Music History on February 9

Falstaff

1893 Giuseppe Verdi's comic opera "Falstaff" premieres at La Scala in Milan, Italy

1961 The Beatles first gig at Liverpool's Cavern Club; they would play there nearly 300 times over the next two years

Beatles on Ed Sullivan Show

1964 1st appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television viewers

The Beatles with TV host Ed Sullivan during their first appearance on his show in February 1964

1971 Elektra Records releases eponymous debut album of American singer-songwriter Carly Simon; garners two Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist

Paul Williams on The Tonight Show

1973 American singer-songwriter and actor Paul Williams sings the torch song "Here's That Rainy Day" in full Planet of the Apes make-up and costume on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show"

1974 "Daddy What If" by Bobby Bare peaks at #41
1974 "The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion)" by Gordon Sinclair peaks at #24
1979 ABC airs "Heroes of Rock N Roll" special, featuring archival performances of 62 artists

The Rink

1984 John Kander and Fred Ebb's musical "The Rink", based on Terrence McNally's novel, and starring Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera, opens at Martin Beck Theater, NYC; runs for 204 performances, winning a Tony Award

Musical Theater and Film Composer John Kander

Like a Virgin

1985 Madonna's album "Like a Virgin" goes #1 for 3 weeks

1990 40th Berlin International Film Festival: "Music Box" and "Larks on a String" win the Golden Bear (tie)
1991 "This Is Ponderous" by 2nu peaks at #46
1992 "2 Shakespearean Actors" closes at Cort Theater NYC after 29 performances
1995 Augustus and Ruth Goetz' stage drama "The Heiress" opens at Cort Theater, NYC; runs for 340 performances