TODAY IN HISTORY – FEBRUARY 13th
1944 - Born this day, Peter Tork, in Washington DC, vocals, keyboards, bass, The Monkees, 1967 UK and US No.1 single I'm A Believer, plus 10 US and 8 UK top 40 singles.
1950 - Born this day, Peter Gabriel, UK rock singer, vocals, Genesis and solo, 1974 UK No.21 single I Know What I Like In Your Wardrobe, left Genesis in 1975, solo, 1986 US No.1 and UK No.4 single Sledgehammer from the 1986 UK No.1 and US No.2 album So, 1980 UK No.4 single Games Without Frontiers, 1992 UK No.2 album Us.
1952 - Born this day, Ed Gagliardi, bass, Foreigner, 1985 UK and US No.1 single I Want To Know What Love Is.
1961 - Frank Sinatra launched his own record label, Reprise Records, in order to allow more artistic freedom for his own recordings. Hence, he garnered the nickname “The Chairman of the Board.” One of the label’s founding principles under Sinatra’s leadership was that each artist would have full creative freedom, and at some point complete ownership of their work; including publishing rights. Reprise later became the home of many influential US acts such as Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman and The Beach Boys.
1966 - Born this day, Freedom Williams, singer, C&C Music Factory, 1991 UK No.4 single Things That Make You Go Hmmm..., 1991 US No.1 single Gonna Make You Sweat.
1967 - The Monkees announced that from now on they would be playing on their own recordings instead of session musicians.
1967 - The Beatles released the double A sided single 'Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane' on Capitol Records in the US. The single spent 10 weeks on the chart peaking at No.1.
1969 - Bob Dylan recorded versions of 'Lay, Lady, Lay', at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. 'Lay Lady Lay' was originally written for the soundtrack of the movie Midnight Cowboy, but wasn't submitted in time to be included in the finished film. The song has gone on to become a standard and has been covered by numerous bands and artists over the years, including The Byrds, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, Melanie, The Isley Brothers, Duran Duran, Hoyt Axton and Isaac Hayes amongst others.
1970 - On this day, Friday the 13th, Black Sabbath released their debut self-titled studio album on Vertigo records in the UK. Peaking at No.8 on the charts, the album has been recognised as the first main album to be credited with the development of the heavy metal genre.
1971 - Ike and Tina Turner's Proud Mary entered the Billboard charts, eventually reaching No.4.
1971 - The Osmonds started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'One Bad Apple'. The group had been appearing on TV in the US from 1962, on the Andy Williams Show and then the Jerry Lewis show.
1973 - After becoming ill during a concert in Las Vegas Elvis Presley presented Doctor Sidney Bowers with a Lincoln Continental to show his appreciation for all his work.
1974 - David Bowie turned down an offer from the Gay Liberation group to compose 'the world's first Gay National Anthem'.
1974 - Born this day, Robbie Williams [Robert Peter Williams], in Stoke On Trent, England, formally with Take That the biggest UK boy band of the 90's. 1995 UK No.1 single 'Back For Good' and seven other UK No.1 singles. Robbie quit Take That on 17 July 1995. His biggest hit was Angels in 1998, his first UK No.1 Millennium in 1998. He's had three UK No.1 albums. Robbie and his co-writer Guy Chambers won songwriters of the year at the 1999 Ivor Novello songwriting awards.
1976 - Genesis released their first album since the departure of Peter Gabriel, A Trick Of The Tail featuring 8 new tracks with drummer Phil Collins taking on the role of lead vocalist.
1977 - Julie Covington was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', taken from the Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical Evita. Covington had been in the 1977 UK TV series based on an all female group called Rock Follies. Madonna had a hit with her version of the song in 1996.
1978 - Dire Straits began recording their first album at Basing Street Studios, London. The whole project cost £12,500 ($21,250) to produce. The album which featured the group's breakthrough single 'Sultans of Swing' went on to enjoy a 132 week run on the UK chart. The inspiration for 'Sultans of Swing' came from Mark Knopfler witnessing a mediocre jazz band playing in the corner of a practically deserted pub. At the end of their performance, the lead singer came up to the microphone and announced that they were the "Sultans of Swing."
1980 - Police raided the home of John Lydon who greeted them waving a ceremonial sword, the only illegal item they found was a canister of tear gas, claimed to be for defence against intruders.
1981 - 'One Plus One' cassettes were launched by Island Records, one side had one of their artists albums and the other was blank so you could record on it!
1982 - The marble slab was stolen from the grave of Lynyrd Skynyrd's singer Ronnie Van Zant, police found it two weeks later in a dried-up river bed.
1989 - Michael Jackson fired his manager, Dileo who reportedly was seeking a $60 million settlement to prevent him revealing Jackson's life style to the press.
1989 - This years Brit Awards was hosted by Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood in which just about everything went wrong - lines were fluffed and bands mis-cued onto the stage. Winners included Phil Collins who won British Male Solo Artist, British Female Solo Artist was Annie Lennox, Erasure won Best British Group, Best British Album went to Fairground Attraction for 'First Of A Million Kisses', British Breakthrough Act was Bros, Michael Jackson won International Male, International Female went to Tracey Chapman and U2 won Best International Group. This was the last year the show was broadcast live.
