Music History Today: February 6, 2023

February 6, 1999: Justin Bieber burst onto Billboard Hot 100 at Number 5 with his debut single, "Baby." The video has nearly 3 Billion views.

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February 6, 1945: Bob Marley was born at the farm of his maternal grandfather in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica.

In 1963, Bob Marley and some friends formed the Wailing Wailers. Their big break came in 1972 when they signed with Island Records.

Bob Marley

Marley became the first international superstar to emerge from the Third World. In honor of his Bob's birthday in 2011 his son, Stephen Marley performed "Redemption Song" with musicians worldwide for Playing For Change.

 

February 6, 1965: The Righteous Brothers topped the US chart with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."

The husband-and-wife songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" at the request of Phil Spector, for a hit for an act he had just signed to his Philles label: The Righteous Brothers. The song gave the duo and the songwriting team their first number 1 hit. It was Spector's third chart-topper as a producer. 

Read more: Songfacts

February 6, 1982: The J. Geils Band started a six-week run atop the US singles chart with "Centerfold."

J. Geils Band made a name for themselves in the 1970s as a great live act with a blues-based sound.

 

"Centerfold" was a new wave sound similar to what The Cars and The Police were doing. It was their biggest hit, earning them the cover of Rolling Stone and heavy rotation on the new cable network MTV. 

Read more: Songfacts

February 6, 2005: Eminem was at Number 1 on the UK singles chart with "Like Toy Soldiers."

"Like Toy Soldiers" is about feuds in the rap community. Eminem compares the rappers to toy soldiers controlled by a record company that profits from the controversy. Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G, Big L and former D12 member Bugz are shown at the end of the music video. 

Read more: Songfacts

Baby 
Justin Bieber