metallica performed on stage, but the award went to Jethro Tull. Many audience members booed. Meanwhile, Bobby McFerrin won Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’, Tracy Chapman is named Best New Artist and Tina Turner won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for ‘Tina Live in Europe’.

1992, UK music paper the NME printed their writers all time best debut albums; at No.1, Patti Smith, ‘Horses’, No.2, Joy Division, ‘Unknown Pleasures’, No.3, MC5, ‘Kick Out The Jams, No.4, The Jesus and Mary Chain, ‘Psychocandy’ and No.5, Television, ‘Marquee Moon’.

1992, Shakespears Sister started an eight-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Stay’. The duo was made up of ex Bananarama member Siobhan Fahey and singer Marcella Detroit (who co-wrote ‘Lay Down Sally’ with Eric Clapton). One of the longest running UK No.1’s in chart history and the longest by an all-female act.

1997, No Doubt went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Don’t Speak.’ The third single from the band’s second album Tragic Kingdom was written by Eric Stefani and his sister Gwen Stefani.

1997, The Spice Girls started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Wannabe’, the first UK act to score a No.1 for over 18 months.

2000, The engagement ring Sex Pistol Sid Vicious gave to his girlfriend Nancy Spungen went on sale for auction at £1,500 ($2,550). Sid bought the ring from Camden market in 1977. Also on sale was a pair of John Lennon’s jeans for £2,250 ($3,825).

2001, Winners at the 43rd Grammy Awards included U2, record of the year and song of the year with ‘Beautiful Day’, Steely Dan won album of the year for ‘Two Against Nature’, Macy Gray won Female pop vocal for ‘I Try’, Sting won Male pop vocal for ‘She Walks This Earth’, Eminem won Best Rap album from ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’, Johnny Cash won Best Male country performance for ‘Solitary Man’, and Shelby Lynne won best new artist award.

2002, Drummer Ronnie Verrell died aged 76. Worked with The Ted Heath Orchestra and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Provided the drum licks for Animal in The Muppet Show. When American drummer Buddy Rich, (one of Verrell’s heroes), guested on the show, Verrell (as Animal) had a drumming duel with Rich, and won after Animal smashed a snare drum over Rich’s head.

2002, Two middle-aged women spent the first of eight nights sleeping in a car outside Bournemouth International Centre to make sure they were first in the queue for when tickets to Cliff Richard’s forthcoming concert went on sale.

2003, Sir Paul McCartney played a private show in San Diego for the 50th birthday of Wendy Whitworth, the executive producer of CNN’s Larry King Show. Sir Paul donated his $1 million fee to the Adopt-a-Minefield charity.

2004, Norah Jones started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Feels Like Home’, the singers second US No.1. Usher feat Lil Jon and Ludacris were at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Yeah.’

2004, The Sex Pistols ‘Anarchy in the UK’ was named the most influential record of the 1970s in poll compiled by Q magazine. Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was voted into second place and Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ was third, T Rex ‘Get It On’ was fourth and Special AKA’s ‘Gangsters’ came fifth.

2010, Johnny Marr was said to be “ecstatic” after getting back one of his guitars which had been stolen in 2000 after a gig at the Scala nightclub in Kings Cross, London. Smiths fan Stephen White told a London court he was “disgusted” with himself for taking the £30,000 cherry red 1964 Gibson SG when he went backstage after the gig at The Scala.

2016, American country music singer and songwriter Sonny James, best known for his 1957 hit, ‘Young Love’ died in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 87. Dubbed the Southern Gentleman, James had 72 country and pop chart hits from 1953 to 1983, including 23 No.1 Country hits.

2016, Adele won four prizes including best British female solo artist and best album at this years Brit Awards, Coldplay won Best British group, making them the most successful band in the ceremony’s history. The show also featured an emotional tribute to David Bowie, led by Annie Lennox and his friend Gary Oldman.

2017, David Bowie dominated the 2017 Brit awards. The star was awarded best British male and best British album, for his mournful swansong, Blackstar. Rag ‘N’ Bone man was the other big winner of the night taking home two awards – the critics choice award and best British breakthrough act. As well as honouring Bowie, the Brits paid tribute to George Michael, who died on Christmas day 2016.

(This Day in Music)