Monday, February 20, 2023

Music History Today: February 21, 2023

February 21, 1981: REO Speedwagon's ninth album, Hi Infidelity, replaced John Lennon's Double Fantasy atop Billboard's 200 album chart for the next 15 weeks.
Hi Infidelity hit commercial pay-dirt for the Illinois-based group REO Speedwagon.

REO Speedwagon Hi Infidelity album cover art
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The album strikes a nice balance of accessible pop rockers and ballads as the quintet forged a sound that was at once contemporary and featuring some roots rock elements. With six of the album’s ten tracks landing on the American pop charts, the LP became the biggest-selling rock album of 1981 in the US. 
Read more: Classic Rock Review
February 21, 1933: Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina.
Nina Simone began playing the piano at three years old, and by age seven, she had the goal of becoming a concert pianist. After high school, Simone studied a course in piano at New York's prestigious Julliard School of Music but couldn't afford to stay.

Nina Simone
Nina Simone

She took her stage name from the French actress Simone Signoret to keep her Methodist minister mother from finding out about her nightly Atlantic City performances. The first name, Nina, was a nickname from her Hispanic boyfriend, meaning "little one." 
Read more: Songfacts

February 21, 1972: Led Zeppelin released "Rock And Roll/Four Sticks" as a 7-inch single in the U.S. It peaked at Number 47 on Billboard's Hot 100.


February 21, 1975: David Bowie released "Young Americans" as a single.
The single "Young Americans" was David Bowie's breakthrough hit in the United States. The lead instrument in this song, the saxophone, was played by the American jazz player David Sanborn.

David Bowie
David Bowie

He was just getting noticed when Bowie brought him in to play. Bowie hired Luther Vandross, not yet established as a solo artist, to sing backup and create the vocal arrangements on the Young Americans album. 
Read more: Songfacts

February 21, 2005: KT Tunstall released the single "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" from her Eye to the Telescope album.
KT Tunstall got her big break when the rapper Nas, who was scheduled to appear on the Later with Jools Holland show, had to cancel due to a family emergency, and Tunstall received just 24 hours' notice to step in. After the performance, Eye To The Telescope was re-released and went to Number 3 on the UK charts. 
Read more: Songfacts

 

Keep On Lovin' You
REO Speedwagon

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