On This Day, February 8 in Music History
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 8 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day February 8 in 1959 – Johnny Cash appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show where he performed his chart-topping hit ‘Don’t Take Your Guns To Town’.
1960 – Mark Dinning topped the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Teen Angel’, a song banned from multiple radio stations due to its depressive lyrics. In the UK it peaked at No.37 despite being banned from the BBC.
1968 – After six successful years of recording and touring, the British pop duo Peter and Gordon decided to split up on this day February 8 in music history. Their biggest hit was ‘A World Without Love’, a song written by Paul McCartney which topped both the US and UK singles charts.
1969 – The soundtrack album to the television special ‘TCB’ by Diana Ross & The Supremes with The Temptations topped the US Billboard 200.
1975 – With his compilation album ‘His Greatest Hits’, Engelbert Humperdinck started a three-week stint at No.1 in the UK on this day February 8.
1975 – Funk band the Ohio Players topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with ‘Fire’. They also reached No.1 on the Billboard 200 today with their sixth studio album of the same name.
1977 – Rock band Television released their innovative debut album ‘Marquee Moon’ on this day February 8 through Elektra Records. Although not a major commercial success, the album paved the way for the upcoming new wave and indie rock bands of the 1980s.
1986 – Billy Ocean topped the UK Singles chart with ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going’. The song was a big hit worldwide that year and it reached No.1 in eight other countries, and it peaked at No.2 in the US.
1990 – American singer-songwriter Charles Westover better known professionally as Del Shannon died on this day February 8 in music history, aged 55. Best remembered for his 1961 chart-topping hit single ‘Runaway’.
1992 – British pop band Right Said Fred started a three-week stint at No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘I’m Too Sexy’. The song also reached No.1 in Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, while in the UK it peaked at No.2.
1992 – Pop rock quarter Wet Wet Wet hit number one in the UK on this day February 8 for the first of two weeks with their third studio album ‘High on the Happy Side’.
1992 – After a one week break from the top spot, country music singer Garth Brooks returned for an eight-week run at No.1 on the US Billboard 200 with his third studio album ‘Ropin’ the Wind’.
1997 – Indie rock band Reef scored their first and only number one album in the UK with ‘Glow’ on this day February 8.
1997 – With his rendition of ‘Ain’t Nobody’, rapper LL Cool J reached the top spot on the UK Singles chart. The song featured in the 1996 adult animated comedy film ‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do America’.
2003 – Russian pop music duo t.A.T.u started a four-week stint at No.1 in the UK on this day February 8 in music history with ‘All the Things She Said’. The song was also a big hit in Europe topping 11 singles charts in total, while in the US it peaked at No.20.
2003 – Jennifer Lopez featuring rapper LL Cool J hit number one on the US Singles chart with ‘All I Have’ for the first of four consecutive weeks.
Jennifer Lopez ft. LL Cool J – All I Have
2005 – American drummer, vocalist, and songwriter Keith Knudsen died on this day February 8, aged 56 from complications of pneumonia. Best remembered for his work with the bands The Doobie Brothers and Southern Pacific.
2006 – David Bowie received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy for his contributions to music and art.
10 David Bowie Facts You May Have Not Known
2011 – American soul and blues singer-songwriter Marvin Sease died on this day February 8 in music history, aged 64 from pneumonia.
2014 – With ‘Dark Horse’, Katy Perry and rapper Juicy J started a four-week stint at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2014 – The number one album in the United Kingdom on this day February 8 was ‘Cavalier Youth’ by the rock band You Me at Six.
2021 – Singer and founding member of The Supremes, Mary Wilson died on this day at the age of 76 in her sleep.
BORN ON FEBRUARY 8 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1919 – American bandleader and trombonist Muni Zudekoff better known professionally as Buddy Morrow was born in New Haven, Connecticut.
1932 – American composer, pianist and conductor John Williams was born in New York City. He has composed some of the most popular film scores (Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Superman, etc) which won him 25 Grammy and 5 Academy Awards.
1936 – American novelty singer Larry Verne Erickson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Best known for his chart-topping single ‘Mr. Custer’.
1942 – American record producer and singer-songwriter Terrence “Terry” Melcher was born in New York City. Best known for his collaborations with bands such as The Byrds and the Beach Boys. He is also the only child of actress/singer Doris Day.
1943 – American musician and actor William Schneider also known professionally as Creed Bratton was born in Los Angeles, California. He rose to fame as a member of The Grass Roots, but is best known for playing a fictional version of himself on the popular sitcom The Office.
1948 – Country and rock musician Danny “Dan” Seals also known by his stage name England Dan was born in McCamey, Texas. He came to prominence as one half of the rock dup England Dan & John Ford Coley.
1961 – Singer and rhythm guitarist Vince Neil was born in Hollywood, California. Best known as the co-founder and frontman of the heavy metal band Motley Crue.
1971 – American multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter William “Will” Turpin was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. Best known for his solo work and also as a member of the rock band Collective Soul.
1974 – One half of the electronic music duo Daft Punk – Guy-Manuel was born Guillaume Emmanuel de Homem-Christo in Neuilly, France.
1977 – American bassist David Farrell also known by his stage name Phoenix was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He gained fame as a member of the rock band Linkin Park.
1986 – American singer-songwriter and rapper Anderson Paak was born in Oxnard, California.