On This Day in Music History – February 21

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In the history of music, February 21 is a significant day. On this day, a lot of outstanding albums, songs, and singers left their imprint. One of the most significant events occurred when Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water peaked at number one in 1970. One of the best-selling albums ever made was this one. Dolly Parton’s hit song “9 to 5” about working life peaked at number one on the charts in 1981. On this day in 1964, the Beatles also achieved triumph, as I Want to Hold Your Hand remained the number one song in America.

On February 21, a number of notable musicians were born, such as country singer Mary Chapin Carpenter and jazz great Nina Simone. On this day, other well-known musicians, such as Freddie Mercury, created history. Prior to his death the following year, Mercury attended the BRIT Awards in 1990 for his final public appearance.

Around this time, a number of iconic albums were also released, such as Green Day’s Dookie and Metallica’s Master of Puppets. History was also created by hits like Adele’s Rolling in the Deep and Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On. For music lovers, February 21 has been a unique day filled with treasured memories.

Major Events in Music History (February 21)

  1. Simon & Garfunkel Hit No. 1 (1970) – Their album Bridge Over Troubled Water reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts. It became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
  2. Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” Hits No. 1 (1981) – The country-pop song 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton topped the Billboard Hot 100. It was also the theme song for the hit movie of the same name.
  3. The Beatles Dominate America (1964) – The Beatles’ song I Want to Hold Your Hand stayed at No. 1 for a fourth week in the U.S., proving Beatlemania was in full swing.
  4. Freddie Mercury’s Last Public Appearance (1990) – Queen’s legendary singer Freddie Mercury made his final public appearance at the BRIT Awards. He passed away the following year.
  5. Metallica Releases Master of Puppets (1986) – Metallica released their iconic album Master of Puppets, which became one of the greatest heavy metal records ever.
  6. Elton John Wins a Grammy (2001) – Elton John won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for Candle in the Wind 1997, a tribute to Princess Diana.
  7. The Marvelettes Record “Please Mr. Postman” (1961) – The Marvelettes recorded Please Mr. Postman, which became Motown’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
  8. Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” Returns to the Charts (1987) – After being featured in the movie Stand by Me, Ben E. King’s 1961 hit became a chart success again.
  9. Adele Dominates the Grammys (2012) – Adele won six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for 21, making history as one of the most successful female artists.
  10. The Eagles’ Greatest Hits Becomes a Bestseller (1976) – Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) by the Eagles became the first album to be certified platinum by the RIAA.
  11. Green Day Releases Dookie (1994) – Green Day’s third album, Dookie, was released and became one of the best punk rock albums of all time.
  12. Prince Wins an Oscar (1988) – Prince won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for his movie Purple Rain.
  13. The Rolling Stones Sign Their First Record Deal (1963) – The Rolling Stones signed with Decca Records, starting their journey to becoming one of the greatest rock bands ever.
  14. Rihanna’s Work Hits No. 1 (2016) – Rihanna’s song Work, featuring Drake, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
  15. First Gold Record Is Awarded (1958) – The first RIAA-certified gold record was given to Perry Como for his song Catch a Falling Star.
  16. Lady Gaga Wins at the Oscars (2019) – Lady Gaga won Best Original Song at the Oscars for Shallow, a duet with Bradley Cooper from the movie A Star Is Born.
  17. Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On Tops the Charts (1998) – The song from Titanic became a worldwide hit and won multiple awards, including an Academy Award and a Grammy.
  18. Johnnie Ray’s “Cry” Stays at No. 1 (1952) – Johnnie Ray’s emotional ballad Cry remained at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, marking the rise of pop ballads.
  19. Pharrell Williams’ Happy Takes Over (2014) – Happy by Pharrell Williams started its domination of global music charts, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.
  20. Blink-182 Goes on Hiatus (2005) – Pop-punk band Blink-182 announced an indefinite hiatus, shocking fans. They later reunited in 2009.

Notable Birthdays in Music (February 21)