1993 - Founder member of Musical Youth, Patrick Waite died aged 24, of natural causes (hereditary heart condition), whilst awaiting a court appearance on drug charges. Scored the 1982 UK No.1 and Grammy-nominated single 'Pass the Dutchie.'
1996 - Take That split up, the biggest band of the 1990s announced their demise in front of the world's press at The Hilton in Manchester, the band had achieved 7 No.1 singles and 2 No.1 albums. They released one more single and a Greatest Hits album.
1997 - Born this day, Prince Michael Jackson Jr, Michael Jackson became a father when Debbie Rowe gave birth to a baby boy.
1998 - Former Stone Roses singer Ian Brown, was arrested by police at Manchester Airport after an incident during a flight from Paris, he was found guilty in August the same year and jailed for 4 months, British Airways also banned him from flying with the airline.
2000 - Oasis scored their fifth UK No.1 single with 'Go Let It Out'. The first release on the bands 'Big Brother' label and the first single from their fourth studio album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.
2002 - Died this day, Waylon Jennings, country singer, songwriter, after a lengthy fight with diabetes. As a member of the Crickets, gave up his plane seat to the Big Bopper on the 'day the music died'.
2004 - Led Zeppelin were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Grammys. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham all attended. Robert Plant did not, since he was working on a new album and tour.
2007 - Robbie Williams checked into rehab on his birthday to deal with an addiction to prescription drugs. The singer, who was 33 today, was admitted into an unnamed clinic in the US.
2007 - Rod Stewart was paid $1million when he performed at a billionaire's birthday bash. Stewart was booked to play a one-hour gig to help Steve Schwarzman celebrate his 60th birthday held at New York's Park Avenue Armory.
2008 - Former Blue singer Lee Ryan was charged with an attack on a taxi driver in Surrey. The 24-year-old was accused of assaulting the man following a minor traffic accident in Oxted on New Year's Eve
2012 – Adele cleans up the Grammy Awards with 6 in total including the coveted song, record and album of the year. She also performs in what is her first public appearance since undergoing throat surgery. Adeles 6 Grammys equals Beyonces haul which is an individual record for a female solo artist. Foo Fighters have a good night as well with 5 Grammys. The night is overshadowed by the death of Whitney Houston 2 days earlier.
2013 - Lady Gaga was forced to postponed her world tour after sustaining an injury which left her unable to walk. The singer had severe inflammation of the joints, known as synovitis.
1944 - Born this day, Peter Tork, in Washington DC, vocals, keyboards, bass, The Monkees, 1967 UK and US No.1 single I'm A Believer, plus 10 US and 8 UK top 40 singles.
1950 - Born this day, Peter Gabriel, UK rock singer, vocals, Genesis and solo, 1974 UK No.21 single I Know What I Like In Your Wardrobe, left Genesis in 1975, solo, 1986 US No.1 and UK No.4 single Sledgehammer from the 1986 UK No.1 and US No.2 album So, 1980 UK No.4 single Games Without Frontiers, 1992 UK No.2 album Us.
1952 - Born this day, Ed Gagliardi, bass, Foreigner, 1985 UK and US No.1 single I Want To Know What Love Is.
1961 - Frank Sinatra launched his own record label, Reprise Records, in order to allow more artistic freedom for his own recordings. Hence, he garnered the nickname “The Chairman of the Board.” One of the label’s founding principles under Sinatra’s leadership was that each artist would have full creative freedom, and at some point complete ownership of their work; including publishing rights. Reprise later became the home of many influential US acts such as Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman and The Beach Boys.
1966 - Born this day, Freedom Williams, singer, C&C Music Factory, 1991 UK No.4 single Things That Make You Go Hmmm..., 1991 US No.1 single Gonna Make You Sweat.
1967 - The Monkees announced that from now on they would be playing on their own recordings instead of session musicians.
1967 - The Beatles released the double A sided single 'Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane' on Capitol Records in the US. The single spent 10 weeks on the chart peaking at No.1.
1969 - Bob Dylan recorded versions of 'Lay, Lady, Lay', at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. 'Lay Lady Lay' was originally written for the soundtrack of the movie Midnight Cowboy, but wasn't submitted in time to be included in the finished film. The song has gone on to become a standard and has been covered by numerous bands and artists over the years, including The Byrds, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, Melanie, The Isley Brothers, Duran Duran, Hoyt Axton and Isaac Hayes amongst others.
1970 - On this day, Friday the 13th, Black Sabbath released their debut self-titled studio album on Vertigo records in the UK. Peaking at No.8 on the charts, the album has been recognised as the first main album to be credited with the development of the heavy metal genre.
1971 - Ike and Tina Turner's Proud Mary entered the Billboard charts, eventually reaching No.4.
1971 - The Osmonds started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'One Bad Apple'. The group had been appearing on TV in the US from 1962, on the Andy Williams Show and then the Jerry Lewis show.
