This date in musical history: February 10

In In 1985, "Tears Are Not Enough," the contribution of Canadian recording artists to African famine relief, was recorded at Manta Sound in Toronto under the name "Northern Lights."

The song was written by Bryan Adams and his regular songwriting partner, Jim Vallance. Adams's performance of the song at the Live Aid concert in July 1985 was marred by satellite blackout.

Other musical milestones on this date:

• In 1942, the first gold disc ever awarded to an artist was presented to the Glen Miller Orchestra by RCA Victor during a radio broadcast. The presentation was for Miller's recording of "Chatanooga Choo-Choo," which sold more than 1.2-million copies on the Bluebird label. The award was not solid gold - it was merely gold laquered.

• In 1968, the Beatles severed all their American business connections, including their fan club. All their business affairs were moved to their newly-formed Apple Corps Limited. The mismanagement of this company was in large part responsible for the breakup of the Beatles.

• In 1975, record producer Phil Spector was severely burned when his car crashed and burst into flames. It was his second serious auto accident within a year. Spector's spokespeople would give few details, saying only that he suffered multiple head and body injuries, and that the accident occurred somewhere between Los Angeles and Phoenix.

• In 1987, a gala benefit concert was held at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto to honor the 100th anniversary of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Among the alumni who participated were tenor Jon Vickers, violinist Steven Staryk, soprano Lois Marshall and conductor Victor Feldbrill.

• Also in this date in 1987, one of the Soviet Union's top rock bands, Autograph, played in Quebec City as part of its first North American tour. The concert was organized to coincide with the Rendezvous 87 hockey series between the NHL all-stars and the Soviet Union.

• In 1988, a British court ruled that Holly Johnson, former lead singer for the homosexual rock band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, was not legally required to join a new version of the group. Johnson then began a career as a solo artist.

• In 1989, a judge in Nashville appointed an attorney to look after the affairs of Barry Sadler, the former staff-sergeant who had a number-one hit in 1966 with "Ballad of the Green Berets." Sadler had suffered brain damage when he was shot at his home in Guatemala in the fall of 1988. He died in late 1989.

• In 1990, Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" became the first album to generate six number-one singles when "Opposites Attract" hit the top of the Billboard chart.

• In 1991, Kevin Costner, Donny Osmond, Meryl Streep and Mike Tyson were among dozens of celebrities who gathered in Burbank, California to record a tribute to US troops in the Persian Gulf. The song, "Voices That Care," was composed and produced by Canadian David Foster.

• In 1992, Vince Neil was fired as lead singer of Motley Crue. He later filed suit seeking reinstatement.

• In 1993, Michael Jackson, in a live TV interview with Oprah Winfrey, said he had an inherited disorder that causes skin pigmentation to fade. He denied altering most of his face, but did admit to minor cosmetic surgery. Jackson also said he finds the comfort in children and animals that he missed in a friendless, workaholic childhood. In the wake of Jackson's first solo interview in nearly a decade, sales of his "Dangerous" album, released 14 months earlier, skyrocketed.

• Also on this date in 1993, Mick Jagger marked the release of his "Wandering Spirit" album with an invitation-only gig at a dance club in New York. Most of the material was from his solo effort, but Jagger also performed a couple of Rolling Stones' tunes - "Live With Me" and "Rip This Joint." The concert was beamed to clubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto.

• In 1996, Canadian country singer Shania Twain drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 to 20,000 fans for an autograph session at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.

• Also on this date in 1993, country singer Wayne Raney died of cancer at age 71. His "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me" was a number-one hit in 1949.

• In 1997, Brian Connolly, lead singer for the 1970s glam rock band Sweet, died in a London hospital following a heart attack. He was 52. Sweet's Top-10 hits in North America included "Little Willy," "Ballroom Blitz," "Fox on the Run" and "Love Is Like Oxygen." It was Connolly who set the tone for Sweet's stage persona, with his high-heeled shoes and long blond hair. He was a legendary partier during the group's heyday, drinking heavily, often in the company of Who drummer Keith Moon.

• Also on this date in 1997, Liam Gallagher of the British band Oasis postponed his marriage to actress Patsy Kensit at the last minute, blaming "obsessive and intrusive media attention." His brother, Noel Gallagher, the group's songwriter, also called off his less-publicized Valentine's Day marriage to public relations representative Meg Matthews when their plans were leaked to the media.

• Still on this date in 1997, a girl was born to Julie Cypher, the partner of singer Melissa Etheridge. The couple had disclosed the previous year that Cypher was pregnant.

Born on this date:

• In 1908, Jean Coulthard, the first composer from the Canadian west coast to gain wide recognition, was born in Vancouver. Her orchestral compositions "Canadian Fantasy," "Excursion," "Ballade (A Winter's Tale)" and "Song to the Sea" established her reputation in Canada in the early 1940's. In 1953, the CBC commissioned her to write"A Prayer for Elizabeth" to mark the Queen's coronation.

• In 1939, singer Roberta Flack was born in Asheville, North Carolina. She had a half-dozen ballad hits in the 1970's, including three number-ones - "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love." Flack returned to the top-10 in 1991 with "Set the Night to Music," a duet with Maxi Priest.

• In 1946, 1960's folk singer Donovan, whose last name is Leitch, was born in Glasgow. He was the British answer to Bob Dylan, and his career was launched in 1965 with his hit single "Catch the Wind." Donovan's biggest success was "Sunshine Superman," number one on both sides of the Atlantic in 1966. Donovan's music, as well as the flowing robes and love beads he wore, were out of date by 1970.

• In 1927, opera singer Leontyne Price.

• In 1934, African musician Manu Dibango, whose "Soul Makossa" was a North American hit in 1972.

• In 1937, Don Wilson, rhythm guitarist with the Ventures.

• In 1960, country singer Lionel Cartwright.

Tuesday, February 10, 1997
Music History