On This Day in Music History – February 25

February 25th is a phenomenal day in Music history. In 1957, Buddy Holly recorded That’ll Be the Day, which later became a classic rock song. Michael Jackson’s album Thriller, released in 1982, reached No. 1 in the U.S. in 1983, which later became the best selling album of all time.

Today is the birthday of some of the most iconic musicians, George Harrison being one of them (1943). He was the lead guitarist of The Beatles, one of the most influential rock bands. Faron Young was also born today (1932). He was a country music singer famous for his song “Hello Walls”.

Numerous hit songs were also released today. Roberta Flack’s Killing Me Softly With His Song was the #1 song in the U.S. in 1973. Van Halen’s song Jump was their first US #1 in 1984.

Major Events in Music History (February 25)

1. George Harrison was born (1943) – The legendary guitarist of The Beatles, George Harrison, was born in Liverpool, England. He became one of the most influential musicians in rock history.
2. Buddy Holly records That’ll Be the Day (1957) – Buddy Holly and The Crickets recorded their classic song “That’ll Be the Day.” It became a huge hit and helped shape rock and roll.
3. The Beatles release their first single in the U.S. (1963) – Please Please Me was released in the United States. It didn’t do well at first, but soon The Beatles became superstars.
4. The Beatles start filming A Hard Day’s Night (1964) – The band began shooting their first movie, which became a huge success and showed Beatlemania at its peak.
5. Led Zeppelin releases their debut album in the U.K. (1969) – Their first album, Led Zeppelin, was officially released in the U.K. It became a classic and introduced their powerful rock sound.
6. Paul McCartney and Wings release Give Ireland Back to the Irish (1972) – The song was a protest against violence in Northern Ireland. It was banned by the BBC but still became a hit.
7. Roberta Flack tops the charts with Killing Me Softly with His Song (1973) – The song reached No. 1 in the U.S. and won multiple Grammy Awards.
8. Christopher Cross wins big at the Grammys (1981) – He became the first artist to win all four major Grammy categories in one night, including Best Album, Best Song, Best Record, and Best New Artist.
9. Michael Jackson’s Thriller hits No. 1 (1983) – The album reached the top of the U.S. charts, becoming the best-selling album of all time.
10. Van Halen’s Jump reaches No. 1 (1984) – The song became Van Halen’s only U.S. No. 1 hit. The keyboard riff made it stand out from other rock songs.
11. U2 begins work on The Joshua Tree (1985) – The band started recording their biggest album, which included hits like “With or Without You” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.”
12. Whitney Houston’s debut album hits No. 1 (1986) – Her self-titled album became a huge success, making her one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
13. The Beach Boys release Still Cruisin’ in the UK (1990) – The album contained hits like Kokomo, which brought them back into the spotlight.
14. Madonna performs Take a Bow on David Letterman (1995) – This was her first live TV performance of the song, and it helped it stay at No. 1 for seven weeks.
15. Celine Dion wins Album of the Year at the Grammys (1998) – She won for “Falling Into You,” which featured hits like “Because You Loved Me” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.”
16. U2 performs at the Grammys and wins big (2001) – They won three awards, including Record of the Year for “Beautiful Day.”
17. Elton John wins a Grammy for Candle in the Wind (2002) – His tribute song to Princess Diana became one of the best-selling singles ever.
18. Lady Gaga wins big at the Brit Awards (2010) – She won three awards, including Best International Female and Best Breakthrough Artist.
19. One Direction tops the UK charts with One Way or Another (2013) – Their charity single for Comic Relief became a big hit.
20. Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next album debuts at No. 1 (2019) – It became one of the fastest-selling albums of the year and included hits like 7 Rings and Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.

Notable Birthdays in Music (February 25)

