This date in musical history: February 9
In 1981, Bill Haley, the first idol of the rock 'n' roll era, died of a heart attack in Harlingen, Texas. He was 55. Local residents said Haley had spent the last several years of his life wandering the streets drunk.
Although he had sold about 60-million records by the time of his death, Haley felt that he had not received the financial success or respect that was due him.
In 1955 and until the middle of the following year, Bill Haley and the Comets were the biggest rock attraction in the world with hits such as "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Rock Around the Clock." But by 1958, Haley's career was basically over.
PHOTO: 50s rock'n'roll icon Bill Haley.
Other musical milestones on this date:
In 1891, the Canadian Pacific Railway opened its Vancouver Opera House with a performance by the Emma Juch English Opera company, a touring company from the US. The CPR paid the company $10,000 to perform Wagner's "Lohengrin." The opera house itself cost more than $200,000.
In 1964, the Beatles made their live US television debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show." "I Want to Hold Your Hand" could barely be heard over the screams from the audience, who were also treated to "All My Loving," "Till There Was You," "She Loves You" and "I Saw Her Standing There." There were 50,000 requests for the 725 available seats. The Beatles appeared on the show again a week later. Each program was watched by an estimated 70-million people.
In 1972, Paul McCartney and Wings began an unannounced tour of small clubs and halls in Britain with a show at Nottingham University.
In 1974, Iggy Pop performed for the last time with his band the Stooges at Michigan Palace in Detroit. As the show gradually degenerated into a near-riot, Iggy was struck in the face with a liquor bottle thrown from the audience. He responded by launching into the party classic "Louie Louie," which he threatened to make last 55 minutes. Iggy resurrected the song 19 years later for his album "American Caesar."
In 1975, Cher's solo TV show premiered. Among the guests were Elton John, Bette Middler and Flip Wilson.
In 1976, conductor and arranger Percy Faith died in Los Angeles at the age of 67. The Toronto native had hit singles in 1952 with "Delicado," in 1953 with the "Song From Moulin Rouge" and in 1960 with "Theme From a Summer Place," which received the Grammy Award as Record of the Year. He recorded 45 albums during his lengthy career with Columbia records, and arranged hit records for such artists as Guy Mitchell and Tony Bennett.
In 1978, singer Ray Parker, Junior, made his dramatic debut on an episode of the TV series "Berringers."
In 1987, Kevin DuBrow was fired by Quiet Riot as the heavy-metal quartet's lead singer. Both sides threatened lawsuits over the right to continue to use the group's name.
In 1990, Malaysia's Culture and Tourism Ministry cancelled a LaToya Jackson concert in Kuala Lumpur because her presence would be "against the values and norms of the Malaysian culture." Jackson, who had posed nude for Playboy the previous year, said ... "I guess this means I will cancel my order for candies for members of the government."
In 1991, Reverend James Cleveland, the man revered as the "King of Gospel," died in Los Angeles of heart failure. He was 59. Cleveland taught a nine-year-old Aretha Franklin to sing gospel and inspired countless other artists. Cleveland produced Franklin's 1972 Grammy Award-winning gospel album "Amazing Grace." He's credited with writing and arranging more than 400 gospel songs.
In 1996, Michael Jackson and director Spike Lee arrived in Brazil to film a video for Jackson's song "They Don't Care About Us." The shoot in a Rio de Janeiro slum upset officials trying to revive the city's tourism industry. The crew was reported to have paid off drug traffickers so they could film in the shanty-town.
Born on this date:
In 1942, singer-songwriter Carole King was born in Brooklyn, New York. Along with her then-husband Gerry Goffin, King wrote some of the most successful pop tunes of the 1960's. Among them were "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" for the Shirelles, "Up on the Roof" for the Drifters and "The Loco-Motion" for Little Eva. In the '70s, King started concentrating on her singing. Her 1971 album "Tapestry" became the biggest-selling album of all time, although its sales have since been topped by at least two other albums.
In 1939, pop songwriter Barry Mann.
In 1941, Brian Bennett, drummer with the Shadows, the British instrumental group which also served as the backing band for singer Cliff Richard.
In 1942, Mark Mathis of the '60s British pop group the Newbeats.
In 1944, '60s soul singer Barbara Lewis.
In 1947, country singer Joe Ely; and '70s soul singer Major Harris.
In 1951, Dennis (Dee Dee) Thomas of Kool and the Gang.
In 1960, singer Holly Johnson, formerly of Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
In 1963, country singer Travis Tritt.
In 1966, Willie Triplett of Ready For the World.
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