Television, Robert Plant, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Van Halen, Dire Straits, Blondie, Black Sabbath and Bon Jovi
FEBRUARY 8, 1977: TELEVISION’S MARQUEE MOON
Television pushed the boundaries of the New York scene on Marquee Moon by centering the record around the complex, spiraling guitar duels of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd. Their unique chemistry created a cerebral “art-punk” masterpiece that was perfectly complemented by Robert Mapplethorpe’s iconic cover portrait of the band.
FEBRUARY 8, 2009: RAISING SAND WINS BIG AT THE GRAMMYS
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss‘ Raising Sand is the highest charting album for Plant outside of his work with Led Zeppelin.
The album won 5 Grammys; sweeping all categories in which it was nominated:
Record of the Year, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, and Album of the Year.
FEBRUARY 9, 1964: THE BEATLES APPEAR ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW
The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first of 3 consecutive Sunday appearances.
73 million viewers tuned in to see the Beatles play “All My Loving”, “Till There Was You”, “She Loves You”, “I Saw Her Standing There” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.
Two days later, on Feb. 11, they played their first US concert at Washington Coliseum in D.C. in front of 8,000 fans.
FEBRUARY 10, 1966: PET SOUNDS PHOTOSHOOT
None of the Beach Boys clearly recall whose idea it was to shoot the Pet Sounds cover at the San Diego Zoo.
The group’s unruly behavior resulted in them being banned from the San Diego Zoo for life.
The Beach Boys are not welcome back and never will be. – John Muth, San Diego zoo superintendent
FEBRUARY 10, 1978: VAN HALEN’S DEBUT ALBUM
Van Halen‘s self-titled debut was recorded in 3 weeks for $40,000. Containing “Jamie’s Cryin’”, “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love”, “Runnin’ with the Devil” and a cover of The Kinks‘ “You Really Got Me”, it has sold well over 10 million copies in the US alone.
FEBRUARY 10, 1979: “SULTANS OF SWING” BY DIRE STRAITS
Dire Straits catapulted to global fame with “Sultans of Swing” from their self-titled debut album, which reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track helped drive the album to double-Platinum status in both the US and the UK, solidifying Mark Knopfler as one of the most respected guitarists in rock history.
FEBRUARY 12, 1977: BLONDIE’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT
Blondie bridged the gap between 1960s girl-group pop and the gritty New York underground with their self-titled debut album, Blondie. While the record initially saw more success overseas, the effortless cool of Debbie Harry and the band’s sharp songwriting eventually earned them a Gold certification as they became icons of the New Wave movement.
FEBRUARY 13, 1970: BLACK SABBATH’S DEBUT ALBUM
It’s not a coincidence that Black Sabbath‘s debut album was released on Friday the 13th.
Upon being released, the album received negative reviews from the critics. However, the album would go on to influence heavy metal, doom metal and stoner rock.
FEBRUARY 14, 1987: BON JOVI’S “LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER” IS #1
Two months after earning their first #1 single with “You Give Love a Bad Name,” Bon Jovi returned to the top.
“Livin’ on a Prayer” spent two weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
It would continue it’s reign for an additional four weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100 on its way to 3 million copies sold.
