February 12 has been etched into the memory of many due to its iconic milestones in music history. This day has witnessed historic album releases, groundbreaking achievements, and even tragic deaths. Below are the notable happenings that took place on February 12 through the years.
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Major Events in Music History (February 12)
- The Rolling Stones’ First Concert In the USA (1964) – In California, The Rolling Stones’ first concert in the United States was held in San Bernardino Swing Auditorium, California.
- Jimi Hendrix And The Famous Purple Haze Song (1967) – Purple Haze, one of Hendrix most famous songs, was recorded at Olympic Studios in London, and is now one of the most recognized songs of the psychedelic rock movement.
- David Bowie’s Changes Was Released as a Single (1972) – Changes By David Bowie Was Released As A Single (1972) – The song that is considered one of Bowie’s hits was released by the record company as a single from his album Hunky Dory.
- Pink Floyd Premieres The Dark Side of the Moon During a Live Concert (1972) – The band performed an early version of The Dark Side of the Moon at the Rainbow Theater in London prior to the official release of the album.
- Elton John’s Bennie and the Jets Was Released (1974) – One of Elton John’s most famous songs, “Bennie and the Jets,” was released, later becoming a major hit in the U.S. and a staple of his live performances.
- Rod Stewart’s Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? Hit No. 1 on Billboard (1979) – The disco-influenced hit reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of Stewart’s biggest commercial successes.
- The Police Won Their First Grammy (1982) – The British band won their first Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Behind My Camel.”
- Madonna’s Like a Virgin Album Spent Its Sixth Week at No. 1 (1985) – The album continued to dominate the Billboard 200 chart, establishing Madonna as the queen of pop.
- Paul Simon’s Graceland Won Album of the Year at the Grammys (1987) – Simon’s groundbreaking album, which blended American and South African musical influences, won the prestigious Grammy award.
- Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel Hit No. 1 (1988) – The hit single from Bad reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, becoming another iconic song in Jackson’s catalog.
- Eric Clapton Won Record of the Year for Tears in Heaven (1993) – Clapton’s emotional song, written after the tragic loss of his son, won Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
- Tupac Shakur Released From Prison (1995) – After his stint in prison due to an assault charge, Tupac secured bail using funds from Death Row Records, which later signed him on and facilitated the production of All Eyez On Me.
- Shakira Released Her First English-Language Album Laundry Service in The Uk (2002) – The album, containing songs like Whenever Wherever, catapulted Shakira into global fame.
- Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me Dominated The Grammys (2003) – Jones received the Album of the Year award for her debut studio album while winning four other Grammy Awards including Best New Artist.
- Kanye West Released His Debut Album The College Dropout (2004) – The album that brought a new style of hip hop with soul beats and introspective lyrics marked the start of Kanye’s prominent career, winning over a slew of new listeners.
- Adele’s 21 Returned to No. 1 On The Billboard 200 (2011) – Adele’s album which broke numerous records has became one of the best selling albums of all time continued its reign on the charts.
- Lady Gaga Became The First Woman To Win An Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, And Golden Globe In The Same Year (2019) – Gaga’s spectacular accolade came after earning the Oscar for Shallow from A Star Is Born.
- BTS Became the First K-Pop Group to Perform at the Grammys (2020) – South Korean international superstars made history as the first K-Pop group to perform at the Grammy Awards, marking another milestone for their global success
- The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights Became the Longest-Charting Billboard Hot 100 Song (2021) – The single, Blinding Lights, by The Weeknd, broke records with the longest tenure of any single on the Billboard HOT 100 chart.
- Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Featured a Historic Hip-Hop Lineup (2022) – The 56th Superbowl was graced with the presence of some of the most iconic musicians who have contributed to the evolution of hip-hop, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent.
Notable Birthdays in Music (February 12)
Like many other famous musicians, songwriters and performers, February 12 is notable for the birth of multiple famous musicians across many fields. This date is also particular to some legendary rock stars and pop culture as it is the birthday of wonderful singers and entertainers.
- Sheryl Crow (1962) – Pop and rock Grammy Award winning singer who is famous for her songs like All I Wanna Do and If It Makes You Happy.
- Ray Manzarek (1939) – The Doors keyboardist and founding member of the band, who was instrumental in the band’s signature sound on hit songs like Light My Fire.
- Steve Hackett (1950) – The Genesis guitarist during the early years of the famous progressive rock band’s founding and his brilliant guitar playing style gave the band a lot of prominence.
- Michael McDonald (1952) – Famed Doobie Brothers singer and songwriter, he’s also a notable Grammy solo artist and award winning musician.
- Josh Brolin (1968) – Known for his acting, Brolin has done some music related projects.
- Arsenio Hall (1956) – Notable comedian and TV host of The Arsenio Hall Show, which helped tremendously in marketing hip hop and R&B acts.
- Vincent Cavanagh (1973) – Vocalist and guitarist of Anathema, a band that transitioned from doom metal to atmospheric rock.
