Historic events this week from KISS, AC/DC, REO Speedwagon, Toto, Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton
FEBRUARY 18, 1974: KISS RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM
KISS’s self-titled debut was the first of two albums they released in 1974. The debut features such classics as “Deuce”, “Strutter” and Ace Frehley’s “Cold Gin.” During a 2018 appearance on Good Morning America, Gene Simmons called it his favorite KISS album.
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FEBRUARY 19, 1980: AC/DC’s BON SCOTT DIES
The cause of death for AC/DC’s Bon Scott has been debated for over 40 years. Whether it was “pulmonary aspiration” or “acute alcohol poisoning”, the 33 year old singer’s cause of death is classified as “death by misadventure.” Scott’s family encouraged AC/DC to continue on. Five months later, they released the classic Back In Black, with Brian Johnson on lead vocals.
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FEBRUARY 21, 1981: REO SPEEDWAGON’S HI INFIDELITY IS #1
REO Speedwagon’s 9th album, Hi Infidelity, ended the 8-week reign of John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy. Hi Infidelity would go on to spend 15 non-consecutive weeks at #1 in 1981, trading places twice with Styx’s Paradise Theater.
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FEBRUARY 23, 1983: TOTO WINS BIG AT GRAMMYS
Toto’s fourth album, Toto IV, was a big one for the Los Angeles band. In addition to selling 4 million copies and scoring major platinum hits with “Rosanna” and “Africa”, Toto won five Grammys. Best Engineered Recording, Album of the Year and three for “Rosanna”, including Record of the Year.
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FEBRUARY 24, 1975: LED ZEPPELIN RELEASE PHYSICAL GRAFFITI
Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti was a big one. It’s their second biggest selling album behind their untitled fourth album (aka Led Zeppelin IV). Despite only releasing “Trampled Under Foot” as a single, “Houses of the Holy”, “Kashmir” and “The Wanton Song” have all received significant radio air play. The album has sold over 16 Million copies in the US alone.
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FEBRUARY 24, 1993: ERIC CLAPTON’S UNPLUGGED WINS BIG AT GRAMMYs
Eric Clapton’s Unplugged won six of its nine Grammy nominations. Taking the prize for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal (Male), Best Rock Vocal (Male) and Best Rock Song.
