History Highlight:

On this day in 1994, California trio Green Day released their third studio album and major-label debut, Dookie. “Longview,” the lead single, came out that day as well, and debuted on MTV on Feb. 22. The rest is pop-punk history for Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool. The next singles “Basket Case,” a remake of Kerplunk standout “Welcome to Paradise,” and “When I Come Around” all becoming alt-rock radio staples. The album’s detailed Where’s Waldo-meets-Mad Magazine cartoon cover art, created by artist Richie Bucher, was also a coveted poster and T-shirt design. It is diamond-certified by the RIAA for shipments of more than 10 million copies in the U.S. alone, and has sold an estimated 20 million worldwide. Dookie won Best Alternative Album at the Grammys in 1995. In the fall of 2023, the band released an expanded 30th anniversary edition of Dookie featuring live recordings, demos, and outtakes.

Read More: Welcome to paradise: Finding identity and inspiration in Green Day’s Dookie

Also, in:

1963 - 17-year-old Neil Young performed his first professional gig at a country club in Winnipeg.

1964 - The Beatles started a seven-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "I Want To Hold Your Hand".

1964 - Indiana Governor Matthew Walsh bans the Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie," calling it "pornographic" and making a federal case out of it.

1965 - At the Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte, North Carolina, James Brown recorded "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag".

1967 - At Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles started work on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

1969 - Tommy James and the Shondells started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Crimson And Clover".

1972 - Neil Young releases the album Harvest, with the hit "Heart of Gold."

1980 - Blondie released "Call Me", the main theme song of the 1980 film "American Gigolo". It peaked at No. 1 in the U.S. for six consecutive weeks and also hit No. 1 in the U.K. and Canada, where it became their fourth and second chart-topper respectively. The song was the top-selling single of the year in the U.S. in 1980, and in 1981 it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

1986 - Diana Ross married Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess in Geneva and Stevie Wonder performed at the reception. The couple divorced in 2000.

1989 - The Replacements released their sixth album, Don’t Tell a Soul. The album features “Achin’ to Be,” their lone Billboard Hot 100 appearance with “I’ll Be You,” “Talent Show,” and more. It’s also the first album featuring Slim Dunlap.

1992 - George Michael and Elton John went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", which was also a No. 1 in the U.K. All proceeds from the single went to AIDS charities.

2000 - Morphine released their fifth and final studio album, The Night.

2004 - Justin Timberlake punctuates the Super Bowl halftime show by tearing away part of Janet Jackson's costume, revealing her right breast to a massive audience. Both artists blame it on a "wardrobe malfunction," but while Jackson gets blacklisted, Timberlake is welcomed back by the music industry and the NFL after a series of apologies.

2005 - Antony and the Johnsons released their second album, I Am a Bird Now. It features “Hope There’s Someone” and “You Are My Sister.”

2007 - Forced to do a press conference to promote his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, Prince answers the first question with a guitar lick, then turns the event into a concert, leaving reporters stunned.

2008 - NASA announced that "Across the Universe" by The Beatles was to become the first song ever to be beamed directly into space.

2012 - Don Cornelius, the host of "Soul Train" from 1971 until 1993, who helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of Black culture, died. He was 75.

2013 - American singer, songwriter and record producer Cecil Womack died of unknown causes in Johannesburg, South Africa at age 65. He had success both as a songwriter and recording artist, notably with his wife Linda as Womack & Womack. In 1988, their single "Teardrops", taken from their fourth album Conscience, became a major international hit selling over 10 million copies worldwide. His best-known song "Love T.K.O." has been recorded by many artists, including Teddy Pendergrass, Boz Scaggs, Bette Midler and Michael McDonald.

2020 - Andy Gill, the founding member and guitarist of British post-punk band Gang Of Four, died aged 64. Gill's scratchy, staccato riffs provided the band with their signature sound, and influenced the likes of Nirvana, Fugazi and Franz Ferdinand. He also produced albums for artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Stranglers, Michael Hutchence and Killing Joke.

Birthdays:

Don Everly, guitarist/singer with The Everly Brothers, was born on this day in 1937.

Claude François, co-writer of the original French version of “My Way,” was born on this day in 1939.

Rick James was born today in 1948.

Mike Campbell, guitarist with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is 74.

Rich Williams, guitarist for Kansas, is 74.

Sonny Landreth is 73.

Chuck Dukowski (born Gary Arthur McDaniel), bassist for Black Flag, is 70.

Jani Lane of Warrant was born on this day in 1964.

Lisa Marie Presley was born today in 1968.

Exene Cervenka of LA punk band X is 68.

Pauly Shore is 56.

Patrick Wilson, drummer for Weezer, is 55.

Big Boi of Outkast is 49.

On this day in 1979, Jason Isbell was born, making him 45 today. He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a member of Drive-By Truckers. Isbell's first solo album, 2007's Sirens of the Ditch, was a bluesy, punk-infused lesson in guitar tones and Southern swagger, while 2013's Southeastern, his first album after getting sober, was a major critical and commercial breakthrough, and 2021's Georgia Blue saw him honoring artists from the state of Georgia.

Harry Styles is 30.

Highlights for Today in Music History are gathered from This Day in Music, Song Facts and Wikipedia.