This Day in Music History: February 13

February 13, 2017

We cover all sorts of news, facts and historical and interesting facts that happened on this day in music history.

 

Today: February 13.

 

1961: Frank Sinatra started his own record label, Reprise Records, in order to allow more artistic freedom for his own recordings. Hence, he garnered the nickname “The Chairman of the Board.” One of the label’s founding principles under Sinatra’s leadership was that each artist would have full creative freedom, and at some point even complete ownership of their work. Reprise became later the home of many influential US musicians like Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman and The Beach Boys.

 

1967: The Beatles released the double A sided single 'Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane' on Capitol Records in the US. It spent 10 weeks on the chart and was even a chart topper.

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1969: Bob Dylan recorded versions of 'Lay, Lady, Lay', at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It was originally written for the soundtrack of the movie Midnight Cowboy, but because it wasn't submitted in time, it was not included in the finished film. The song has gone on to become a standard and has been covered by several bands and artists over the years, including The Byrds, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, Melanie, The Isley Brothers, Duran Duran, Hoyt Axton and Isaac Hayes amongst others.

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1970: On this day, Friday the 13th, Black Sabbath released their debut self-titled studio album on Vertigo records in the UK. It Peaked at the No.8 spot on the charts and has been recognized as the first main album that was credited with the development of the heavy metal genre.

 

1978: Dire Straits started recording their first album at Basing Street Studios, London. The entire recordings cost them £12,500 ($21,250) to produce. The album featured the band's breakthrough single 'Sultans of Swing' and went on to be 132 weeks on the UK chart. The inspiration for 'Sultans of Swing' came from Mark Knopfler after he witnessed a mediocre jazz band playing in the corner of a practically deserted pub. At the end of their performance, the lead singer came up to the microphone and announced that they were the "Sultans of Swing."

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1996: Take That decided to split up, as the biggest band of the 90s announced their demise in front of the world's press at The Hilton in Manchester. They had achieved 7 No.1 singles & 2 No.1 albums. The band released one more single and a Greatest Hits album. (Take That reformed since then and have now scored another 5 No.1 albums in the UK).

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2004: Led Zeppelin were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Grammys. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham all attended the ceremony, yet Robert Plant did not, because he was working on a new album and tour.

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Think we left some interesting fact out? You have anything to add? Is there anything else worth mentioning that happened on this day in music history? Write us in the comments below.

 

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