Monthly Archives: February 2015

Grammy Awards pay posthumous tribute to Ray Charles 10 years ago this hour (Feb 13 2005)

2000s, Popular Music 2000s


Video: 'Popular 47th Annual Grammy Awards & Grammy Awards videos' (52 videos)

(Sunday, February 13, 2005, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Ray Charles, the blind visionary who revolutionized American music with fusions of soul, rock, jazz and country, broke the mold once more tonight at the 47th annual Grammy Awards, posthumously dominating the telecast with wins in eight categories for his final album Genius Loves Company.

Queen Latifah hosted the televised ceremonies from the Staples Center in Los Angeles (click here for 12 official videos from the event).

Allied planes begin massive bombardment of Dresden, Germany 70 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The Bombing of Dresden - Newsreel Footage'

(Tuesday, February 13, 1945, 10:14 p.m. CET; during the Bombing of Dresden, part of strategic bombing during World War II) — Royal Air Force bombers were dispatched to Dresden, Germany, tonight to attack the city with a massive aerial bombardment. Continue reading Allied planes begin massive bombardment of Dresden, Germany 70 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1945) →

John Lennon plays DJ at WNEW-FM with Scott Muni 40 years ago this afternoon (Feb 13 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'John Lennon Interview with Scott Muni Show 1/3'

(Thursday, February 13, 1975, afternoon EST) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon stopped in at WNEW-FM in New York today to play DJ and to promote his new album of rock standards, Rock ‘n Roll, which would be released four days later (click here to listen to a clean audio copy of the interview). Continue reading John Lennon plays DJ at WNEW-FM with Scott Muni 40 years ago this afternoon (Feb 13 1975) →

McCartney, Wings host a press conference, party in New Orleans 40 years ago today (Feb 13 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, Television 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'Wingspan Paul and Linda McCartney Documentary-FULL' (Feb. 13, 1975, at 57:08)(

(Thursday, February 13, 1975) — Paul McCartney and Wings held a press conference and party today aboard a Mississippi steamboat in New Orleans (with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band performing on the quay prior to the party) to promote the ongoing recording sessions for their next album Venus and Mars. Continue reading McCartney, Wings host a press conference, party in New Orleans 40 years ago today (Feb 13 1975) →

President Johnson authorizes extended bombing campaign against North Vietnam 50 years ago today (Feb 13 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Feb. 13, 1965, at 26:08)

(Saturday, February 13, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson today authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South.

Soviets capture Budapest from the Germans 70 years ago today (Feb 13 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The soviet invasion of Hungary and the Siege of Budapest 1944-1945 Budapest Ostroma'

(Tuesday, February 13, 1945; during the Siege of Budapest, part of the Budapest Offensive on the Eastern front of World War II) — The Red Army today completed its conquest of Budapest, ending a 50-day siege of the battle-scarred capital of Axis Hungary.

McCartney, Wings filmed recording ‘My Carnival’ in New Orleans 40 years ago today (Feb 12 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, Television 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'Wingspan Paul and Linda McCartney Documentary-FULL' (Feb. 12, 1975, at 58:29)(

(Wednesday, February 12, 1975) — Completing four weeks of recording sessions in New Orleans for their next album Venus and Mars, Paul McCartney and Wings were filmed today by News Scene 8 in Sea Saint Studios, recording “My Carnival,” a track which would go unreleased for ten years. Continue reading McCartney, Wings filmed recording ‘My Carnival’ in New Orleans 40 years ago today (Feb 12 1975) →

Beatle Ringo Starr discusses previous day’s wedding to Maureen Cox 50 years ago today (Feb 12 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'Beatles member Ringo Starr in an interview with his new wife Maureen'

(Friday, February 12, 1965) — Ringo Starr of The Beatles and his new wife, 19-year-old Maureen Cox, met with reporters today at the Princes Crescent home of The Beatles’ solicitor David Jacobs in Hove, Sussex, England, to discuss their surprise wedding in London the previous day. Continue reading Beatle Ringo Starr discusses previous day’s wedding to Maureen Cox 50 years ago today (Feb 12 1965) →