EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY FEBRUARY 19 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day February 19 in 1949 – John Lee Hooker went to number one on the US R&B Singles chart with ‘Boogie Chillen’. The revolutionary guitar work by Hooker on the song inspired the upcoming generation of rock and roll guitarists.
1964 – Paul Simon wrote the lyrics to ‘The Sound of Silence’, a career defining song for him. Simon and Art Garfunkel recorded the single a month later on March 10 and it became a chart-topper in the US and Japan.
1966 – Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass returned for a two-week run at No.1 on the US Billboard 200 with the album ‘Whipped Cream & Other Delights’ on this day February 19 in music history.
1966 – Birthday boy Lou Christie went to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’. Also a chart-topper in Canada that year while in the UK it peaked at No.11.
1971 – Paul McCartney released his debut single as a solo artist ‘Another Day’ on this day February 19 through Apple Records. The song topped the Spanish, Irish, and Australian singles charts, while in the UK and US it peaked at No.2 and No.5.
1972 – Scottish singer Neil Reid started a three-week stint at number one in the UK with his self-titled debut studio album.
1972 – Pop rock group Chicory Tip scored their first and only number one single in the UK on this day February 19 with their rendition of Giorgio Moroder‘s song ‘Son of My Father’.
1972 – With his rendition of the Badfinger song ‘Without You’, Harry Nilsson hit No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the first of four weeks straight. It also became a chart-topper in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
1977 – Instrumental rock group The Shadows started a six-week run at No.1 in the UK on this day February 19 in music history with their compilation album ’20 Golden Greats’.
1977 – With their version of the Bruce Springsteen song ‘Blinded by the Light’, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band went to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Also a chart-topper in Canada and a Top 10 hit in the UK and New Zealand that year.
1977 – The number one single in the UK on this day February 19 was ‘When I Need You’ by Leo Sayer who topped the Singles chart for three weeks straight.
1980 – Australian singer-songwriter Ronald “Bon” Scott died at the age of 33 from acute alcohol poisoning. Best remembered as the frontman of the hard rock band AC/DC.
1982 – Ozzy Osbourne was arrested by Texas police in San Antonio on this day February 19 after he was caught urinating on a statue near the Alamo Cenotaph. Oh, and he also wore a dress while being arrested.
10 Crazy Facts About Ozzy Osbourne
1983 – With ‘Baby, Come to Me’, Patti Austin and James Ingram started a two-week run at number one on the US Singles chart.
1983 – New wave band Kajagoogo topped the UK Singles chart on this day February 19 with ‘Too Shy’. The song also reached No.1 in Belgium, Ireland, Japan, and West Germany that year.
1985 – Mick Jagger released his debut solo studio album ‘She’s the Boss’ through Columbia Records. The album was a commercial success peaking at No.6 in the UK and No.13 in the US.
1994 – Mariah Carey topped the UK Singles chart with her rendition of ‘Without You’, 22 years after Harry Nilsson topped the US Billboard Hot 100 with the same song on this day February 19 in music history. However, Mariah‘s version was a bigger hit worldwide, topping 14 charts in total.
1994 – With their second studio album ‘The Cross of Changes’, German band Enigma reached number one in the UK.
1994 – The number one album in the United States on this day February 19 was ‘Kickin’ It Up’ by the country music singer John Michael Montgomery.
1998 – Country and gospel music singer and banjo player Louis Jones also known professionally as Grandpa Jones died at the age of 84.
2000 – English rock band Oasis scored their fifth number one single in the UK on this day February 19 with ‘Go Let It Out’.
Oasis – Go Let It Out
2000 – With her third studio album ‘Rise’, singer-songwriter Gabrielle hit number one in the UK for the first of three consecutive weeks.
2000 – The number one single in the United States on this day February 19 was ‘Thank God I Found You’ by Mariah Carey featuring Joe and 98 Degrees.
2005 – Alternative rock band Keane reached No.1 in the United Kingdom with their debut studio album ‘Hopes and Fears’.
2009 – English bassist and vocalist Kelly Groucutt died on this day February 19 in music history, aged 63. Best remembered for his work with the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).
2011 – Rapper Nicki Minaj went to number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with her debut studio album ‘Pink Friday’.
2011 – With ‘Black and Yellow’, rapper Wiz Khalifa scored his first number one single in the US on this day February 19.
2020 – American rapper Bashar Jackson better known by his stage name Pop Smoke died at the age of 20 after being shot by home invaders.
2022 – English singer-songwriter and pianist Gary Brooker died on this day February 19, aged 76. Best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Procol Harum.
BORN ON THIS DAY FEBRUARY 19 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1940 – American musician and tenor singer Robert “Bobby” Rogers was born in Detroit, Michigan on this day February 19 in music history. Best known as a longtime member of the vocal group The Miracles with whom he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1940 – Singer-songwriter, producer, and record executive William Robinson also known by his stage name Smokey was born in Detroit, Michigan. Best known as the founder and frontman of the vocal group The Miracles.
1943 – American soft rock singer and songwriter Lugee Giovanni Sacco also known professionally as Lou Christie was born on this day February 19 in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania. Best known for his chart-topping single ‘Lightin’ Strikes’ and the UK No.2 from 1969 ‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine’.
1946 – Dutch drummer and songwriter Pierre van der Linden was born on this day February 19 in Amsterdam. He rose to fame as a member of the progressive rock band Focus with whom he had the hit single ‘Hocus Pocus’.
1948 – British guitarist and songwriter Anthony “Tony” Iommi was born in Birmingham, England. Best known as the co-founder of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
8 Interesting Facts about Tony Iommi
1948 – Bass guitarist Mark Andes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on this day February 19 in music history. Best known as a member of bands such as Canned Heat, Miraball, Heart, Firefall and Spirit.
1949 – English singer-songwriter and pianist Edward Harding better known professionally as Eddie Hardin was born in London.
1950 – Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the rock band Wishbone Ash, Andrew Powell was born on this day February 19 in London, England.
1954 – Bass guitarist Francis Buchholz was born in Hanover, Germany. He came to prominence as a member of the rock band Scorpions.
1957 – Austrian musician and singer Johann “Hans” Holzel also known by his stage name Falco was born on this day February 19 in Vienna. He rose to international fame with hit singles such as ‘Rock Me Amadeus‘ and ‘Vienna Calling’.
1963 – British singer-songwriter Henry Samuel also known professionally as Seal was born on this day in Paddington, London.
1975 – Canadian drummer Daniel Adair was born in Vancouver on this day February 19 in music history. Best known for his work with the bands Nickelback and 3 Doors Down.