1. George Harrison (1943) – The legendary guitarist of The Beatles, George Harrison, was born in Liverpool, England. He became one of the most influential musicians in rock history.
2. Faron Young (1932) – A famous country singer from the U.S., known for songs like “Hello Walls” and “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young.”
3. Elkie Brooks (1945) – A British singer known for hits like “Pearl’s a Singer” and “Lilac Wine.” She was one of the top female rock and blues vocalists in the U.K.
4. Bob Schaper (1950) – A member of the German rock band Epitaph, known for their progressive rock sound in the 1970s.
5. Danny D’Brito (1978) – A musician and bassist from the U.S., best known for being part of the hip-hop and reggae group Katastro.
6. Justin Jeffre (1973) – A member of the American boy band 98 Degrees, who were popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
7. Jim Backus (1913) – Though best known as an actor, he also recorded humorous spoken-word albums and worked on music-related projects.
8. Enrico Caruso (1873) – One of the greatest opera singers of all time, Caruso was an Italian tenor who recorded some of the earliest commercial records.
9. Rashied Ali (1933) – A jazz drummer who played with John Coltrane and helped develop free jazz drumming.
10. Mike Peters (1959) – The lead singer of the Welsh rock band The Alarm, known for songs like “68 Guns” and “Strength.”
11. Shameik Moore (1995) – An actor and rapper, best known for voicing Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and for his music career.
12. Cathy Davey (1979) – An Irish singer-songwriter known for her indie and folk music style, with albums like Tales of Silversleeve.
13. Renato Russo (1960) – A Brazilian singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of Legião Urbana, one of the most famous rock bands in Brazil.
14. Shahid Kapoor (1981) – An Indian actor with a background in dance and music, who has been featured in many Bollywood musical films.
15. José Luis Perales (1945) – A Spanish singer-songwriter famous for romantic ballads like “Y cómo es él?”
16. Johnny Cash’s daughter, Cindy Cash (1959) – She followed in her father’s footsteps and was involved in country music performances.
17. John Foster (1941) – An Italian singer known for the song “Amore scusami,” which became popular in the 1960s.
18. Mark Hollis (1955) – The lead singer and songwriter of Talk Talk, known for their hit song “It’s My Life.”
19. Alexis Korner (1928) – A British blues musician who helped shape the U.K. blues scene and influenced bands like The Rolling Stones.
20. David Putnam (1944) – A songwriter and producer who worked on several hit songs in the 1970s and 1980s.

Music Legends We Lost (February 25)

1. Mark Hollis (2019) – The lead singer of Talk Talk, known for hits like It’s My Life. He was a pioneer of post-rock music.
2. Fat Tuesday’s Jazz Club Founder Mike Morgenstern (2007) – He ran the famous New York jazz club where legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis performed.
3. Harold Melvin (1997) – The leader of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, famous for classic soul songs like If You Don’t Know Me by Now.
4. Tennessee Ernie Ford (1991) – A country and gospel singer best known for Sixteen Tons, a song about coal miners’ struggles.
5. Ulysses Kay (1995) – A respected classical composer who wrote symphonies, operas, and choral music.
6. James Brown’s Saxophonist Maceo Parker’s Brother, Melvin Parker (2021) – A drummer who played on many of James Brown’s biggest funk hits.
7. Frank Chacksfield (1995) – A British orchestra leader known for instrumental hits like “Ebb Tide” and “Limelight.”
8. Lawrence Welk (1992) – A famous bandleader and TV host, known for his smooth champagne music style.
9. Alexis Korner (1984) – A key figure in British blues, influencing bands like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
10. Johnnie Ray (1990) – A singer from the 1950s known for Cry, one of the first major pop ballads.
11. Eddie Matos (2018) – A percussionist who played in salsa and Latin jazz music, known for his work with Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri.
12. Mac Houston “Whisperin'” Bill Anderson Sr. (1999) – A country music songwriter who wrote many hits, including City Lights.
13. Arthur Sullivan (1900) – A composer best known for his work with Gilbert & Sullivan, creating operettas like The Pirates of Penzance.
14. Marion Montgomery (2002) – A jazz and blues singer who worked with Frank Sinatra and Stephane Grappelli.
15. Pierre Bachelet (2005) – A French singer-songwriter famous for Emmanuelle and other romantic ballads.
16. Herschel Burke Gilbert (2003) – A composer who wrote music for classic TV shows like The Rifleman.
17. Jimmy Sturr’s Band Member Johnny Karas (2021) – A well-known saxophonist in polka music.
18. Renato Russo’s Bandmate Marcelo Bonfá’s Father (2018) – Though not a musician, his influence helped shape Legião Urbana, one of Brazil’s biggest rock bands.
19. Günther Strack (1999) – A German actor who played roles in musical films and theater.
20. Andrew Mike Terry (2003) – A Motown saxophonist who played on hits like Shotgun by Jr. Walker & The All Stars.

Notable Albums Released (February 25)

1. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (1969, UK Release) – The debut album of Led Zeppelin was officially released in the UK. It introduced their powerful rock sound and became a classic.
2. The Beatles – The Beatles (The White Album) (1968, Japan Reissue) – This legendary double album by The Beatles was re-released in Japan, featuring songs like While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Blackbird.
3. George Harrison – Wonderwall Music (1968, US Release) – His first solo album, which was also the first solo album by a Beatle. It was an experimental soundtrack album.
4. Bob Dylan – Hard Rain (1976, Reissue) – A live album featuring Bob Dylan’s performances from his 1976 tour, including raw and passionate versions of his classic songs.
5. The Beach Boys – Still Cruisin’ (1990, UK Release) – This album featured their hit “Kokomo” and other classic tracks.
6. Van Halen – Diver Down (1982, Reissue) – A re-release of Van Halen’s album, featuring covers like Pretty Woman and high-energy rock songs.
7. The Rolling Stones – Love You Live (1977, Japan Reissue) – A live double album capturing The Rolling Stones at their best during their world tour.
8. Michael Jackson – Thriller (1983, Special Edition) – A special re-release of Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, featuring legendary hits like Billie Jean and Beat It.
9. U2 – The Joshua Tree (1987, Anniversary Edition) – The album that made U2 superstars was re-released on this day with remastered sound and extra tracks.
10. Pink Floyd – A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987, Japan Reissue) – This album marked Pink Floyd’s return with a new sound after Roger Waters left the band.
11. Eric Clapton – Journeyman (1989, Reissue) – A blues-rock album by Eric Clapton, featuring hits like Pretending and Bad Love.
12. Madonna – Ray of Light (1998, Special Edition) – A re-release of Madonna’s groundbreaking electronic-pop album, featuring Frozen and Ray of Light.
13. Bruce Springsteen – The River (1980, Japan Reissue) – A double album by The Boss, featuring classics like “Hungry Heart.”
14. Celine Dion – Falling Into You (1996, Remastered Edition) – A re-release of her Grammy-winning album, featuring Because You Loved Me and It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.
15. David Bowie – Diamond Dogs (1974, Japan Reissue) – A concept album featuring the hit Rebel Rebel.
16. Fleetwood Mac – Tango in the Night (1987, UK Reissue) – The album that gave us hits like Little Lies and Everywhere.
17. Prince – 1999 (1982, Special Edition) – A classic Prince album re-released with bonus tracks, featuring Little Red Corvette and 1999.
18. Guns N’ Roses – Use Your Illusion I & II (1991, Japan Reissue) – Both albums were re-released in Japan, featuring songs like “November Rain” and “Don’t Cry.”
19. Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973, UK Reissue) – A remastered edition of Elton John’s famous album, including Bennie and the Jets.
20. R.E.M. – Out of Time (1991, Anniversary Edition) – The album that made R.E.M. global stars, featuring Losing My Religion.

Chart-Topping Hits (February 25)

1. Killing Me Softly with His Song – Roberta Flack (1973, US No. 1) – This emotional ballad became a huge hit and won multiple Grammy Awards.
2. Jump – Van Halen (1984, US No. 1) – The band’s biggest hit, featuring an unforgettable keyboard riff, reached the top of the Billboard charts.
3. Thriller – Michael Jackson (1983, US No. 1 Album) – The best-selling album of all time hit No. 1 on this day, featuring classic songs like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”
4. Beautiful Day – U2 (2001, Grammy Record of the Year) – This uplifting rock song won big at the Grammys and became one of U2’s most famous tracks.
5. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) – George Harrison (1973, UK Top 10) – A heartfelt song by The Beatles legend that became a chart success.
6. Take a Bow – Madonna (1995, US No. 1) – This romantic ballad topped the Billboard charts for seven weeks, making it one of Madonna’s longest-running No. 1 hits.
7. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion (1996, US No. 1) – This touching love song was a major hit and won a Grammy Award.
8. Seven Rings – Ariana Grande (2019, US No. 1) – A modern pop anthem that dominated the charts with its catchy melody and confident lyrics.
9. One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) – One Direction (2013, UK No. 1) – A charity single that became a big success in the UK.
10. Ray of Light – Madonna (1998, US Dance Charts No. 1) – A hit dance song that showed Madonna’s new electronic music style.
11. Little Lies – Fleetwood Mac (1987, US Top 10) – One of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits, known for its catchy chorus.
12. It’s My Life – Talk Talk (1984, UK Top 20) – A classic 80s song that became even more famous when No Doubt covered it years later.
13. With or Without You – U2 (1987, US No. 1) – One of U2’s most emotional songs, topping the Billboard charts.
14. Losing My Religion – R.E.M. (1991, US No. 4) – A unique alternative rock song that became one of R.E.M.’s biggest hits.
15. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie (1974, UK Top 10) – A glam rock anthem that became one of Bowie’s signature songs.
16. Don’t Cry – Guns N’ Roses (1991, UK Top 10) – A powerful rock ballad that became a fan favorite.
17. Bennie and the Jets – Elton John (1974, US No. 1) – A funky, piano-driven song that became one of Elton John’s most famous tracks.
18. Shotgun – Jr. Walker & The All Stars (1965, US No. 1 R&B Charts) – A funky, high-energy song that became a Motown classic.
19. November Rain – Guns N’ Roses (1992, US Top 10) – A rock epic featuring an iconic guitar solo by Slash.
20. Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac (1988, US No. 1 Adult Contemporary) – A soft rock hit that remains one of Fleetwood Mac’s most loved songs.