February 19th

1997: A judge in New York dismissed a $7 million lawsuit against Motley Crue for hearing loss that a fan suffered at one of their concerts. The judge ruled that the fan knew the concert would be loud when he purchased the ticket.

1995: Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee married Pamela Anderson on a beach in Cancun, Mexico.

1995: Jon Bon Jovi’s wife Dorthea gave birth to their second child, a son named Jesse James Louis.

1993: Lynyrd Skynyrd celebrated their twentieth anniversary with a Lynyrd Skynyrd & Friends LYVE performance from Atlanta’s Fox Theatre that aired live on pay-per-view. Special guests included Peter Frampton, Charlie Daniels, Zakk Wylde, Poison singer Bret Michaels & Cinderella singer Tom Kiefer.

1983: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers made their second appearance as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live where they performed “Change of Heart” and “The Waiting”.

1982: Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in San Antonio for urinating on The Alamo. At the time of his arrest, Osbourne was wearing a dress which belonged to his manager (later wife), Sharon Arden.

1980: AC/DC singer Bon Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning in London while sleeping in a friend’s car. He was 33 years old.

1977: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light” which spent one week on top which is Springsteen’s only number one single as a songwriter.

1974: Kiss made their television debut on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.

Birthdays:
Paul Dean-guitarist for Loverboy born in 1946
Tony Iommi-guitarist for Black Sabbath born in 1948
Francis Buchholz-bassist for Scorpions born in 1954

February 20th

1991: Bob Dylan & John Lennon received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Aerosmith won their first Grammy for Best Rock Performance for “Janie’s Got A Gun” & performed “Come Together” as part of the tribute to Lennon.

1988: Foreigner peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Say You Will” which was their eighth top ten single in the U.S.

1982: Pat Benatar married her guitarist Neil Giraldo on the Hawaiian island of Maui. It was Benatar’s second marriage & they’re still married to this day.

1982: Genesis peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with the “Abacab” which was their fourth single to reach the top forty in the U.S.

1981: Rush kicked off their tour in support of Moving Pictures at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI.

1976: Kiss placed their booted footprints outside of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

1975: Alice Cooper released his first solo album Welcome to My Nightmare which went on to reach number five on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and sell one million copies in the U.S.

1969: Goodbye Cream, the documentary film of Cream’s farewell concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall premiered in Baltimore.

1960: Jimi Hendrix made his first stage appearance with his band The Rocking Kings at the National Guard Armory in Seattle.

Birthdays:
J. Geils-guitarist for The J. Geils Band born in 1946
Walter Becker-bassist & guitarist for Steely Dan born in 1950
Jon Brant-bassist for Cheap Trick born in 1954
Kurt Cobain-singer & guitarist for Nirvana born in 1967

February 22nd

2001: U.K. newspaper Sunday Mirror reported that The Beatles were the highest grossing musicians in the year of 2000 earning $50 million.

1993: Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson announced that he would be leaving the band at the end of their forthcoming live commitments to pursue a solo career. Dickinson would rejoin Iron Maiden in 1999 & is still with the band to this day.

1989: At the 31st Grammy Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Jethro Tull won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental for their album Crest of a Knave, beating Metallica who were widely expected to win.

1987: Andy Warhol, the artist who painted the album cover of The Velvet Underground’s debut album & designed the cover of The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers died after a gall bladder operation in New York City. He was 58 years old.

1978: The Police appeared as blondes in a chewing gum commercial in the U.K. The group decided to keep the look.

1975: Grand Funk Railroad peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their cover of “Some Kind of Wonderful” which was their third top ten single in the U.S.

1969: The Beatles recorded the basic track & John Lennon’s vocal of “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” at Trident Studios in London.

1969: T. Rex kicked off their tour of the U.K. at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. Their opening act on this night was David Bowie performing a one-man mime act.

1968: Genesis released their debut single, “The Silent Sun”. The song was a fusion of folk & pop, a far cry from the progressive rock they would later be known for.

1963: The Beatles formed their Northern Songs Ltd. publishing company. The company would later be purchased by Michael Jackson in 1985 for $47 million.