- Brian Robertson (1956) – Scottish guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.
- Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (1933) – Spanish conductor, renowned for his interpretations of orchestral and operatic music.
- Miroslav Vitouš (1947) – Czech jazz bassist, a founding member of the jazz fusion group Weather Report.
- Darren Aronofsky (1969) – While best known as a filmmaker, he has collaborated with several musicians and composers, significantly impacting film scores and soundtracks.
- Gene McDaniels (1935) – Soul and pop singer-songwriter known for hits like A Hundred Pounds of Clay.
- Judy Dyble (1949) – English folk singer and original vocalist for Fairport Convention.
- Oscar Feltsman (1921) – Soviet and Russian composer known for writing numerous popular songs and operettas.
- Lisa Hannigan (1981) – Irish singer-songwriter and musician, formerly part of Damien Rice’s band before launching a successful solo career.
- David Grahame (1952) – American power pop musician and songwriter, known for his work with various rock bands.
- Guillermo Álvarez Guedes (1927) – Cuban entertainer and musician, celebrated for his contributions to Latin music and comedy.
- Damien Lovelock (1954) – Australian musician and lead singer of the punk rock band The Celibate Rifles.
- Joe Harris (1943) – Belgian pop singer, well known in the European music scene during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Paul Bostaph (1964) – Heavy metal drummer, best known for playing with Slayer, Testament, and Exodus.
Music Legends We Lost (February 12)
February 12 marks the death anniversary of various remarkable musicians, songwriters, and influencers throughout the history of music. Their contributions to different genres have truly moved the hearts of many people throughout generations. Below are some of the music legends we lost on this day.
- Bill Doggett (1996) – Jazz and R&B pianist and organist, best known for the instrumental hit Honky Tonk.
- Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (2000) – Eccentric blues and rock singer famous for his theatrical performances and the classic I Put a Spell on You.
- Wayne King (1985) – American musician and bandleader, known as The Waltz King for his popular dance music during the early 20th century.
- Michael Rabin (1972) – Classical violinist who was regarded as one of the most talented virtuosos of his time.
- Donald Byrd (2013) – Jazz trumpeter and bandleader who played a major role in the development of hard bop and jazz fusion.
- Jean Coulthard (2000) – Canadian composer known for her contributions to classical and contemporary music.
- James Sugar Boy Crawford (2012) – R&B singer-songwriter, best known for writing Jock-A-Mo, later adapted into Iko Iko by The Dixie Cups.
- Ernst Vermeulen (2001) – Dutch musician and trombonist, influential in the European jazz scene.
- Don Pullen (1995) – Jazz pianist known for his avant-garde style and contributions to jazz fusion.
- Pierre Dørge (2022) – Danish jazz guitarist and composer known for his innovative approach to world music and jazz fusion.
- Martha Wright (2016) – Broadway and pop singer who starred in major productions of South Pacific and The Sound of Music.
- Dave Alexander (1975) – Bassist for The Stooges, playing a key role in shaping early punk rock.
- Muriel Smith (1985) – Singer and actress who performed in numerous operas and musicals, including Carmen Jones.
- Nick Curran (2012) – Rockabilly and blues guitarist, known for his energetic performances and revivalist sound.
- Dimitri Mitropoulos (1960) – Greek conductor, pianist, and composer, influential in the world of classical music.
- Herb Hall (1996) – Jazz clarinetist, known for his work in traditional jazz and swing music.
- Arno Babajanian (1983) – Armenian composer and pianist, recognized for his classical and folk-influenced compositions.
- Tom Rapp (2018) – Psychedelic folk musician, best known as the frontman of Pearls Before Swine.
- Red McKenzie (1948) – Jazz musician and vocalist, known for pioneering the use of comb and tissue paper as an instrument.
- Kenneth G. Mills (2004) – Canadian composer and conductor, known for his contributions to choral and orchestral music.
Notable Albums Released (February 12)
February 12 has also proven to be an important date on the calendar for releasing albums of all genres and even pop culture. Many albums have been released on this date which single handedly changed the careers of many performers and set new industry standards. Below are the most notable albums released on this day.
- The College Dropout (2004) by Kanye West – A groundbreaking debut album that reshaped hip-hop with its soulful beats and introspective lyrics, featuring Jesus Walks and Through the Wire.
- Come Away with Me (2002) by Norah Jones – A jazz-pop masterpiece that won multiple Grammys, including Album of the Year, featuring Don’t Know Why.
- The Hunter (1982) by Blondie – The band’s final album before their breakup, featuring Island of Lost Souls and War Child.
- Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) (1987) by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – A rock album featuring Jammin’ Me, co-written with Bob Dylan.
- Night Watch (1973) by Fleetwood Mac – A lesser-known but influential album from Fleetwood Mac’s blues-rock era.
