February 23rd in Music

1988, Michael Jackson played the first of two nights at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. They were the first shows on the second leg of his Bad World Tour.

1995, American singer Melvin Franklin of The Temptations died of a brain seizure at age 52. His group had the 1971 U.S. #1 and U.K. #8 single “Just My Imagination” among many other hits. In 1978, Franklin was shot in the hand and the leg when trying to stop a man from stealing his car.

1998, All members of Oasis were banned for life from flying Cathay Pacific Airlines after “abusive and disgusting behavior” during a flight from Hong Kong to Perth, Australia.

2002, The Bee Gees made their last-ever concert appearance when they appeared at the Love and Hope Ball, Miami Beach, Florida.

2003, Howie Epstein, bassist with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, died of a suspected drug overdose in New Mexico. He had replaced The Heartbreakers’ original bassist Ron Blair. Epstein also worked with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Linda Ronstadt and Del Shannon.

2003, Norah Jones cleaned up at the 45th Grammy Awards, held at Madison Square Garden, New York. The singer-songwriter won Album of the Year and Record of the Year, with “Don’t Know Why,” Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal for “Don’t Know Why.” Other winners included Best Male Pop Vocal, John Mayer; Best Male Rock Vocal, Bruce Springsteen; Best Female Rock Vocal, Sheryl Crow; Best Rock Performance by Group, Coldplay; and Best Rap Album, Eminem.