On This Day: February 7

February 7th, 2024 by Liz Kosik

by Charlie Wahlberg ’24

On this day in music, in 1959, Buddy Holly was laid to rest in his hometown of Lubbock, TX. His tombstone included an incorrect spelling of his last name (Holley) as well as a carving of his Fender guitar. The 22-year-old artist passed away in a plane crash on February 3.

In 1963, the first Beatles single, “Please Please Me,” was released in the US via Vee-Jay Records. Dick Biondi, of Chicago’s WLS, played the song on the radio, becoming the first American DJ to play a Beatles record on air.

In 1970, Led Zeppelin earned their first UK No.1 album with Led Zeppelin II. The British band’s second studio album remained on the chart for a total of 138 weeks, while across the Atlantic, it topped the Billboard 200 for seven weeks. Written throughout the band’s 1969 European and American tours, Led Zeppelin II was recorded at multiple studios in the UK and US, with lead guitarist Jimmy Page serving as producer.

In 1987, after nearly 20 years, Aretha Franklin returned to the top of the UK pop chart with “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” a duet with George Michael. The pair later won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.