- I Am a Photograph (1977) by Amanda Lear – A glam disco album featuring Tomorrow and Blood and Honey, making her an icon in the European music scene.
- Closer (1980) by Joy Division (Re-release) – The post-punk classic was reissued on this date, continuing to influence alternative rock bands.
- Adrenaline (1995) by Deftones (Re-release) – The debut album from Deftones, laying the foundation for their signature nu-metal sound.
- Give Me the Night (1980) by George Benson (Re-release) – A jazz-funk album produced by Quincy Jones, featuring the hit title track.
- Chimes of Freedom (2012) by Various Artists – A compilation album celebrating Amnesty International, with covers of Bob Dylan songs by artists like Adele and Miley Cyrus.
- Blue Valentine (1978) by Tom Waits (Re-release) – A bluesy and jazz-influenced album featuring Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis.
- Up Close & Personal (2006) by Angie Stone – A soul and R&B album showcasing her signature smooth vocals.
- Let Love In (1994) by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (Re-release) – One of the band’s most celebrated albums, featuring Red Right Hand.
- Reputation (2017) by Taylor Swift (Japan Edition Release) – The global pop phenomenon’s album saw a special edition release in Japan on this date.
- Abyss (2015) by Chelsea Wolfe – A haunting and atmospheric album blending folk, metal, and industrial influences.
- Tyranny (2014) by Julian Casablancas + The Voidz (Re-release) – The Strokes’ frontman’s experimental album gained a second wave of popularity.
- Reflections (2005) by After Forever – A symphonic metal album that showcased the band’s classical influences.
- All or Nothing (2019) by The Subways – A high-energy indie rock album featuring Alright and Shake! Shake!.
- Veritas (2012) by Agnes Carlsson – A Swedish pop album that featured the hit single One Last Time.
- Metal Resistance (2016) by Babymetal (Re-release) – A fusion of J-pop and heavy metal that expanded Babymetal’s global influence.
Chart-Topping Hits (February 12)
On February 12 from classic rock to pop and hip hop, many songs reached the top of the charts which have made and changed the history of music with their unforgettable melodies and lyrics. Here are some of the most notable songs that topped the charts on this day.
- Crimson and Clover – Tommy James & The Shondells (1969) (US #1) – A psychedelic rock classic that became one of the band’s biggest hits.
- Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? – Rod Stewart (1979) (US #1) – A disco-infused rock song that became one of Stewart’s signature tracks.
- I Knew I Loved You – Savage Garden (2000) (US #1) – A romantic ballad that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks.
- Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon (1985) (US #1) – A power ballad that dominated the charts and became an 80s rock staple.
- The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson (1988) (US #1) – A funky, feel-good hit from Bad that showcased Jackson’s signature dance moves.
- Love Is Blue – Paul Mauriat (1968) (US #1) – An instrumental pop hit that remained at No. 1 for five weeks.
- Without Me – Eminem (2003) (UK #1) – A rap anthem that took over global charts and became one of Eminem’s most iconic tracks.
- Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers (1990) (UK #1) – A re-release of the 1965 classic, made popular again by Ghost.
- Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis (2008) (US & UK #1) – A powerful ballad that became one of the biggest global hits of the decade.
- Cheap Thrills – Sia ft. Sean Paul (2016) (US #1) – A dance-pop anthem that took over airwaves worldwide.
- Say My Name – Destiny’s Child (2000) (US #1) – An R&B hit that won Grammy Awards and cemented the group’s legacy.
- Royals – Lorde (2014) (Grammy Record of the Year) – Though not No. 1 on this day, the song won big at the Grammys, solidifying Lorde’s breakthrough success.
- Take a Bow – Madonna (1995) (US #1) – A smooth, orchestral ballad that became one of Madonna’s longest-running No. 1 hits.
- Independent Women Part 1 – Destiny’s Child (2001) (US #1) – A girl-power anthem that dominated the charts for weeks.
- I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston (1993) (US #1) – A record-breaking ballad from The Bodyguard soundtrack.
- All of Me – John Legend (2014) (US #1) – A romantic hit that became a wedding staple worldwide.
- Someone Like You – Adele (2012) (UK #1) – An emotional ballad that topped charts globally and won numerous awards.
- Sugar – Maroon 5 (2015) (US #1) – A feel-good pop hit that dominated streaming platforms.
- We Found Love – Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris (2012) (US & UK #1) – A dance anthem that became one of Rihanna’s biggest hits.
- Shallow – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (2019) (US #1) – A chart-topping ballad that won an Academy Award and became a modern classic.
Final Words
February 12 is a significant day in music history, a day of remembering events of legendary albums and hits released as well as marking the series of events that followed. It is a day of honoring the artists who have changed the world and remembering the rest. Their work inspired generations, no matter which genre it is from or what semblance it bears, be it Rock or Pop, jazz or Hip Hop. The world of music is so vast it can help people connect. The events from this day give examples of how powerful the world of music is to culture and creativity.