February 23rd

2003: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ bassist Howie Epstein died of complications due to drug use at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, NM. He was 47 years old.

2000: Carlos Santana tied Michael Jackson’s record of eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for his album Supernatural, Record of the Year & Song of the Year for “Smooth”, Santana’s collaboration with Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas.

1994: Eddie Van Halen, B.B. King and Chris Issak were among those in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas that opened the following year.

1980: Queen reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the first time with “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, which began a four week run on top of the chart.

1980: Iron Maiden released their debut single “Running Free” on EMI Records in the U.K. where it peaked at number 34.

1979: Dire Straits kicked off their first tour of North America at the Paradise Club in Boston.

1978: David Coverdale’s Whitesnake made their live debut at the Sky Bird Club in Nottingham, U.K.

1970: Ringo Starr made a guest appearance on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. This was Starr’s first solo television appearance.

1970: The Doors received their fifth Gold album for Morrison Hotel which went on to sell one million copies in the U.S.

Birthdays:
Johnny Winter born in 1944
Brad Whitford-guitarist for Aerosmith born in 1952
Michael Wilton-guitarist for Queensryche born in 1962

February 24th

2006: The Sex Pistols posted a letter on their website announcing that they would not be attending their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following month.

2002: Kiss performed with original guitarist Ace Frehley for the last time to date at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

1994: Daltrey Sings Townshend, an event which celebrated Roger Daltrey’s 50th birthday finished the second of two nights at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The event also featured Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed & Eddie Vedder.

1993: Eric Clapton won six Grammy Awards including Album of the Year for Unplugged, Record of the Year & Song of the Year for “Tears in Heaven”.

1992: Nirvana singer & guitarist Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.

1990: Bob Dylan joined Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman & David Crosby onstage in Los Angeles to sing Mr. Tambourine Man at a tribute concert to Roy Orbison. 

1988: As a joke, Alice Cooper announced plans to run for Governor of Arizona as a member of the “Wild” Party.

1987: Robert Palmer won his first Grammy award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male category for “Addicted to” Love at the 29th annual Grammy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

1975: Led Zeppelin released their sixth album Physical Graffiti which went on to sell sixteen million copies in the U.S.

Birthdays:
Lonnie Turner-bassist for the Steve Miller Band born in 1947

February 25th

2003: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington underwent emergency heart surgery. Rossington had gone in for a routine screening & was found to have severe coronary artery disease. The surgery was a success & Lynyrd Skynyrd postponed the release of their album Vicious Circle & tour dates.

1993: Toy Caldwell, the guitarist for The Marshall Tucker Band died of heart disease. He was 45 years old.

1986: The 28th Grammy Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Phil Collins won Album of the Year for No Jacket Required, Dire Straits won Best Rock Performance for “Money for Nothing” & Don Henley won Best Rock Vocal Performance for “The Boys of Summer”.

1985: U2 kicked off their first North American arena tour at the Reunion Arena in Dallas in support of The Unforgettable Fire.

1984: Van Halen reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the first & only time with “Jump” which began a four week run on top of the chart.

1982: Iron Maiden kicked off their The Beast on the Road tour in Dunstable, U.K. in support of The Number of the Beast. During this tour they performed 179 concerts in sixteen countries. When they toured North America, they opened tours for Rainbow, 38 Special, the Scorpions & Judas Priest.

1981: Rush received their first Platinum album in the U.S. for 2112 which was certified by the RIAA for sales of one million copies. The album has since gone on to sell three million copies in the U.S.

1980: Bob Seger released his eleventh studio album Against the Wind which was his third album with The Silver Bullet Band. The album went on to reach number one on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and sell five million copies in the U.S.

1967: The Spencer Davis Group peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Gimme Some Lovin’” which was their first top ten single in the U.S.

Birthdays:
George Harrison born in 1943

February 26th

2002: Multiple concerts are held in the Los Angeles area featuring the likes of The Eagles, Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, & Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder to benefit the Recording Artists’ Coalition, which lobbies for artists’ rights.

2001: Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose’s stalker Karen McNeil was found guilty of violating her probation by a Malibu Supreme Court judge. McNeil had been ordered to stay at least 300 yards from Rose’s residence in 1997 & the Malibu police had records of her trespassing on Rose’s property at least six times.