  1. Nina Simone (1933) – Legendary jazz, blues, and soul singer known for songs like Feeling Good and Ain’t Got No, I Got Life.
  2. David Geffen (1943) – Music producer and co-founder of Asylum Records and Geffen Records, who helped launch many artists’ careers.
  3. Jerry Harrison (1949) – Keyboardist and guitarist for the band Talking Heads, known for hits like Burning Down the House.
  4. Vince Welnick (1951) – Keyboardist for The Tubes and later Grateful Dead, playing with them in the 1990s.
  5. Mary Chapin Carpenter (1958) – Country singer-songwriter famous for songs like Passionate Kisses and He Thinks He’ll Keep Her.
  6. Ranking Roger (1961) – Singer for the ska band The English Beat and General Public, known for bringing ska to a wider audience.
  7. James Dean Bradfield (1969) – Guitarist and lead singer of Manic Street Preachers, a British alternative rock band.
  8. Eric Wilson (1970) – Bassist of the ska-punk band Sublime, known for songs like Santeria and What I Got.
  9. Steve Holy (1972) – Country music singer best known for his hit song Good Morning Beautiful.
  10. Charlotte Church (1986) – Welsh classical crossover singer and pop artist who became famous as a child for her operatic voice.
  11. Ashley Costello (1985) – Lead singer of the rock band New Years Day, known for their alternative and gothic style.
  12. Jordan Peele (1979) – While best known as a filmmaker, Peele was once a musician and contributed to various comedy songs.
  13. Corbin Bleu (1989) – Actor and singer known for starring in High School Musical and for his solo music career.
  14. Takahiro Moriuchi (1988) – Lead singer of ONE OK ROCK, a popular Japanese rock band with international success.
  15. Dona Bailey (1955) – Though not a musician, she played a key role in video game music, helping design Centipede with its unique sounds.
  16. Kelsey Lu (1991) – American singer, cellist, and songwriter blending classical, R&B, and experimental music.
  17. Piero Barone (1993) – Member of Il Volo, an Italian operatic pop trio known for their powerful vocals.
  18. Hajime Isayama (1986) – Not a musician, but the creator of Attack on Titan, which inspired many music projects and anime soundtracks.
  19. Jennifer Love Hewitt (1979) – Actress and pop singer who released albums in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
  20. William Beckett (1985) – Lead singer of The Academy Is…, a pop-punk band from the early 2000s.

Music Legends We Lost (February 21)

  1. Malcolm Hale (1941–1968) – Guitarist and trombonist for Spanky and Our Gang. He passed away at just 27 years old.
  2. Grandpa Jones (1913–1998) – American country and folk singer known for his work on Hee Haw and songs like Mountain Dew.
  3. John Lewis (1920–2001) – Jazz pianist and founder of the Modern Jazz Quartet, a major influence in cool jazz.
  4. Billy Ward (1921–2002) – Leader of Billy Ward and His Dominoes, the group that helped launch Jackie Wilson’s career.
  5. Richard Pratt (1943–2009) – Australian musician and businessman who played a role in developing the Australian music industry.
  6. Eddie Serrato (1945–2011) – Drummer for ? and the Mysterians, best known for their hit 96 Tears.
  7. Dory Previn (1925–2012) – Songwriter and lyricist who wrote for movies and also had a solo folk career.
  8. Raymond Myles (1958–1998) – Gospel singer from New Orleans, known for his powerful performances and influence on gospel music.
  9. Barney Kessel (1923–2004) – Legendary jazz guitarist who played with many greats, including Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald.
  10. Paul McLeod (1965–2014) – Canadian singer-songwriter known for his solo work and time with The Paperboys.
  11. Gerald Wilson (1918–2014) – Jazz trumpeter, composer, and big band leader who had a career spanning over 75 years.
  12. Ernie Ashworth (1928–2009) – Country singer famous for his song Talk Back Trembling Lips, a major hit in the 1960s.
  13. Douglas Dillard (1937–2012) – Banjo player and member of The Dillards, a group that helped bring bluegrass into popular culture.
  14. Eli Radish (1944–2020) – Country rock musician and a pioneer of the outlaw country movement.
  15. Bobby Freeman (1940–2017) – R&B and soul singer known for Do You Want to Dance and C’mon and Swim.
  16. John Russell (1954–2021) – British free improvisation guitarist, known for pushing the boundaries of jazz and experimental music.
  17. Peter Rojas (1975–2017) – Music journalist and co-founder of Engadget and Gizmodo, shaping digital music reporting.
  18. L. C. Cooke (1932–2017) – Soul and gospel singer, and younger brother of legendary Sam Cooke.
  19. Ron Kramer (1935–2010) – Not a musician, but a key figure in radio broadcasting who helped promote rock music in its early days.
  20. George Harrison (1943–2001) – Although he passed in November, February 21 marks a key memorial date for tributes to The Beatles’ legendary guitarist.

