Jazz and soul organ great Jimmy Smith (National Endowment of the Arts Award winner)
Music history and highlights that have happened on February 8th… from the birthplace of the blues… and rock n’ roll.
Film composer John Williams.
1735: First opera to ever appear in the American colonies, “Flora”, opens in Charleston.
1895: Tchaikovsky’s revival of “Swan Lake” opens in St. Petersburg.
1915: “Birth of a Nation”, the first full length motion picture ever opens in Los Angeles.
1930: “Happy Days are Here Again” hits No. 1.
The Supremes.
1932: Film composer John Williams born in New York City (“Star Wars”, “Jaws”, “Harry Potter”, “Indiana Jones”, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestial).
1936: “Please Mr. Custer” singer Larry Verne born in Minneapolis.
1938: “Linda Lu” singer-songwriter Ray Sharpe born in Ft. Worth.
Larry Verne.
1965: The Supremes release “Stop in the Name of Love”.
1980: Angie Bowie (of “Angie” by The Rolling Stones) divorces David Bowie after a decade long marriage.
1990: “Runaway” singer-songwriter and musician Del Shannon passes on.
2005: Jazz great B3 player Jimmy Smith leaves the building (“Swingin’ Shepherd Blues”, Michael Jackson’s “Bad”, and a lot more).
2009: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss win Best Album for “Raising Sand” and Record of the Year for “Please Read the Letter” at 51st Grammy Awards.
2009: Rhianna cancels Grammy Award appearance after altercation with boyfriend Chris Brown.