February 3rd

2003: Record producer Phil Spector was arrested at his home in Alhambra, CA for the allegedly murdering actress Lana Clarkson.

1979: To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, & Ritchie Valens, a sold out concert took place at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA where the performers performed for the last time. On the bill were Del Shannon, The Drifters & Jimmy Clanton.

1973: Elton John reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first time with Crocodile Rock, which stayed on top of the charts for 3 weeks.

1969: Allen Klein was hired as the new manager of The Beatles against the wishes of Paul McCartney who wanted his father-in-law Lee Eastman to become their new manager. Klein’s involvement was a factor in The Beatles’ breakup the following year.

1966: Beach Boys guitarist Carl Wilson married girlfriend Annie Hinsche. They remained married until Wilson’s death in 1998.

1961: Bob Dylan made his first recordings at the home of friends Sid & Bob Gleason in East Orange, NJ. Dylan’s recordings were versions of San Francisco Bay Blues and Jesus Met the Woman at the Well.

1959: Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash in Clear Lake, IA en route to Fargo, ND for a concert. This crash would inspire Don McClean’s American Pie. Holly was 22 years old, The Big Bopper was 28 years old & Valens was 17 years old.

Birthdays:
Angelo D’Aleo-singer for Dion and the Belmonts born in 1940
Eric Haydock-bassist for The Hollies born in 1942
Dennis Edwards-singer for The Temptations born in 1943
Dave Davies-guitarist for The Kinks born in 1947
Arthur Kane-bassist for the New York Dolls born in 1949