This Day in Rock & Roll History for February 15

Mick Avory, drummer with the Kinks, is born. (1944)

Impresario Irvin Feld debuts his Greatest Shows of 1957 in Pittsburgh. On the bill: Clyde McPhatter, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Lavern Baker, Bill Doggett, the Moonglows, the Five Satins and more. Before it closes on May 5, the tour goes through every region of the U.S., including some such as the northern Rocky Mountain states, which have never seen a live rock and roll show before. (1957)

Jerry Lee Lewis performs "Great Balls of Fire" and his latest release "Breathless" on "American Bandstand." Later in the day, "The Dick Clark Show," a new Saturday night rock & roll television program debuts on ABC-TV. The show features appearances by Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Chuck Willis, the Royal Teens and Johnnie Ray. (1958)

A Billboard story headlines "U.S. Rocks & Reels from Beatles Invasion--Beatles Begin New British Artist Push," goes on to report that "Great Britain hasn't been as influential in American affairs since 1775." The fame of the Beatles has major and independent firms scrambling for more Britsh product. Meantime, Billboard, for the first time ever lists one act, The Beatles, with five songs in the Hot 100. (1964)

Sam Cooke, who would tour eight months out of the year, announces he'll cut back on performances to two months per year. This is in order to concentrate on songwriting and on building his record labels, Sar and Derby. (1964)

Nat "King" Cole dies of complications following surgery for lung cancer in Santa Monica. He was 48 years old. (1965)

Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People" hits #1 on the pop chart. (1969)

The Doors' "Touch Me" peaks at #3 on the chart. (1969)

A Florida woman is arrested for impersonating Aretha Franklin during a concert. Vickie Jones' impersonation is so convincing that nobody in the club asks for a refund. (1969)

The Daughters of the American Revolution impose a ban against rock concerts at their Washington D.C. auditorium, Constitution Hall, after Sly & the Family Stone arrive five hour late for their gig and the crowd inflicts $1,000 worth of damage on the building. (1970)

Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good" hits #1 on the pop chart. (1975)

Gino Vannelli becomes the first white artist to perform on "Soul Train". (1975)

Sid Vicious joins the Sex Pistols as their bassist, replacing Glen Matlock. (1977)

The 1978 Grammy Award winners are announced. The "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack wins Album of the Year and the Bee Gees take home statues for Best Pop Group and Best Arrangement for Voices for "Staying Alive." Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" wins Record and Song of the Year. (1979)

RCA Records starts distributing A&M Records releases, ending A&M's long reign as the country's largest independent label. (1979)

Ethel Merman dies of natural causes. She was 75 years old. (1984)

Model Kelly Emberg files a $25 million palimony suit against Rod Stewart in Los Angeles Superior Court. The two lived together from 1985 to 1990. (1991)

The Rolling Stones wrap up their Bridges To Babylon North American tour in Las Vegas. The Stones played "The Joint," the 1,400 seat theatre inside the Hard Rock Casino in Vegas. Among those in attendance is Brad Pitt, Leonardo DeCaprio, Johnny Depp, Sting and Eddie Murphy. Said Mick during the show, "Well this is a fantastic audience. It's got to be the best-dressed audience I've ever seen in my life. (1998)

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