February 12

Births

1939: Ray Manzarek (Keyboards for The Doors)

1944: Moe Bandy (Country Singer)

1946: Joe Schermie (Bass for Three Dog Night)

1950: Steve Hackett (Guitar for Genesis & GTR)

1952: Michael McDonald (Vocals & Piano for The Doobie Brothers & Solo)

1955: Bill Laswell (Bass for Praxis)

1968: Chynna Phillips (Vocals for Wilson-Phillips)

1970: Jim Creeggan (Bass for The Barenaked Ladies)

1980: Christina Ricci (Actress)

1988: Mike Posner (Singer / Songwriter)

1989: Elle Varner (Singer)

Events

1924: George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" gets its first public performance, conducted by jazz legend Paul Whiteman at New York City's Aeolian Hall. Gershwin himself plays piano. Luminaries in the audience include John Philip Sousa and Jascha Heifetz.

1961: The Miracles' 'Shop Around' became Motown Record's first million-selling single.

1964: The Beatles conclude their triumphant first American visit with two 25-minute shows at Carnegie Hall. Afterwards, the group heads to the White House with British PM Sir Alec Douglas-Home for a visit. President Lyndon Johnson is overheard to remark to the PM: "I like your advance guard. But don't you think they need haircuts?"

1967: A squad of fifteen police officers enter Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards' home, "Redlands," in West Wittering, Sussex, England, and raid it on suspicion of narcotics possession. Finding "various substances of a suspicious nature," officials arrest Richards and his companions, Stones singer Mick Jagger and his girlfriend, singer Marianne Faithful, on May 10. The arrest sets off a national furor, since it is alleged the raid was orchestrated by the News of the World tabloid for revenge against a Jagger libel suit.

1968: John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas become the proud parents of their only child, daughter Chynna.

1968: Jimi Hendrix returns to the high school he dropped out of, Seattle, Washington's Garfield High School, to perform a concert there. Officials present him with an honorary diploma and the key to the city.

1972: Al Green went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Let's Stay Together', his only US chart topper.

1974: The legendary rock club The Bottom Line opens in Greenwich Village, New York City.

1981: Deborah Harry of Blondie announced that she would be making a solo album.

1989: Tiny Tim declares his candidacy for mayor of New York City.

1994: Celine Dion started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Power Of Love', the singers first US No.1.

1995: Van Halen scored their first US No.1 album with 'Balance.'

1997: David Bowie is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2000: Blues singer Screamin' Jay Hawkins died at age 70. A Golden Gloves boxing champion at 16, he was married nine times, spent two years in jail, was temporary blinded by one of his flaming props on stage in 1976. He recorded 'I Put A Spell On You' in 1956, covered by The Animals and Nina Simone.

2005: A train was named after Clash frontman Joe Strummer at a ceremony in Bristol. The diesel train owned by Cotswold Rail, was named after the singer, guitarist who died aged 50 in 2002 of a heart defect.