On This Day, February 12 in Music History
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 12 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day February 12 in 1955 – The McGuire Sisters scored their first number one single in the US with ‘Sincerely’, a song written by Alan Freed and Harvey Fuqua.
1959 – American avant-garde pianist, composer, and inventor George Antheil died of a heart attack, aged 58
1967 – While partying at Keith Richards‘ house in London, the Rolling Stones were raided by the police. The police found illegal substances for which they arrested Keith, Mick Jagger and, Marianne Faithfull.
1969 – With their rendition of ‘(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice’, Welsh rock group Amen Corner topped the UK Singles chart on this day February 12.
1970 – John Lennon appeared on the British music TV show Top of the Pops where he performed his latest single ‘Instant Karma’.
1972 – Al Green scored his first and only number one single in the US when ‘Let’s Stay Together’ reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on this day February 12.
1976 – Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson topped the the US Billboard 200 chart with the soundtrack album ‘A Star Is Born’ to the film of the same name. It also became a chart-topper in Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
1977 – Pink Floyd released their tenth studio album ‘Animals’ in the United States on this day February 12 in music history. The album went on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide and it became a chart-topper in five countries.
1977 – Singer and actress Julie Covington went to number one on the UK Singles chart with ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’.
1981 – Progressive rock band Rush released their eighth studio album ‘Moving Pictures’ through Anthem Records on this day February 12. The album became a chart-topper in Canada and peaked at No.3 in the UK and US. And as of February 2024 it’s also the band’s highest-selling album.
1994 – Alice in Chains made history on this day when their third studio EP “Jar of Flies” became the first extended play to debut at No.1 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
1994 – Singer-songwriter Tori Amos scored her first number one album in the United Kingdom with ‘Under the Pink’ on this day February 12.
1994 – With her rendition of ‘The Power of Love’, Celine Dion hit number one on the US Singles chart for the first of four consecutive weeks.
1997 – David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on this day February 12 in music history. The star is located on 7001 Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles, California,
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2000 – American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, boxer, and actor Jalacy Hawkins also known as Screamin’ Jay died at the age of 70.
2000 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist D’Angelo topped the US Billboard 200 on this day February 12 with his second studio album ‘Voodoo’.
2005 – Country music singer-songwriter Jewel Faye Smith also known professionally as Sammi Smith died at the age of 61. Best remembered for her chart-topping hit ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night’.
2005 – American rapper Eminem hit number one on the UK Singles chart with ‘Like Toy Soldiers’ on this day February 12.
2005 – With his ninth studio album ‘Be as You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair)’, country music singer Kenny Chesney went to No.1 in the US.
2005 – Indie rock band Athlete scored their first chart-topping album in the UK with their second studio release ‘Tourist’ on this day February 12 in music history.
2011 – Singer-songwriter and guitarist Amos Lee scored his first number one album in the US with his fourth studio release ‘Mission Bell’.
2011 – With ‘Price Tag’, singer-songwriter Jessie J and rapper B.O.B. topped the UK Singles chart on this day February 12.
2017 – The 59th Annual Grammy Awards were held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Beyonce received the most nominations with nine, but the biggest winner was Adele with five Awards while David Bowie won four.
2017 – American singer and percussionist Alwin “Al” Jarreau died on this day February 12 at the age of 76 from a respiratory failure.
BORN ON FEBRUARY 12 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1914 – American singer, saxophonist, and bandleader Gordon “Tex” Beneke was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Best known for his collaboration with Glenn Miller.
1915 – Canadian musician and actor Lyon Green also known professionally as Lorne Greene was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Best known for his 1964 chart-topping single, the spoken-word ballad ‘Ringo’.
1920 – Multi-instrumentalist and session musician William “Bill” Pitman was born in Belleville, New Jersey. Best known for playing the ukulele on the Academy Award-winning song ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head’.
1928 – Founding member of the Salsoul Orchestra and MFSB, Vincent “Vince” Montana was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1935 – American singer and songwriter Eugene “Gene” McDaniels was born in Kansas City, Kansas. Best known for recording and writing songs such as ‘A Hundred Pounds of Clay’, ‘Tower of Strength’, ‘Compared to What’ and ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love’.
1939 – Keyboardist and singer Raymond “Ray” Manzarek was born in Chicago, Illinois. He came to prominence as the co-founder of The Doors with whom he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
1944 – Country music singer Marion “Moe” Bandy was born in Meridian, Mississippi.
1946 – Bass player for the rock group Three Dog Night, Joseph Schermetzler also known professionally as Joe Schermie was born in Madison, Wisconsin.
1950 – English singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist Stephen “Steve” Hackett was born in London. He rose to fame as the lead guitarist of the progressive rock band Genesis.
1952 – American singer-songwriter and keyboardist Michael McDonald was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Best known for his work with the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan.
1956 – Scottish rock guitarist Brian Robertson was born in Clarkston. Best known as a member of the bands Thin Lizzy and Motorhead.
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1980 – American rapper Radric Davis better known by his stage name Gucci Mane was born in Bessemer, Alabama.
1981 – Irish singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Lisa Hannigan was born in Kilcloon, Ireland.
1988 – American singer, songwriter, and producer Michael “Mike” Posner was born in Detroit, Michigan. Best known for the hit singles ‘Cooler than Me’ and ‘Please Don’t Go’.