Music history and highlights that have happened on February 11th… from the birthplace of the blues… and rock n’ roll.
1911: Blues, folk and gospel musician and civil rights activist Josh White born in Greenville, South Carolina.
1922: Al Jolson’s “April Showes” hits No. 1.
1935: Important early rock singer and guitarist Gene Vincent (“Be Bop-A-Lula”) born in Norfolk, Virginia.
1938: “Monster Mash” singer Bobby “Boris” Pickett born in Somerville, Massachusetts.
1939: Import song lyric writer and partner of Carol King, Gerry Goffin born in Queens, New York.
1941: Brazilian jazz musician Sergio Mendes born in greater Rio De Janeiro.
1942: R&B and gospel singer Otis Clay born in Waxhaw, Mississippi.
1949: Hank Williams releases “Lovesick Blues”, which became Best Hillbilly Record of the Year by Cashbox and Billboard’s Song of the Year in 1949, and one of the greatest songs of all time.
1950: “Rag Mop” by the Ames Brothers reaches No. 1 on U.S. charts.
1956: Elvis Presley performs “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Heartbreak Hotel” on “Stage Show” television program.
1962: The Beatles record “Please, Please Me” in London.
1962: Rock singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow born in Kennett, Missouri.
1963: The Beatles tape 10 tracks for their first album.
1965: Ringo Starr marries Maureen Cox.
1972: Led Zeppelin has their 3rd Top 20 hit with “Black Dog / Misty Mountain Hop”, named after a Labrador retriever that played around the studios where they were recording.
1979: Singer Brandy (Brandy Rayana Norwood) born in McComb, Mississippi (Les Miserables, Moisha).
1981: Singer, actress and Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland born in Atlanta (“Motivation”, “Kisses Down Low”, “Dirty Laundry”).
1985: The Police win Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award in London.
1998: Handwritten lyrics to “Candle in the Wind” by Bernie Taupin and Elton John auctioned off at Christie’s in Los Angeles for $400,000 to benefit the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles on behalf of The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
2007: Country singer Carrie Underwood wins at 49th Grammy Awards.
2009: The Ronettes singer Estelle Bennett (“Be My Baby”) passes on.
2012: Singer and actress Whitney Houston passes away in a tragic accident.