This Day in Rock History: February 20
On Feb. 20 we saw the birth of a rock legend along with Jimi Hendrix’s first concert. Continue reading to get more facts and trivia about what happened on this day in rock music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Feb. 20 saw these breakthrough hits and milestones that made waves in rock music:
- 1971: The soundtrack to the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” went to No. 1 on the Billboard Top LPs chart. After the album’s success, there were many Broadway productions of the controversial musical.
- 1993: Though it was over 34 years since his fatal plane crash, Buddy Holly and The Crickets made it to No. 1 in the U.K. with a posthumous compilation album, “Words of Love.” It was certified gold in the U.S.
Cultural Milestones
Your favorite music genre wouldn’t sound the same, if not for these Feb. 20 cultural milestones:
- 1967: Kurt Cobain, founder of Nirvana, was born in Aberdeen, Washington. He’s considered one of the most iconic rock musicians in the industry thanks to pioneering the grunge style that bridged hard rock, heavy metal, and punk styles.
- 1976: The four members of KISS left their footprints in the cement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Celebrities have been leaving their mark outside the building since 1927.
Notable Recordings and Performances
The most notable recordings and performances in rock music that happened on Feb. 20 were:
- 1959: At the age of 16, Jimi Hendrix played his first concert at the Temple De Hirsch Sinai synagogue in his hometown of Seattle. He was fired from the unnamed band immediately following the show, as the other members thought he was showing off.
- 2017: Following a performance in which David Cassidy stumbled and slurred his words, he reported to People magazine that he had dementia. He died a few months later of liver failure at the age of 67.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The rock music industry changed forever after these Feb. 20 challenges:
- 2003: Pyrotechnics ignited soundproofing material during a Great White concert at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The result was a massive blaze that caused 100 deaths and more than 200 injuries, making it the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in the nation.
- 2009: Performing for the last time together in public, the White Stripes played “We’re Going To Be Friends” on the Late Night With Conan O’Brien show. The band officially broke up in February 2011.
These breakthrough hits, cultural milestones, major recordings and performances, and changes and challenges in the music industry continue to influence the rock music landscape. They’re just a tiny part of what makes rock music the genre it is today.
