February 2, 2003 – Phil Spector is charged with murder after police find Lana Clarkson dead from a gunshot wound in his home in Alhambra, CA. He is later sentenced to the maximum sentence of 19 years to life for the murder of the actress.
February 2, 1976 – Genesis release A Trick Of The Tail, their seventh studio album and the first to feature drummer Phil Collins as full-time lead vocalist following the departure of original vocalist Peter Gabriel. It is later certified Gold in the U.S.
February 2, 1973 – Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake and Palmer injures his hands when a keyboard specially rigged to shoot fireworks explodes prematurely. Fortunately, Emerson escapes without suffering any life-threatening injuries.
February 2, 1973 – The Midnight Special debuts as a weekly series. Helen “I Am Woman” Reddy is the host, with guest stars The Byrds, George Carlin, Don McLean, Rare Earth and Ike & Tina Turner.
Backstage Access:
Laurel Canyon, The Byrds, Elvis Costello and My Rickenbacker Guitar
Classic Rock Birthdays
February 2, 1942 – Graham Nash, vocals, guitar (The Hollies, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
February 2, 1949 – Ross Valory, bass, vocals (Steve Miller Band, Journey)
February 2, 1952 – Rick Dufay, guitar (Aerosmith)
February 2, 1966 – Robert DeLeo, bass (Stone Temple Pilots)
February 2, 1971 – Ben Mize, drums (Counting Crows)
Rock Remembrances
February 2, 1979 – Sid Vicious dies of a heroin overdose in New York City. He was 21. Vicious was out on bail pending his trial for the murder of his former girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, and was given heroin by his friend, and possibly even by his mother. As a member of the Sex Pistols, Vicious became the lead singer after replacing Glen Matlock on bass. In 2006, Vicious, along with the four original members of the Sex Pistols, was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame.
February 2, 2002 – Paul Baloff, suffers a stroke which leaves him in a coma; he is taken off life support by doctors. He was 41. Baloff sang on Exodus’ 1985 debut album Bonded Blood. He later sang in several bands in the San Francisco Bay area like Piranha, Hirax, and Heathen.
