Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" Reached #1 In The US On February 28th, 1970

On this day, February 28th, 37 years ago Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water reached the top of the singles charts in the United States and it stayed at the top of the charts for six weeks. The song also went to #1 in the UK.

It went on to win the Grammy for both song of the year (songwriters award for Paul Simon) and record of the year.

Simon & Garfunkel split up in 1970 and ironically this song which was their biggest commercial success is often pinpointed as the breaking point. With Simon upset that he had Garfunkel sing the song's lead part because he felt Garfunkle was getting too much credit for his song.

Bridge Over Troubled Water has been covered by numerous artists including Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, LeAnn Rimes, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox, Charlotte Church, and Willie Nelson.

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The video below is from the famous Simon & Garfunkel reunion concert at Central Park in New York City in 1981.



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The Pink Floyd finishes recording of "Arnold Layne" on February 27th, 1967

40 years ago today, February 27th, The Pink Floyd (yes they were The Pink Floyd in those days) finished the recording of the psychedelic pop single "Arnold Layne."

"Arnold Layne" was not included on The Pink Floyd's classic psychedelic album "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" which was released later in 1967.

The Pink Floyd's lineup at that time was Syd Barrett on Guitar and Vocals, Roger Waters on Bass, Richard Wright on Organ, and Nick Mason on Drums. As with almost all of The Pink Floyd songs of this era, Barrett was the principle songwriter of "Arnold Layne."

"Arnold Layne" was released on March 11, 1967 in the UK and went to #20 in the UK charts.

This was also one of the first songs to have a music video recorded for it:



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Johnny Cash was born on February 26th, 1932

Johnny Cash would have been 75 years old today, February 26th.

Cash is one of the most influential and widely appreciated country music performers of all time. His most famous songs include "I Walk the Line", "Fosom Prison Blues" and "Ring of Fire." Cash, unlike most country musicians, has a large crossover appeal for fans who are not normally interested in country music. Later in life Cash recorded covers of songs from artists such as Nine Inch Nails who are very removed from the country music scene.

Check out this video for Cash's "God's Gonna Cut You Down" it features the following people: Iggy Pop, Kanye West, Chris Martin, Kris Kristofferson, Patti Smith, Terrence Howard, Flea, Q-Tip, Adam Levine, Chris Rock, Justin Timberlake, Kate Moss, Sir Peter Blake, Sheryl Crow, Dennis Hopper, Woody Harrelson, Amy Lee, Tommy Lee, Dixie Chicks, Mick Jones, Sharon Stone, Bono, Shelby Lynne, Anthony Kiedis, Travis Barker, Lisa Marie Presley, Kid Rock, Jay Z, Keith Richards, Billy Gibbons, Corinne Bailey Rae, Johnny Depp, Graham Nash, Brian Wilson, Rick Rubin, Owen Wilson



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Ralph Stanley was born on February 25th, 1927

Bluegrass musician Ralph Stanley turned 80 years old today, February 25th. Stanley is known among bluegrass enthusiasts as "Dr. Ralph Stanley."

Stanley created a new style of playing the banjo which is sometimes called the "Stanley Style."

Stanley's music was featured in the hit film "O Brother Where Art Thou?"

See & hear Ralph Stanley singing the song "Oh Death" in 2006 :



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Kurt Cobain marries Courtney Love - February 24, 1992

15 years ago today, February 24th, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love got married in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Short interview with Cobain from 1993 where he talks about how life is better with his "mate" (Love)



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Sly & The Family Stone - #1 on the US charts with "Everyday People" - February 23, 1969

38 years ago today, February 23, Sly and the Family Stone was at #1 on the US charts with the single "Everyday People"

Live Performance Of "Everyday People" At An Outdoor Concert:



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Blur at #1 in the UK charts - February 22, 1997

Blur's self titled album "Blur" was #1 in the UK charts 10 years ago today, February 22nd.

This album featured "Song 2" which became the bands biggest US hit.

See and hear the video for "Song 2" below:



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Fleetwood Mac releases the classic album Rumours - February 21, 1977

30 years ago today Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" was released. It went on to sell more than 15 million copies and it spent 31 weeks at #1 in the US.

"Go Your Own Way" by Lindsey Buckingham was one of the tracks on this album. Below you can see a reunited Fleetwood Mac performing this song in 1997.



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The Great White fire was on February 20, 2003

On this day, four years ago, there was a fire started at a gig by 80s rockers Great White. The fire was started by the pyrotechnics and it killed 100 people including Great White member Ty Longley.

