Oldies Daysheet: Wednesday, February 3

MUSIC NEWS:

Heart, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Barbra Streisand, Carlos Santana and more turned out to record a new version of the USA For Africa charity single "We Are The World" this week. Producer Quincy Jones and singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, who produced and co-wrote the iconic charity anthem with the late Michael Jackson, have confirmed production of a "We Are The World" remake to benefit earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Jones and Richie are working with Haitian-born rapper Wyclef Jean and a legion of celebrity voices on the track. The world premiere of "We Are The World 25 For Haiti" will air during NBC's coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics on Friday, February 12th.


BIRTHDAYS:

The Kinks guitarist Dave Davies is 63.


The Temptations' Dennis Edwards is 67.

The Hollies bassist Eric Haydock is 68.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts drummer Lee Crystal is 52.

Melanie is 63.

Dion and the Belmonts' Angelo D'Aleo is 69.

MUSIC HISTORY:
In 1958

Paul Anka's "You Are My Destiny" and Elvis Presley's "I Beg Of You" broke into the Top 40.

In 1959

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and P.J. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed an a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

In 1961

Bob Dylan made his first recording, taping "San Francisco Bay Blues" in New York.

In 1962

Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love" peaked at number two on the pop singles chart.

The Shirelles' "Baby, It's You" peaked at number eight on the pop singles chart.

The Everly Brothers' "Crying in the Rain" broke into the Top 40.

In 1964

The Beatles single "I Want To Hold Your Hand" backed with "I Saw Her Standing There" was certified Gold. It was the group's first Gold certification.

In 1967

Jimi Hendrix recorded the song "Purple Haze."

Producer Joe Meek killed himself in an apparent murder-suicide incident. He was 38. He's best remembered for writing and producing The Tornados' hit "Telstar."

In 1968

The Lemon Pipers' "Green Tambourine" hit number one on the pop singles chart.

The Human Beinz's "Nobody But Me" peaked at number eight on the pop singles chart.

Dionne Warwick's "(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls" broke into the Top 40.

Paul McCartney and a host of studio musicians recorded the track "Lady Madonna."

In 1969

John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr signed on with Alan Klein to become their business manager. Paul McCartney wouldn't sign with Klein, but instead wanted to work with girlfriend Linda's father, Lee Eastman.

In 1972

Leon Russell's album "Leon Russell & The Shelter People" was certified Gold.

In 1973

Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" hit number one on the pop singles chart.

Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man" peaked at number seven on the pop singles chart.

Paul McCartney and Wings' "Hi Hi Hi" peaked at number ten on the pop singles chart.

Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song," Dr. Hook's "The Cover of the Rolling Stone," and Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell's "Dueling Banjos" broke into the Top 40.

In 1976

David Bowie kicked off a North American tour with a show in Seattle.

In 1978

Harry Chapin met with then-President Jimmy Carter to discuss hunger in America.

In 1979

Del Shannon and The Drifters were among the artists who performed at a 20th anniversary concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, commemorating the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.

In 1981

Diana Ross' album "Diana" and Stevie Wonder's album "Hotter Than July" were certified Gold and Platinum.

In 1992

Neil Young and John Mellencamp helped announce plans for a fifth Farm Aid Concert, to take place on March 14th in Irvine, Texas.

In 1993

Paul McCartney taped a concert for MTV at The Ed Sullivan Theater in New York.

Eric Clapton's album "Unplugged" was certified multi-Platinum, while his "Unplugged" video was certified Platinum.

Neil Young's album "Harvest Moon" was certified Platinum.

In 1995

The Beatles' album "Live at the BBC" was certified Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum, while Rush's album "Archives" was certified Gold and Platinum.

In 1997

Graham Nash was honored by the New York Institute of Technology with an Arts and Technology Medal and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his efforts to bridge art and technology.

In 2000

Bob Dylan and The Band's album "The Basement Tapes" was certified Gold.

In 2002

Paul McCartney, Patti LaBelle, and Barry Manilow were among the performers at the Super Bowl.

In 2003

Phil Spector was arrested in connection with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. He was later released on one-million-dollars bail.

In 2004

Phil Spector revealed that he was no longer being represented by one-time O.J. Simpson lawyer Robert Shapiro, and instead had retained the services of Leslie Abramson. Abramson made a name for herself as the defense attorney for convicted killer Erik Menendez, who along with his brother, Lyle, was found guilty of murdering his parents.

Sax player Cornelius Bumpus, who had worked with a number of artists including the Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, and Steely Dan, died of a heart attack while on a plane from New York to California. He was 52.

The CD and DVD "Soul Comes Home," featuring performances from Isaac Hayes, Mavis Staples, Al Green, and others at the concert launching the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, was released.

In 2005

The family of Lana Clarkson filed a lawsuit against Phil Spector, accusing the legendary producer of negligence, battery, and wrongful death in connection with the woman's 2003 passing. Spector, who's also involved in criminal proceedings relating to the case, has pled not guilty to the murder charge he's facing, and has said he also isn't responsible for Clarkson's death.

Former Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir was among the rockers who participated in the Dave Matthews and Friends Caribbean Cruise Getaway, which set sail from South Florida

In 2007

Former Patti Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye emceed a benefit concert in Brooklyn, New York in support of Question Mark and the Mysterians frontman Question Mark, whose home was destroyed in a fire a few weeks earlier.

In 2008

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were the halftime performers for Super Bowl 42 in Glendale, Arizona, while "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem before the big game.

Stevie Wonder performed at a rally in Los Angeles in support of Illinois Senator Barack Obama a couple of days before the California primary.

DISTANT REPLAY:

In 1959, a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa, claimed the lives of rockers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J-P "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Don McLean remembered the event in his classic song "American Pie," calling it "the day the music died." Holly was 22-years-old, Valens was 17 and The Big Bopper was 28.