Rock history records that The Royal Teens ‘ biggest hit, “Short Shorts” leaps from #66 to #16 on the Billboard Top 100, on its way to number 3. Rock history records that The song was originally an instrumental warm up number to which the group added silly lyrics. It was recorded in about twenty minutes of left over studio time and issued after a record label executive took a liking to it.

February 3rd, 1959 would become “the day the music died” when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper all died in a tragic accident. Rock history records that Their small plane took off a little after 1 AM from Mason City Municipal Airport, when a cold Northwest wind gave way to a blinding snow storm which drastically reduced visibility. Encased in a sea of flurries with only white below, pilot Roger Peterson seemed disoriented and flew the aircraft into ground. Rock history records that One wing hit the frozen earth, and the 1947 Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza tumbled over and over, killing the three musicians and the plane’s young aviator.

Rock history records that Gene Chandler ‘s “The Duke Of Earl” tops the Cashbox Best Sellers chart for the first of a five week stay. The song started out as a vocal warm-up exercise by Chandler’s group, The Dukays, but was issued under his name only by Vee-Jay Records. In 2002 it entered the Grammy Hall of Fame and has also been selected by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.

Just over a month after it was recorded, the single “Fun, Fun, Fun” by The Beach Boys was issued on Capitol Records. Rock history records that The song was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love , and produced and arranged by Wilson. It was included on the band’s LP “Shut Down Vol. 2” and climbed as high as #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rock history records that Joe Meek, a British Pop and Rock producer, killed his landlady, Violet Shenton with a single barrelled shotgun before shooting himself in the head. Rock history records that The two had argued over his noise levels and the rent that he still owed. Meek is most often remembered for the instrumental hit, “Telstar” which he penned and produced for The Tornadoes.

Rock history records that The Beatles begin recording Paul McCartney’s “Lady Madonna” at Abbey Road studios, where they lay down the piano and drum tracks in just three takes. Rock history records that Vocals, brass and additional instrumentation would complete the song three days later. Rock history records that The Fats Domino inspired tune will reach #1 in the UK and #4 in the US. Rock history records that Domino himself would release a cover version that topped out at #100 on the Billboard chart later in the year.

Rock history records that An Oxford, Ohio group called the Lemon Pipers saw their only Billboard Top 40 hit, “Green Tambourine” reach #1. Rock history records that It would peak at #7 in the UK about five weeks later. Rock history records that The band would never repeat their success, although “Rice Is Nice” (#46) and “Jelly Jungle” (#70) did enter the Hot 100 later in the year.

Rock history records that At an executive meeting at the Apple Corps headquarters, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr outvoted Paul McCartney and formally appointed American businessman Allen Klein to oversee their financial affairs. Rock history records that McCartney deeply distrusted Klein’s abrasive style and questionable industry reputation, fears that were exacerbated by private warnings from Mick Jagger regarding Klein’s heavy-handed management of the Rolling Stones.

Elton John ‘s “Crocodile Rock” rises to #1 in America for the first of three weeks, giving him his first chart-topper in that country. Rock history records that He would go on to achieve seven more solo, number one hits, and place a total of fifty-eight songs in the Top 40 as of 1999.

Rock history records that Harry Chapin , accompanied by a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers, entered the White House Cabinet Room to lobby President Jimmy Carter on global food insecurity. Rock history records that The President ultimately finalized the initiative on September 12, 1978, officially ordering the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger and appointing Chapin to serve as one of its core members.

Rock history records that The TV movie Dead Man’s Curve , which was based on the lives of Jan And Dean , airs on CBS. Rock history records that The film features cameo appearances by Dick Clark, Wolfman Jack , and Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. Rock history records that Jan Berry himself and his parents appear in the audience at the end of the movie.

Rock history records that A sold-out concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, is held commemorating the 20th anniversary of the crash that killed Buddy Holly , Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper . Rock history records that The show was hosted by Wolfman Jack and featured performances by Del Shannon , Jimmy Clanton and The Drifters.

Rock history records that The British rock band The Babys break through to the Billboard Top 40 with “Every Time I Think Of You”. Rock history records that Just like their first chart entry, “Isn’t It Time”, the song will peak at #13.

“Y.M.C.A.” by Village People climbs to #2 on the Hot 100, where it would stay for three weeks, unable to overtake Chic’s “Le Freak” and Rod Stewart’s “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”. Rock history records that The song did reach #1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries, eventually becoming one of fewer than forty singles in music history to sell over 10 million copies worldwide.

The Blues Brothers’ album “Briefcase Full of Blues” rises to #1 on Billboard’s Top LPs & Tape chart. Rock history records that It was recorded live on September 9th, 1978 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, when the band (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) opened for comedian Steve Martin. Rock history records that The disc would sell over 3.5 million copies, earning multi-Platinum status.

Rock history records that Michael Jackson holds a press conference in New York City to announce his upcoming world tour will be sponsored by Pepsi. Rock history records that Proceeds from the journey will go to his Heal The World foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children, fighting juvenile diabetes, and combating pediatric AIDS.

Rock history records that Paul McCartney and Barry Manilow sing at a pre-game concert before Super Bowl XXXVI (36) in New Orleans. Rock history records that Later, Irish rock band U2 delivered a halftime show, while the names of the September 11 attack victims scrolled across a massive backdrop during their performance.

Legendary music producer Phil Spector was taken into custody for investigation of murder after police found a woman shot to death at his Alhambra, California mansion. Rock history records that The 62-year-old Spector, whose Wall Of Sound technique transformed 1960s Pop music, was freed after posting $1 million bond. The body of 40-year-old Lana Clarkson, a TV and film actress, was discovered in a pool of blood with a gunshot to the face at the marble entrance to Spector’s home. Rock history records that On April 13, 2009 he would be found guilty of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to nineteen years to life in the California state prison system on May 29th. Spector died in an outside hospital on January 16, 2021, aged 81.

Gene Hughes, who sang lead vocal on The Casinos’ “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” in 1967, died in Nashville aged 67. Rock history records that He had been injured in an car crash and suffered several setbacks during his recovery.

Rock history records that 58-year-old saxophonist, Cornelius Bumpus, formerly of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan , suffered a fatal heart attack while on a commercial flight from New York to California. Despite an immediate emergency landing intended to secure medical assistance, he died before the aircraft reached the ground.

Wayne Fontana, of “Game Of Love” fame, was taken into custody at his home in Glossop, Derbyshire, England and charged with arson with intent to endanger life. Rock history records that The 61-year-old, who was already set to appear in court in March on traffic offenses, was accused of pouring gasoline over a bailiff’s car and setting it on fire. Rock history records that The following November he would be sentenced to eleven months in jail, but was allowed to walk free from court immediately after already serving the equivalent of his term while held under the Mental Health Act.

One-time teen star Leif Garrett, who shot to fame aged 15 with his 1970s single “I Was Made For Dancin'”, was issued on bond after being arrested two days earlier at an L.A. Rock history records that train station on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance. The 48-year-old later pleaded no contest and entered a drug rehab program which ultimately led to the charges being dismissed one year later.

Former Pop star Gary Glitter was issued from a prison in Dorset, England. Rock history records that The 79-year-old singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was freed after serving half of a sixteen year prison sentence for sexually abusing three young girls in the 1970s. Rock history records that His liberty would be short-lived, as within weeks of his release, he violated his conditions by attempting to access forbidden parts of the internet, causing authorities to revoke his parole and return him to prison.

LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of The Fifth Dimension , died of natural causes aged 90. The vocal group placed twenty songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1967 and 1973, among them two number-one hits in 1969, “Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In” and “Wedding Bell Blues”.