ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

February 10th

1942 - Glen Miller

'Chattanooga Choo Choo' by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra became the first recording to be awarded a Gold record. It was actually just a master copy of the disc sprayed with gold lacquer by RCA as a publicity stunt. The actual award recognized today as a Gold Record would not be initiated for another sixteen years when the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) borrowed the idea and trademarked the Gold Record. The first Gold single was awarded to Perry Como in 1958 for 'Catch A Falling Star' and the first Gold album was given to Gordon McRae for the soundtrack to 'Oklahoma'.





1967 - The Beatles

The Beatles recorded the orchestral build-up for the middle and end of 'A Day in the Life'. At the Beatles' request, the orchestra members arrived in full evening dress along with novelty items. One violinist wore a red clown's nose, while another, a fake gorilla's paw on his bow hand. Others were wearing funny hats and other assorted novelties. The recording was filmed for a possible 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' television special which was ultimately abandoned. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mike Nesmith from The Monkees and Donovan also attended the session.

1968 - Four Tops

The Four Tops 'Greatest Hits' was at No.1 on the UK album chart, the first No.1 album for the Tamla Motown label.

1971 - Carole King

American singer-songwriter Carole King released her second studio album Tapestry. It is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. The lead single from the album 'It's Too Late'/'I Feel the Earth Move' spent five weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The cover photograph was taken at King's Laurel Canyon home. It shows her sitting in a window frame, holding a tapestry she hand-stitched herself, with her cat Telemachus at her feet.



1972 - David Bowie

David Bowie appeared at the Tolworth Toby Jug, London, on the opening date of his Ziggy Stardust tour playing to around 60 people in the room. The character of Ziggy was initially inspired by British rock 'n' roll singer Vince Taylor. The Ziggy Stardust tour played a total of 182 dates.



1973 - Elton John

Elton John had his first UK No.1 album when 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player' started a six-week run at the top of the charts.

1974 - Phil Spector

Phil early - young young young

Record producer Phil Spector was injured in a car crash. He needed extensive plastic surgery that dramatically altered his looks. Details of how the accident happened were kept secret.

1977 - The Clash

The Clash started recording their debut album at CBS studios in London, England. The album was recorded over three weekend sessions at CBS Studio 3 in February 1977. By the third of these sessions the album was recorded and mixed to completion, with the tapes being delivered to CBS at the start of March. It cost just £4000 to produce.

1979 - Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy', his third US No.1. (and a No.1 hit in the UK). Also today Rod started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Blondes Have More Fun. And thus the descent began . . . . . . . .

1984 - Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Frankie Goes To Hollywood were at No.1 on the UK singles chart for the third week with 'Relax.' Eurythmics had the UK No.1 album with 'Touch.'

1997 - Blur

Blur released their eponymous fifth studio album. As well as lead single, 'Beetlebum', reaching the top of the UK charts the album also reached the top 20 in six other countries. The success of 'Song 2' led to Blur becoming the band's most successful album in the US where the Britpop scene had been largely unsuccessful.


2001 - Eminem

Police were investigating Eminem over suspected drugs offences after he appeared to consume Ecstasy pills and encouraged the audience at his Manchester show to take drugs. Over 100 gay rights protesters picketed the show.

2002 - Dave Van Ronk

American folk singer Dave Van Ronk died aged 65. An important figure in the American folk music revival and New York City's Greenwich Village scene in the Sixties, he was nicknamed the "Mayor of MacDougal Street". Bob Dylan recorded Van Ronk's arrangement of the traditional song ‘House of the Rising Sun’ on his first album, which The Animals turned into a No.1 UK single in 1964, helping inaugurate the folk-rock movement. Van Ronk was the main inspiration for the Coen Brothers' film 'Inside Llewellyn Davis' 

2004 - Diana Ross

Diana Ross was sentenced to two days in jail after pleading 'no contest' to a drink driving charge. She was allowed to enter her plea over the telephone from New York; her lawyer said the singer would serve her term at a prison near her Los Angeles home. Ross was arrested in December 2002 after tests indicated she was twice over the drink- drive limit.

2005 - Prince

Prince topped Rolling Stone magazine's annual list of the years biggest money earners after his 2004 tour grossed over $90 million (£53 million). Madonna came in second place after earning $54.9 million (£34.3 million) and Metallica came third with $43 million (£25.3 million).

2005 - Roger Daltrey

Who singer Roger Daltrey was awarded the CBE by The Queen at Buckingham Palace for services to the music industry.

2008 - Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse won five prizes at this year's Grammy Awards, including song of the year and record of the year, both for her single 'Rehab', and best new artist. The UK singer was not at the Los Angeles ceremony to collect them due to visa problems. Instead, she made an acceptance speech by satellite, paying tribute to her husband, "my Blake incarcerated", who was in custody awaiting trial on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and grievous bodily harm. Kanye West scooped four Grammy Awards, while Bruce Springsteen won three.

2014 - Chris Cornell

A Seattle woman was charged for allegedly sending Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell a number of chilling death threats and threats to harm his children. The singer was sent over 100 different messages by Elizabeth Walden who had nine different Twitter accounts. Prosecutors said the tweets constituted cyber-stalking and filed criminal charges against her.

2017 - Prince

Universal Records struck a deal to release much of the late musician Prince's private archive. Universal said the deal gave it exclusive licensing rights to Prince's "highly anticipated trove of unreleased works". It has also acquired the rights to 25 albums that Prince released through NPG Records, the label that he founded.

BIRTHDAYS

1947 - Chris Ethridge

American country rock bass guitarist Chris Ethridge. He was a member of the International Submarine Band and The Flying Burrito Brothers. Ethridge also worked with Nancy Sinatra, Leon Russell, Delaney Bramlett, Johnny Winter, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds, Jackson Browne, and Willie Nelson. Ethridge died on April 23, 2012 at age 65 from pancreatic cancer.

1937 - Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack, US singer, songwriter, who had the 1972 US No.1 single 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', 1973 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'. First Time being written by Jimmy Miller (Ewan MacColl) when he was having an affair with Pete Seeger's sister Peggy whilst still married to second wife Jean Newlove after he split from radical theatre agit-prop figure Joan Littlewood who was his first wife

1914 - Larry Adler

Larry Adler, mouth organist, worked as a soloist with many of the world's major symphony orchestras. He played with countless artists from Fred Astaire to George Gershwin and later with Elton John and Sting. Recorded the 1994 tribute album 'Glory Of Gershwin'. He died on August 7th 2001, aged 87. I grew up with the sound of my maternal uncle playing the hamronica and owned several over the years but could never learn how to play one, along with John Sebastian I had many heroes playing such an sintrument but Adler was clearly the master virtuoso  who elevated the 'novelty' instrument into a classical instrument capable of playing anything. Random fact that always struck with me was despite being a small man he weighed 14lbs at birth!