This Day in Rock & Roll History for February 17

Singer Bobby "Tossin and Turning" Lewis is born. (1933)

Singer Gene Pitney is born. (1942)

Elvis Presley receives his first gold album, for "Elvis." The LP includes "Rip it Up," "Old Shep," "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again," "Paralyzed" and "Ready Teddy." (1960)

Sergeant Barry Sadler receives two gold-record awards on this day: for the single "The Ballad of the Green Berets" and the album "Ballads of the Green Berets." The single won't hit Number One on the pop chart until the first part of next month. (1966)

Joni Mitchell announces her retirement from live performances after her show at London's Royal Albert Hall. It is premature as within a year she is back on stage. (1970)

James Taylor makes his prime-time television debut on the "Johnny Cash Show," singing "Fire and Rain" and "Carolina on My Mind." (1971)

Elton John's eponymously titled U.S. debut goes gold. His first U.K. LP, "Empty Sky" is not issued in the States until 1975, by which time John has become a rock star of the first magnitude. He arrived in the States under much publicity in the summer of '70 and was hailed by Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times as the first Superstar of the Seventies. "Elton John" hit #4. (1971)

Jonathan Edwards is awarded a gold record for "Sunshine," the lone hit for the Virginia folkie. He handles his brief fame in typical laid-back fashion. Instead of buying himself a fancy Porsche, he got himself a fancy truck. (1972)

Pink Floyd begin a 4-night stand at London's Rainbow Theater during which they premiere "The Dark Side of the Moon" a full year before its released as an album. (1972)

Green Day singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong is born. (1972)

John Lennon releases "Rock n' Roll," his final record before a self-imposed five year exile from the music business. It reaches #6 on the chart and doesn't stay for long, falling fast. (1975)

The Eagles release their "Greatest Hits" album. (1976)

Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical society gives its annual "Women of the Year" award to Bette Midler. Upon accepting, she comments: "This award characterizes what the American male wants in a woman--brains, talents and gorgeous tits." (1976)

Jazz great Thelonious Monk dies after a long illness. He was 64 years old. (1982)

Today is the 29th anniversary of talk show "The Joe Franklin Show" being on the air in New York City. The J. Geils Band make an appearance on the show to celebrate their Number One single "Centerfold" and Number One LP "Freeze Frame." (1982)

A 12-year old Hollywood, Florida, Motley Crue fan set his legs on fire while trying to imitate a stunt in the group's "Live Wire" video. The boy suffered burns over ten percent of his body. Motley Crue issued a statement saying the band's stunts should not be tried at home. (1988)

Whitesnake's David Coverdale marries Tawny Kitaen in Bel Air. (1989)

Aerosmith appears on Saturday Night Live where they perform a version of the Wayne's World theme song during a skit in which they appeared as themselves. (1990)

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