Oldies Daysheet: Friday, February 5, 2010

BIRTHDAYS:

Three Dog Night frontman Cory Wells is 68.

The Standells organist Larry Tamblyn is 67.

Two members of Blood, Sweat, and Tears share a birthday. Trumpet player Charles Winfield is 67, and keyboardist Al Kooper is 66.

Former Steve Miller Band guitarist David Denny is 62.

Singer-songwriter Barrett Strong is 69. While he had a hit in 1960 with the song "Money," Strong had greater success as a Motown Records staff lyricist. He penned such classics as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," Edwin Starr's "War," and the Grammy-winning Temptations' hit "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Hal Blaine is 81. He's a session drummer who played on many of Phil Spector's famous "Wall of Sound" sessions in the early 1960s.

MUSIC HISTORY:

In 1955

The Penguins' "Earth Angel" peaked at number eight on the pop singles chart.

In 1957

Bill Haley arrived in London to begin his first tour of the UK.

In 1960

Neil Sedaka recorded the songs "Stairway to Heaven" and "Run Samson Run" in a session in New York.

In 1966

Petula Clark's "My Love" hit number one on the pop singles chart.

The Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'" and Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made For Walking" broke into the Top 40.

Paul Revere and the Raiders appeared on "American Bandstand."

In 1969

The Monkees were a guest on "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour."

The Beatles' album "Yellow Submarine" was certified Gold.

In 1972

Badfinger's "Day After Day" peaked at number four on the pop singles chart.

T. Rex's "Telegram Sam" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.

Bread's "Everything I Own" and Carole King's "Sweet Seasons" broke into the Top 40.

New releases included Paul Simon's first solo single, "Mother and Child Reunion," and Neil Young's single "Heart of Gold.

In 1973

Elton John's single "Crocodile Rock" was certified Gold.

In 1979

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their self-titled album.

In 1980

The Styx album "Cornerstone" was certified Gold and Platinum.

In 1981

Joni Mitchell was inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame in Canada.

In 1991

Eric Clapton kicked off a 24-night stand at London's Royal Albert Hall, highlights from which were released as the two-disc set, "24 Nights."

In 1993

Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood reunited for an appearance at Universal Studios in Los Angeles to tape the MTV special "Unplugged."

In 1998

Elton John and Stevie Wonder performed at the White House at a state dinner for British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In 2002

Barry Manilow performed a concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and donated the proceeds from the show to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. The fund was established by former President Bill Clinton and former Senator Bob Dole to help the families of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Yusuf Islam, who's also known as Cat Stevens, issued a statement calling on those who had kidnapped "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl to, quote, "show the world the Mercy of Islam" and set him free.

In 2003

Former Doors drummer John Densmore filed a lawsuit against the other surviving members of the band and its new singer and drummer, claiming they were violating a copyright by using the name The Doors.

T. Rex percussionist Mickey Finn was remembered at a private funeral service in London. He had died on January 11th after a lengthy period of poor health, including liver and kidney problems. He was 55.

Elton John and Lulu were among the performers at a benefit concert for London's Old Vic Theater.

In 2005

"Lynyrd Skynyrd's Super Bowl Saturday Night Special" aired on CMT.

In 2006

The Rolling Stones provided the halftime entertainment at Super Bowl 40 in Detroit. Stevie Wonder was among the artists who participated in the pregame show, while Aaron Neville, Aretha Franklin, and Dr. John collaborated on the national anthem at the start of the game.

In 2007

The Beatles and the Apple computer company reached a new agreement in their lengthy trademark infringement dispute.

Phil Spector reached a settlement in his lawsuit against his former assistant, whom he accused of taking several hundred-thousand-dollars from his different accounts without authorization. The settlement included the assistant dropping her countersuit, and she was ordered to pay Spector 900-thousand-dollars.

In 2008

The Elvis Presley license plate was unveiled at an event at the Elvis Automobile Museum at Graceland Plaza in Memphis. The Tennessee plate raises money for the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center in Memphis.

DISTANT REPLAY:

In 1971, the Apollo 14 astronauts, Alan Shepard Jr. and Edgar Mitchell landed on the moon.