This Day in Rock & Roll History for February 14

Ted Lewis' "Just A Gigolo" hits #1 on the pop singles chart. Over a half century later, "Diamond" David Lee Roth scores a major hit with the same song. (1931)

Keyboardist Merl Saunders is born. (1934)

CBS television newsman Walter Cronkite reports the Iranian government has banned rock & roll on the grounds that it's against the concepts of Islam and also a hazard to health. Iranian doctors have advised the "extreme gyrations" of rock & roll dances are injurious to the hips. (1958)

In Chicago, the Platters file suit against Mercury Records for breach of contract. The dispute comes when the record company's refusal to accept recordings on which Tony Williams does not sing lead. The group contends the contract does not stipulate who must sing lead. (1961)

Simon and Garfunkel receive their first gold record for "Sounds of Silence," which had hit Number One on the pop charts on the first day of this year. (1966)

Aretha Franklin records her signature song "Respect" at New York's Atlantic Studios. (1967)

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention announce work on two films: "Uncle Meat," surrealistic documentary on the group," and a monster movie to be made in Japan. (1968)

According to a headline in Billboard, the Recording Industry Association of America is "Mounting Total War Against Tape Pirating of Prerecorded Music." (1970)

The Who taped a concert at Leeds University in Leeds, England for their forthcoming album, "Live at Leeds." The set features "My Generation," "Substitute," "Magic Bus," "Summertime Blues" and "Shakin' all Over." (1970)

John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin a week-long stint as co-hosts on "The Mike Douglas Show," a talk show for housewives and not known for its radical leanings. (1972)

With America swept by '50s nostalgia, "Grease" opens off-Broadway, where it will run for the next decade. Original cast members include Barry Bostwick and Adrienne Barbeau. It will be turned into a smash movie six years later. (1972)

David Bowie collapses at the end of his Valentines Day Show at New York's Radio City Music Hall. His promoter Ron Delsener tells the press, "It was total exhaustion." (1973)

Rolling Stones reports David Bowie has turned down a Gay Liberation group who asked him to compose the "world's first Gay National Anthem." (1974)

After 39 shows in 21 cities, the Bob Dylan/The Band tour comes to an end at the Forum in Los Angeles. Many celebrities like Carole King, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson turn out for the final performance. Afterwards Ringo says, "It was bloody fantastic. The best concert I've ever been to." (1974)

ELO's "Evil Woman" peaks at #10 on the pop chart. It was a track off their top-10 LP "Face The Music." (1976)

"Squeeze Box" by the Who peaks at #16 on the chart. It was from their "Who By Numbers" LP. (1976)

The B-52's make their performing debut at a party in Athens, Georgia. (1977)

George Harrison's 10th album, entitled simply, "George Harrison" is released. It would stay on the charts for 18 weeks reaching #14. (1979)

Lou Reed marries Sylvia Morales in New York City's Greenwich Village. (1980)

Steely Dan's "Hey 19" peaks at #10 on the chart. It was from their "Gaucho" LP. (1981)

Queen's "Flash Theme" peaks at #42 on the pop chart. (1981)

Billy Idol leaves Generation X for a solo career. (1981)

Elton John marries studio engineer Renate Blauel. It lasts 4 years. (1984)

Frank Zappa appears on "Miami Vice", playing a crime boss named "Mr. Frankie". (1986)

New Jersey's hometown favorites Bon Jovi hit #1 with their tune "Livin' On A Prayer." It was from their album "Slippery When Wet" which went to #1 for 8 weeks and sold over 9 million copies!!! (1987)

Cars' bassist Benjamin Orr has a solo hit with "Stay the Night" which peaks at #24 on this date. (1987)

The Rolling Stones play the first of 10 nights at Tokyo's Korakuen Dome. It is the Stones' first ever tour of Japan and they pack the dome with 50,000 fans each paying 10,000 yen ($70) each night. (1990)

54 year old Jerry Garcia weds Deborah Koons. (1994)

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince marries backup singer Mayte Garcia. (1996)

Elton John plays himself in animated from for a Valentine's Day episode of "The Simpsons." (1999)

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