On This Day, February 9 in Music History
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 9 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day February 9 in 1957 – Elvis Presley had the best-selling single in stores in the US with ‘Too Much’ / ‘Playing for Keeps’.
1959 – With his rendition of the popular 1911 folk song ‘Stagger Lee’, Loyd Price hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the first of four consecutive weeks. Also a hit in the UK that year where it peaked at No.7.
1962 – The number one single in the United States on this day February 9 in music history was ‘Hey Paula’ by Paul & Paula who topped the Hot 100 for three weeks straight.
1964 – The Beatles made their now-legendary first appearance on US TV when they performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. Over 70 million Americans tuned in to watch the Liverpudlians play their chart-topping hit ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’.
1966 – American singer, comedian and actress Sofia Kalish better known professionally as Sophie Tucker died on this day February 9, aged 80.
1972 – Paul McCartney and Wings played their first show in front of an audience at the University in Nottingham, England.
1974 – The Love Unlimited Orchestra topped the US Billboard Hot 100 on this day February 9 with their rendition of Barry White‘s instrumental piece ‘Love’s Theme’. Also a chart-topper in South Africa and Canada that year while in the UK it peaked at No.10.
1976 – Canadian-American composer, conductor, orchestrator, and bandleader Percy Faith died on this day at the age of 67.
1981 – Rock and roll pioneer William “Bill” Haley died on this day February 9 in music history, aged 55 from a heart attack. Best remembered for hit songs such as ‘Rock Around the Clock’, ‘See You Later, Alligator’, and ‘Rocket 88’ among other.
1985 – With her second studio album ‘Like a Virgin’, Madonna went to number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. As of February 2024, the album has sold over 21 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.
1985 – Elaine Paige and Barbara started a four-week stint at the top of the UK Singles chart with ‘I Know Him So Well’ on this day February 9.
1991 – The number one single in the United States on this day was ‘Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)’ by C+C Music Factor featuring Freedom Williams.
1991 – Alternative rock band Jesus Jones scored their first number one album in the United Kingdom with ‘Doubt’ on this day February 9.
1993 – Mick Jagger released his third solo studio album ‘Wandering Spirit’. The album was a commercial success, peaking at No.24 in the UK and No.11 in the US.
1997 – Scottish singer and songwriter Brian Connolly died on this day February 9 in music history at the age of 51. Best remembered as the frontman of the glam rock band Sweet from 1968 until 1979.
2002 – Electronic music duo Chemical Brothers scored their third consecutive number one album in the UK with ‘Come With Us’.
2005 – American blues and soul singer Tyrone Davis died on this day February 9, aged 67. Best remembered for his chart-topping singles ‘Can I Change My Mind’, ‘Turn Back The Hands Of Time’, and ‘Turning Point’.
Tyrone Davis – Turn Back The Hands Of Time
2008 – The number one album in the United States on this day was the soundtrack to the film of the same name ‘Juno‘.
2008 – Singer and songwriter Adele reached the top spot on the UK Albums chart with her debut studio release ’19’ on this day February 9.
2013 – With his ninth studio album ‘Set You Free’, country music singer Gary Allan reached the top spot on the US Billboard 200 chart.
2013 – Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro hit number one in the United Kingdom on this day February 9 in music history with their sixth studio album ‘Opposites’.
2017 – The soundtrack album to the film of the same name ‘La La Land’ reached the top spot on the UK Albums chart.
2019 – Boy band Backstreet Boys went to number one in the US with their ninth studio album ‘DNA’ on this day February 9.
2021 – American jazz composer and keyboardist Anthony “Chick” Corea died at the age of 79. Best remembered for composing jazz standards such as ‘Spain’, Windows’, ‘500 Miles High’ and for winning 25 Grammy Awards.
BORN ON FEBRUARY 9 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1914 – Singer-songwriter and country music pioneer Texas Troubadour was born Ernest Dale Tubb in Crisp, Texas. Best known for hit songs such as ‘Walking the Floor Over You’ and ‘Blue Christmas’.
1925 – Steel guitar player William “Billy” Williamson was born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Best known as a member of Bill Haley & His Comets from 1949 until 1963.
1925 – Rock and roll singer Robert “Bobby” Lewis was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Best remembered for hit singles such as ‘Tossin’ and Turnin” and ‘One Track Mind’.
1939 – American pianist and songwriter Barry Imberman also known professionally as Barry Mann was born in Brooklyn, New York City.
1940 – English multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer Brian Bennet was born in London. Best known as a member of the instrumental rock group The Shadows.
1942 – American singer and songwriter Carole King was born in New York City. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 75 million records sold worldwide.
1943 – American singer-songwriter Barbara Ann Lewis was born in Salem, Michigan. Best known for hit singles such as ‘Hello Stranger’, ‘Baby I’m Yours’, and ‘Make Me Your Baby’.
1947 – Rhythm and blues singer Major Harris was born in Richmond, Virginia. Best known as a member of the Delfonics and for his solo hit single ‘Low Won’t Let Me Wait’.
1947 – American singer-songwriter and guitarist Joe Elly was born in Amarillo, Texas.
1955 – Founder and frontman of the punk rock band Sham 69, Jimmy Pursey was born in Hersham, England.
1960 – English musician Holly Johnson was born in Liverpool. He came to prominence as the frontman of the synth-pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
1963 – British guitarist and songwriter David Rotheray was born in Hull, England. Best known as a member of the band The Beautiful South.
1966 – Co-founder and bassist of the metal band Skid Row, Richard Southworth also known by his stage name Rachel Bolan was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.