This horrible event took place in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

See Great White during better days below. This is the video of their 1980s hit "Once Bitten Twice Shy"




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Ozzie Osbourne arrested for urinating on the Alamo on February 19th, 1982

25 years ago today, February 19th, Ozzie Osbourne was famously arrested in San Antonio, Texas for public urination at the Alamo. There are rumors that he was wearing a dress at the time of this arrest but I have found some information conflicting this rumor.

Included below is a 2006 interview of Ozzie Osbourne by Henry Rollins.



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Yoko Ono born on February 18th, 1933

Yoko Ono turns 74 today, February 18th.

Ono is best known as being John Lennon's wife and now unfortunatly as Lennons widow.

She was an active partner with Lennon on many of his solo recordings and she is also heard on some Beatles recordings including "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" and "Revolution #9"

Yoko Ono has also released music under her own name. Her most recent album is 2007's "Yes, I'm A Witch" which is a very interesting collaborative effort in which artists such as The Flaming Lips and Cat Power took tracks that Ono had recorded previously and recorded new music to mix with Ono's vocals. Some also included some of the original instrumentation in the mix.

Included below is a video of a track called "New York Woman" from her 1995 album "Rising"



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Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong born on February 17, 1972

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day turns 35 today, February 17th.

Armstrong is the lead singer for the pop-punk group that formed in Berkely, California in 1988 when Billie Joe was only 16 years old. Green Day has been a very successful band commercially since the 1994 release of the album "Dookie"

Here's the video for "When I Come Around" one of the hit singles off the Dookie album.



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"Cher" premiers on CBS - February 16, 1975

On this day, February 16th, 32 years ago Cher's show premiered on US television on the CBS network. The show is titled "Cher" She previously had a show with her ex husband Sonny Bono. Her first guest on her new show was Elton John.

Here's a short clip of Cher and Elton John with Bette Middler ... I'm not sure if this is from this program - but I think it is. The quality of the video isn't so great unfortunately.




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Linda Ronstadt hits #1 in the US with "You're No Good" - February 15, 1975

32 years ago today, February 15th, Linda Ronstadt hit #1 on the US charts with her single "You're No Good"

See the video below of Linda performing this hit song in 1980



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The Who - Live At Leeds - February 14, 1970

37 years ago today, February 14th (Valentine's Day), The Who played live at Leeds University in England. This performance was recorded and was the source of The Who's live album "Live At Leeds" often noted as one of the top live rock albums ever.

Here's a clip from a BBC documentary about this concert from 2005.



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Marvin Gaye Sings America's National Anthem at the NBA All Star Game on February 13th, 1983

Marvin Gaye sings the American National Anthem before the start of the NBA All Star Game 24 years ago today, February 13th. This performance is ranked by most as one of the best renditions of the American National Anthem of all time.

See and hear this performance in the video below:



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John Lennon performs "Instant Karma" on Top of the Pops on February 12, 1970

John Lennon became the first Beatle to perform on the UK music program Top of the Pops since 1966 when he played his solo single "Instant Karma" 37 years ago today, February 12th.

See below for the live performance of "Instant Karma" by John Lennon:



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Paula Abdul - #1 on the charts in the US with "Straight Up" - February 11, 1989

Paula Abdul's first of three #1 singles in 1989 was "Straight Up" and this was the first of three weeks that "Straight Up" would be the #1 single in the United States. It went to #3 on the UK singles charts.

See the video from "Straight Up" below:


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Michael Jackson Interview On The Oprah Winfrey Show February 10, 1993

14 years ago today Michael Jackson gave his first televised interview in 14 years (since 1979) on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Here's a clip of the interview which took place at his Neverland Ranch in California. In this clip MJ showcases his beatboxing skills.



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The Beatles "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" videos on Top of the Pops - February 9, 1967

40 years ago today the videos made for "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were shown on the Brit music show "Top of the Pops." "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were at the time on the Beatles latest single release. This incredible combination of two of the best songs ever recorded made this double A-side arguably the greatest single ever released. Fittingly enough it was the first Beatles single not to go to #1 (it only made it to #2) on the UK charts since 1963. #1 on the charts that week? Englebert Humperdink's "Release Me." No Accounting For Taste.

Below you can watch these two videos. Imagine them in black & white because that's how most of the viewers saw them in February 1967!

"Penny Lane" Video



"Strawberry Fields Forever" Video



Also extremely interesting to people really interested in music production and the details of things may want to hear George Martin (the Beatles legendary producer) talking about working on "Strawberry Fields Forever"



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Oasis forced to cancel first foreign tour - February 8, 1994

13 years ago today Oasis was forced to cancel their first foreign tour. Oasis was involved in a brawl on a ferry. Members of the band were arrested and locked in the brig. They were then deported from Holland and sent packing back to England. This was well before their debut album Definitly Maybe was released in August of 1994 and before even their first single release "Supersonic" in April 1994.



