This date in musical history: February 14
In 1988, Frederick Loewe, who created the unforgettable tunes for Alan Jay Lerner's lyrics in "My Fair Lady," "Brigadoon" and "Gigi," died in Palm Springs, California at the age of 86.
During an 18-year partnership, Lerner and Loewe wrote "Brigadoon" in 1947, "My Fair Lady" in 1956 and "Camelot" in 1960. The team reunited in 1973 for a Broadway production of "Gigi," which they had done as a film in 1958.
"Almost Like Being in Love," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On the Street Where You Live," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and "If Ever I Should Leave You" were among the classic songs produced by the partnership. Lerner and Loewe's collaboration began with a one-night flop in Detroit in 1942. They parted bitterly after "Camelot," their last Broadway hit, in 1960. After they reunited in 1973, they remained friends until Lerner's death in 1986.
Other musical milestones on this date:
In 1964, Canadian singer and folklorist Conrad Gauthier died in Montreal at the age of 78. He was a pioneer in the recording of Quebec folk music in the early 1920's, making more than 100 78's of songs and monologues for the Victor and Columbia labels.
In 1970, a Who concert at Leeds University in England was recorded, and would be released as the album "Live at Leeds."
In 1972, "Grease," a musical with a 1950's rock score by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, opened off-Broadway. Among the original cast members were Barry Bostwick and Adrienne Barbeau. The show moved to Broadway later in 1972, and when it closed in 1980, it was one of the longest running musicals in history. A film version of "Grease," directed by Randal Kleiser, was made in 1977. The movie included several additional songs. Among them were Barry Gibb's title tune, which became a hit for Frankie Valli, and John Farrar's "You're the One That I Want," a million-seller for the film's stars, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
Also on this date in 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a week as co-hosts of the Mike Douglas television talk show.
In 1973, a male fan tried to kiss David Bowie on stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Bowie collapsed from exhaustion at the end of the elaborate Valentine's Day show, which opened with him dropping to the stage in a glass-domed space capsule. Later in the year, Bowie announced his retirement from concert appearances. The retirement lasted less than a year.
In 1974, Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille - the Captain and Tennille - were married in California.
In 1981, Generation X, the London punk band led by Billy Idol, broke up. Idol left for the US, where he would have such hits as "Eyes Without a Face" in 1984 and "To Be a Lover" in '86.
In 1984, the publicly bisexual Elton John married sound engineer Renate Blauel in an Anglican church in a suburb of Sydney, Australia. Their engagement was a mere five days. The pair seldom lived together and they divorced in 1988. Blauel was reported to have received a 45-million-dollar divorce settlement.
In 1986, Frank Zappa appeared on "Miami Vice" as a crime boss named "Mr. Frankie."
In 1987, singer Paul Simon performed before 20,000 people in the first of two shows at a soccer stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe. Sharing the stage with Simon were the black South African artists who helped him record his best-selling "Graceland" LP. Simon performed for free, and proceeds from the concerts went to charity.
Also on this date in 1987, George Strait became the first artist to debut an album at number one on Billboard's country chart when "Ocean Front Property" went to the top spot in its first week.
Still on this date in 1987, George F. Tibbles, the composer and writer who put Woody Woodpecker's mischievous laugh to music, died in Palm Desert, California at the age of 73. Tibbles was nominated for a best-song Academy Award in 1948 for "The Woody Woodpecker Song," which topped the Billboard chart for six weeks in a version by bandleader Kay Kyser.
In 1990, the Rolling Stones played their first-ever concert in Japan before 50,000 people at the Korakuen Dome in Tokyo.
In 1994, Michael Jackson sang a cappella passages from his songs "Billie Jean" and "Dangerous" in a Denver, Colorado, courtroom while testifying in a copyright infringement case. Crystal Cartier had claimed Jackson stole one of her songs but the case was dismissed. The court later began selling audio transcripts of Jackson's testimony, including his singing, at $15 a tape.
In 1996, the artist formerly known as Prince married Puerto Rican belly dancer and singer Mayte Garcia in a Valentine's Day ceremony at a Methodist church in Minneapolis. About 200 fans and 75 members of the media gathered outside didn't even get a glimpse of the couple because they left via a canopy from the church door to their limousine.
Born on this date:
In 1917, Canadian composer and arranger William McCauley was born in Tofield, Alberta. He composed the score for CBC TV's "The Whiteoaks of Jalna" in 1972 and "Riel" in 1979.
In 1935, trombonist Rob McConnell, leader of the Boss Brass, was born in London, Ontario. McConnell formed the 16-piece Boss Brass, which was later expanded to 22 members, in 1968. The Boss Brass has become one of Canada's best - and best-known - jazz bands.
In 1943, folk singer and songwriter Eric Andersen was born in Pittsburgh. He is best-known for his compositions "Thirsty Boots," "Violets of Dawn," "Be True to You" and "Is It Really Love At All." Among the artists who have recorded his songs are Judy Collins, Joan Baez and Johnny Cash. Andersen's 1973 album "Blue River" is his best-seller.
In 1947, singer and songwriter Tim Buckley was born in Washington, DC. Hailed in the 1960s as a rival to Bob Dylan, Buckley was highly regarded by musicians as diverse as Paul Simon, Eric Clapton and Frank Zappa. His second LP, "Goodbye and Hello," made the top 20 on the album charts in 1967. Buckley's later, more experimental albums did not meet with commercial success. On June 25th, 1975, Tim Buckley died in Santa Monica, California of a heroin and morphine overdose after snorting what he had believed to be cocaine. The owner of the house where he died was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
In 1934, singer-actress Florence Henderson.
In 1937, Jean Bonhomme, principal tenor at the Royal Opera House in London from 1965 to '69, in Ottawa.
In 1938, Canadian folksinger Alexandre Zelkine, in Lyons, France.
In 1939, country singer Razzy Bailey.
In 1946, actor-singer Gregory Hines.
In 1951, Michael Doucet, leader of the Cajun band Beausoleil.
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