This Day in Rock History: February 20

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 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

• 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

• 1958: Buddy Holly released his self-titled debut album on Coral Records. It features the Crickets as his backing band and includes hit singles like “Words of Love” and “Peggy Sue.”
• 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.
• 1970: The Plastic Ono Band released the “Instant Karma!” single in the US. Written by John Lennon, it went from conception to release in just 10 days, making it one of the fastest-released singles in music history.
• 1974: Steely Dan released their third studio album, Pretzel Logic, via ABC Records. It featured the massive hit “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” the band’s most successful-ever single, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts later that summer.
• 1979: George Harrison released his self-titled eighth studio album in the US via Dark Horse Records. It featured guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood, and was certified Gold by the RIAA.
• 1984: The Smiths released their self-titled debut album through Rough Trade Records. Despite initially getting mixed reviews, it set the band on their way to becoming one of the most influential British bands of the 1980s.
• 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

• 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.