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Kool & The Gang's "Celebration" Hits #1 On The US Charts - February 7, 1981

This song was one of those ones that seemed to always be playing during the 80s.

Funnily enough as a kid I always heard the main line as "Celebration Times" but it's actually "Celebrate Good Times"

Enjoy for yourself: Kool And The Gang's "Celebration"



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Kraftwerk first German group to hit #1 in the UK - February 6, 1982

25 years ago today Kraftwerk's single "The Model/Computer Love" hit #1 in the UK becoming the first German group to do so.

Kraftwerk is a seminal group in the world of electronic music and their music influenced everyone from David Bowie to Orbital.

"The Model"



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Bobby Brown born on February 5th, 1969

Bobby Brown turns 38 today, being born 38 years ago today in Boston, Mass.

Bobby got his career started with New Edition in 1980. He was later kicked out of the group for behaviorial issues.

In 1988 he released his Don't Be Cruel album which made him a solo star. It included the #1 single "My Prerogative" and other hits such as "Every Little Step" which he won a Grammy in 1989 for (Best Male Rhythem & Blues Vocal Performance.)

The album sold 7 million copies. This was the peak of his solo career.

In 1992 he married pop superstar Whitney Houston.

"Every Little Step"



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John Lennon & Yoko Ono Donate Their Hair To The Black Power Movement - Feb. 4th, 1970

On this day 37 years ago John Lennon and Yoko Ono donated their hair to the Black Power movement.

This doesn't really have anything to do with this - but it's kind of interesting: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Chuck Berry (well he's black) on the Mike Douglas show making macrobiotic food:



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"Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers #1 in the US - February 3, 1968

"one hit wonders" The Lemon Pipers hit the top of the charts in the United States with "Green Tambourine" (the song was No. 7 in the UK) on February 3rd, 1968

See The Video For The Song:



The Lemon Pipers formed in Cincinnati, OH in 1967 and disbanded in 1969. But in 1968 they were #1 on the charts!

Members Included:
Singer - Ivan Browne
Guitarist - William Bartlett
Keyboardist - R.G. Nave
Bassist - Steve Walmsley
Drummer - William Albaugh

"Green Tambourine" was written by the songwriting team Paul Leka and Shelley Pinz. This song was apparently recorded by The Lemon Pipers under the demands of their record company.

The song appeared on the album by the same name. It also features another Leka/Pinz penned songs such as "Rice Is Nice" and some apparently more "freak out" type stuff as well (written by the band) like "50 Year Void" and "Through With You." I've not heard the album myself but I am a bit curious. If you have heard this album please comment!

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Jimi Hendrix - "Purple Haze" on the Top of the Pops - February 2, 1967

How quickly things were changing. My last post the Beatles were invading America with "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and only three years later things had gotten quite crazy. The psychedelic era had begun. Jimi Hendrix performing "Purple Haze" on the Top of the Pops. 40 years ago today. It's all very amazing, but it's all exactly as it is. Is it not?

Watch for yourself:



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The Beatles "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - #1 on the US charts - February 1, 1964

On February 1, 1964 (43 years ago today.) The Beatles started a 7 week run at #1 on the US singles charts with "I Want To Hold Your Hand."

This was the beginning (atleast as far as the United States is concerned) of a musical revolution we are still feeilng the effects of today. In fact I think The Beatles effect not only on popular music but our entire world is incalculable. If you take the Beatles out of our history you would have to completely rewrite it. I'm not really sure what would have happened.

I Want To Hold Your Hand remains the beatles all time highest selling single (despite what some erroronious reports say about Hey Jude besting it with it's run in 1968.)



This was the first #1 hit in the US by a band from the United Kingdom since The Tornados "Telstar" in 1962.

This is my first entry. Most days there will be an entry like this talking about something that happened on that day however many years ago. Some days there may be more than one entry. Some there won't be any.

This combines two of my favorite subjects. Music and Time. One thing I find very interesting about 1964. In 1964, 1921 was 43 years ago. If I think about that a bit it puts later Beatles songs like "When I'm 64" and "Your Mother Should Know" in a totally different light.

Alright, as you can see, I want things to be a bit open here. I want to use the topic, whatever it is, as a stepping off point to having some sort of discussion. Please comment and let me know what you think. Assuming that you do.

I've got big plans for this site. This music by day thing will be here on the main part of the site and it'll be updated frequently with interesting tidbits from music's past. I'll also be including an album review section. I'll be doing my own reviews as well as accepting guest reviews.

Enjoy yourself. Have some tea. And some donuts. I'm hungry.

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