February 11, 1992 – Vince Neil is fired from Mötley Crüe. The band release a statement saying he’s leaving because his longtime hobby, car racing, has “become a priority” in his life. Neil counters by saying the split was prompted by the band’s desire to go in a bluesier direction. “We had been rehearsing for a few months but we didn’t do any recording. It just wasn’t sounding good to me. I’m not a blues singer and Mötley is a rock band — not a blues band. I think it’s a stupid idea that will alienate the fans. I would have tried the blues thing and tried to put my own spin on it, but I never got the chance.”

February 11, 1985 – The Firm release their self-titled debut album. Featuring Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, the album is certified Gold in the U.S.

February 11, 1964 – The Beatles play their first U.S. live concert at the Washington Coliseum, in Washington, D.C.  Over 8,000 people attend the show. In the 35-minute set, the Beatles play 12 songs: “Roll Over, Beethoven,” “From Me to You,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “This Boy,” “All My Loving,” “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “Please Please Me,” “Till There Was You,” “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Twist and Shout” and “Long Tall Sally.”

February 11, 2006 – Scott Stapp (ex-lead singer of Creed) marries a former Miss New York in Miami.  The honeymoon is delayed when Stapp is arrested on suspicion of being drunk in a public place while trying to get on a plane to Hawaii. He is booked and released on $250 bail from an area jail the same day.

Classic Rock Birthdays

February 11, 1947 – Derek Shulman, vocals (Gentle Giant)
February 11, 1962 – Sheryl Crow, vocals, guitar
February 11, 1977 – Mike Shinoda, guitar, vocals, (Linkin Park)
February 11, 1935 – Gene Vincent (born Vincent Eugene Craddock), vocals, guitar (d. 1971)
February 11, 1938 – Bobby “Boris” Pickett, vocals (d. 2007)
February 11, 1949 – Charlie Hargrett, guitar (Blackfoot)

Rock Remembrances

February 11, 2013 – Rick Huxley dies after a long struggle with emphysema.  He was 72. Huxley was the bassist and co-founder of The Dave Clark Five and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.  Regarding his stint in the band, Huxley said, “We ate good food, had lots of fun and played the concerts: it was a good life.”