1973 - After becoming ill during a concert in Las Vegas Elvis Presley presented Doctor Sidney Bowers with a Lincoln Continental to show his appreciation for all his work.
1974 - David Bowie turned down an offer from the Gay Liberation group to compose 'the world's first Gay National Anthem'.
1974 - Born this day, Robbie Williams [Robert Peter Williams], in Stoke On Trent, England, formally with Take That the biggest UK boy band of the 90's. 1995 UK No.1 single 'Back For Good' and seven other UK No.1 singles. Robbie quit Take That on 17 July 1995. His biggest hit was Angels in 1998, his first UK No.1 Millennium in 1998. He's had three UK No.1 albums. Robbie and his co-writer Guy Chambers won songwriters of the year at the 1999 Ivor Novello songwriting awards.
1976 - Genesis released their first album since the departure of Peter Gabriel, A Trick Of The Tail featuring 8 new tracks with drummer Phil Collins taking on the role of lead vocalist.
1977 - Julie Covington was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', taken from the Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical Evita. Covington had been in the 1977 UK TV series based on an all female group called Rock Follies. Madonna had a hit with her version of the song in 1996.
1978 - Dire Straits began recording their first album at Basing Street Studios, London. The whole project cost £12,500 ($21,250) to produce. The album which featured the group's breakthrough single 'Sultans of Swing' went on to enjoy a 132 week run on the UK chart. The inspiration for 'Sultans of Swing' came from Mark Knopfler witnessing a mediocre jazz band playing in the corner of a practically deserted pub. At the end of their performance, the lead singer came up to the microphone and announced that they were the "Sultans of Swing."
1980 - Police raided the home of John Lydon who greeted them waving a ceremonial sword, the only illegal item they found was a canister of tear gas, claimed to be for defence against intruders.
1981 - 'One Plus One' cassettes were launched by Island Records, one side had one of their artists albums and the other was blank so you could record on it!
1982 - The marble slab was stolen from the grave of Lynyrd Skynyrd's singer Ronnie Van Zant, police found it two weeks later in a dried-up river bed.
1989 - Michael Jackson fired his manager, Dileo who reportedly was seeking a $60 million settlement to prevent him revealing Jackson's life style to the press.
1989 - This years Brit Awards was hosted by Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood in which just about everything went wrong - lines were fluffed and bands mis-cued onto the stage. Winners included Phil Collins who won British Male Solo Artist, British Female Solo Artist was Annie Lennox, Erasure won Best British Group, Best British Album went to Fairground Attraction for 'First Of A Million Kisses', British Breakthrough Act was Bros, Michael Jackson won International Male, International Female went to Tracey Chapman and U2 won Best International Group. This was the last year the show was broadcast live.
1993 - Founder member of Musical Youth, Patrick Waite died aged 24, of natural causes (hereditary heart condition), whilst awaiting a court appearance on drug charges. Scored the 1982 UK No.1 and Grammy-nominated single 'Pass the Dutchie.'
1996 - Take That split up, the biggest band of the 1990s announced their demise in front of the world's press at The Hilton in Manchester, the band had achieved 7 No.1 singles and 2 No.1 albums. They released one more single and a Greatest Hits album.
1997 - Born this day, Prince Michael Jackson Jr, Michael Jackson became a father when Debbie Rowe gave birth to a baby boy.
1998 - Former Stone Roses singer Ian Brown, was arrested by police at Manchester Airport after an incident during a flight from Paris, he was found guilty in August the same year and jailed for 4 months, British Airways also banned him from flying with the airline.
2000 - Oasis scored their fifth UK No.1 single with 'Go Let It Out'. The first release on the bands 'Big Brother' label and the first single from their fourth studio album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.
2002 - Died this day, Waylon Jennings, country singer, songwriter, after a lengthy fight with diabetes. As a member of the Crickets, gave up his plane seat to the Big Bopper on the 'day the music died'.
2004 - Led Zeppelin were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Grammys. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham all attended. Robert Plant did not, since he was working on a new album and tour.
2007 - Robbie Williams checked into rehab on his birthday to deal with an addiction to prescription drugs. The singer, who was 33 today, was admitted into an unnamed clinic in the US.
2007 - Rod Stewart was paid $1million when he performed at a billionaire's birthday bash. Stewart was booked to play a one-hour gig to help Steve Schwarzman celebrate his 60th birthday held at New York's Park Avenue Armory.
2008 - Former Blue singer Lee Ryan was charged with an attack on a taxi driver in Surrey. The 24-year-old was accused of assaulting the man following a minor traffic accident in Oxted on New Year's Eve
2012 – Adele cleans up the Grammy Awards with 6 in total including the coveted song, record and album of the year. She also performs in what is her first public appearance since undergoing throat surgery. Adeles 6 Grammys equals Beyonces haul which is an individual record for a female solo artist. Foo Fighters have a good night as well with 5 Grammys. The night is overshadowed by the death of Whitney Houston 2 days earlier.
2013 - Lady Gaga was forced to postponed her world tour after sustaining an injury which left her unable to walk. The singer had severe inflammation of the joints, known as synovitis.