1998: Pamela Anderson filed for divorce from Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, two days after Lee was arrested for spousal abuse outside of their home.

1997: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, & Neil Peart of Rush received the Order of Canada, the highest civilian award from the Canadian government, for significant achievement in important fields of human endeavor.

1995: Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, who toured under the moniker Page & Plant kicked off their first tour together in 15 years at the Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, FL.

1983: Bob Seger peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Shame on the Moon”, Seger’s sixth top ten single in the U.S.

1980: After performing at the National Stadium in Dublin, U2 were offered a contract with Island Records by talent scout Bill Stewart, who was in attendance.

1977: The Eagles reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the third time with “New Kid in Town”, their first single off of Hotel California which spent one week on top.

1965: Jimmy Page released his debut solo single “She Just Satisfies”. Shortly after it failed to chart, Page would go on to join The Yardbirds.

Birthdays:
Fats Domino born in 1928
Johnny Cash born in 1932
Mitch Ryder born in 1945
Jonathan Cain-keyboardist for Journey born in 1950

February 27th

1998: Motley Crue singer Vince Neil reached an agreement with Vivid Video & the Internet Entertainment Group to distribute a sex tape featuring Neil & two adult film models during a 1992 vacation in Hawaii.

1988: David Lee Roth peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with Skyscraper which was his second and final top ten album in the U.S.

1982: The Cars peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Shake It Up” their first top ten single in the U.S.

1980: At the 22nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, the big winners were The Doobie Brothers & Billy Joel. The Doobie Brothers won four Grammys including Record of the Year & Song of the Year for “What a Fool Believes” & Joel won two Grammys including Album of the Year for 52nd Street.

1977: Keith Richards was arrested at the Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto & was arrested on charges of possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking, which was later reduced to simple possession of heroin & given a suspended sentence, probation for a year & orders to continue rehab & perform a concert on behalf of the CNIB.

1977: Led Zeppelin had to postpone the start of their North American tour in Dallas after Robert Plant came down with laryngitis.

1971: Janis Joplin posthumously reached the topped of the Billboard 200 album chart for the first of nine consecutive weeks with her album Pearl.

1970: Jefferson Airplane was fined $1,000 for obscenity during a concert in Oklahoma City for using profanity onstage.

1967: Pink Floyd completed recording of their debut single “Arnold Layne” with producer Joe Boyd at EMI Studios in London.

Birthdays:
Neal Schon-guitarist for Journey born in 1954
Adrian Smith-guitarist for Iron Maiden born in 1957
Johnny Van Zant-singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd born in 1957

February 28th

2010: Neil Young performed “Long May You Run” during the closing ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver while the Olympic Flame was extinguished.

1996: The original lineup of Kiss made their first public appearance in full makeup & costumes in 17 years at the 38th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Kiss & Tupac Shakur presented the Grammy Award for Best New Artist to Hootie & the Blowfish.

1995: Aerosmith guitarist Brad Withford & drummer Joey Kramer appeared at the Massachusetts State House in Boston where they received the 1995 Commonwealth Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities.

1987: Eddie Van Halen appeared on Saturday Night Live which was being hosted by his then-wife Valerie Bertinelli.

1985: David Byron, the original singer for Uriah Heep, died of alcohol related complications in Reading, U.K. He was 38 years old.

1982: Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham collapsed during Thin Lizzy’s European tour while battling heroin withdrawal.

1970: For a concert in Copenhagen, Led Zeppelin were billed as The Nobs due Eva von Zeppelin threatening to sue them if they used her family name in Denmark.

1970: In an interview with U.K. music magazine New Musical Express original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green discussed his plans to give all of his money away.

1966: The Cavern Club in Liverpool, U.K. made famous by The Beatles’ residency there, closed due to being $15,000 in debt. Police were called after more than 100 fans barricaded themselves in the club to protest the club’s closing. Today, the area where The Cavern Club resided is now a subway station.

Birthdays:
Brian Jones-guitarist for The Rolling Stones born in 1942
Donnie Iris born in 1943