Notable Albums Released (February 21)

  1. Master of Puppets – Metallica (1986) – One of the greatest heavy metal albums ever, featuring songs like Battery and Master of Puppets.
  2. Dookie – Green Day (1994) – This punk rock album brought Green Day into the mainstream with hits like Basket Case and When I Come Around.
  3. Greatest Hits 1971–1975 – Eagles (1976) – A best-selling compilation of the Eagles’ biggest songs, including Take It Easy and Desperado.
  4. Come on Over – Shania Twain (1998) – One of the best-selling country albums ever, featuring Man! I Feel Like a Woman! and You’re Still the One.
  5. Purple Rain (Soundtrack) – Prince (1984) – The soundtrack to Purple Rain, with legendary tracks like When Doves Cry and Purple Rain.
  6. 21 – Adele (2011) – Adele’s breakthrough album with hits like Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You.
  7. My Heart Will Go On (Single) – Celine Dion (1998) – The Titanic theme song, one of the biggest-selling singles of all time.
  8. Hybrid Theory – Linkin Park (2000) – The debut album of Linkin Park, featuring In the End and Crawling.
  9. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse (2006) – Amy Winehouse’s soulful album with Rehab and Back to Black.
  10. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette (1995) – A best-selling alternative rock album featuring Ironic and You Oughta Know.
  11. Dangerous – Michael Jackson (1991) – One of Michael Jackson’s biggest albums, featuring Black or White and Remember the Time.
  12. American Idiot – Green Day (2004) – A rock opera-style album with Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Holiday.
  13. The Eminem Show – Eminem (2002) – One of Eminem’s biggest albums, including Without Me and Sing for the Moment.
  14. Ropin’ the Wind – Garth Brooks (1991) – A record-breaking country album with Shameless and Rodeo.
  15. Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi (1986) – An album that made Bon Jovi global stars, featuring Livin’ on a Prayer and You Give Love a Bad Name.
  16. Fearless – Taylor Swift (2008) – The album that brought Taylor Swift into the mainstream with Love Story and You Belong with Me.
  17. Enema of the State – Blink-182 (1999) – A pop-punk classic with All the Small Things and What’s My Age Again?.
  18. Hotel California – Eagles (1976) – One of the most famous rock albums ever, featuring the iconic song Hotel California.
  19. Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999) – A major album for the band, featuring Scar Tissue and Otherside.
  20. A Night at the Opera – Queen (1975) – A classic rock album featuring Bohemian Rhapsody and You’re My Best Friend.

Chart-Topping Hits (February 21)

  1. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel (1970) – This classic song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the greatest ballads of all time.
  2. 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton (1981) – This fun, catchy song about working life hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a country-pop anthem.
  3. I Want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles (1964) – The Beatles stayed at No. 1 on the U.S. charts, proving that Beatlemania was in full swing.
  4. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion (1998) – The Titanic theme song became No. 1 in multiple countries and won an Oscar.
  5. Rolling in the Deep – Adele (2011) – This powerful song topped the charts and helped Adele win multiple Grammy Awards.
  6. Black or White – Michael Jackson (1991) – A No. 1 hit that blended rock and pop, showing Michael Jackson’s global influence.
  7. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day (2004) – This alternative rock hit climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
  8. Stand by Me – Ben E. King (1987 reissue) – Originally released in 1961, this song returned to the charts in 1987 after being featured in the movie Stand by Me.
  9. Candle in the Wind 1997 – Elton John (1998) – A tribute to Princess Diana, this song became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
  10. Love Story – Taylor Swift (2009) – One of Taylor Swift’s biggest hits, topping the country and pop charts.
  11. All the Small Things – Blink-182 (1999) – This pop-punk song reached the top of the alternative rock charts and became a mainstream hit.
  12. Purple Rain – Prince (1984) – The title song from Prince’s album was a chart-topping hit and won an Academy Award.
  13. Scar Tissue – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999) – A major rock hit that won a Grammy and topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
  14. Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2000) – Another chart-topping hit from the Californication album.
  15. Ironic – Alanis Morissette (1996) – This alternative rock anthem reached No. 1 in several countries and became one of Alanis’s most famous songs.
  16. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (2015) – This funky track dominated the charts and became one of the biggest songs of the decade.
  17. Happy – Pharrell Williams (2014) – A worldwide hit that stayed at No. 1 for weeks and won multiple awards.
  18. Without Me – Eminem (2002) – A major hip-hop hit that topped the charts and became one of Eminem’s signature songs.
  19. Take It Easy – Eagles (1972) – This laid-back rock song became a major hit and is still a classic today.
  20. Hotel California – Eagles (1977) – One of the most famous songs of all time, reaching No. 1 and winning a Grammy Award.

Final Words

On this day, a number of iconic songs, albums, and performers left their mark.  From Green Day’s release of Dookie to Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water hitting the number one spot, this day has provided fans with moments they will never forget.  In addition, we commemorate the births of music icons and pay tribute to those who have passed away.  People all throughout the world are still inspired and connected by music.

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