Tommy’s Coffee Break Calendar for March 2nd

A rare, one-time event for Elvis... -- A nice sweep for Stevie... -- Remembering Lou...

G.I. Elvis, Friedberg U.S. Army base, Germany, c 1959. (Keystone/Getty Images)

3/2/1960 (60 years ago today) - For all his influence, he never, ever got to play a note or sing a song there...: After completing his military duties, Elvis Presley is flying back home to America -- On this particular day, the plane carrying him had to make a stop at Scotland's Prestwick Airport for re-fueling. It turns out to be the one and only time in his entire life that he stepped on British soil. Kinda sad, actually...

3/2/1974 (46 years ago today) - Stevie Wonder picks up four Grammy Awards in one night: "Fulfillingness' First Finale" wins the Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male statues -- He scores one for songwriting when "Living For The City" wins the Best Rhythm and Blues Song category (OK, well deserved); and "Boogie On Reggae Woman" gets Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male (which is moderately questionable). This same night sees Olivia Newton-John winning two Grammy's for "I Honestly Love You", so, like, whatever...

3/2/1943 - Born on this date, Lou Reed, who should be on the Mt. Rushmore of Rock for just The Velvet Underground alone! Have you listened to a Velvets album yet this year? They sound brand new! Unbelievable! For solo stuff, throw on "Transformer" (1972) or "Berlin" (1973), and then make sure you check out what's (easily) one of the best live rock albums of the 20th century, the staggeringly excellent "Rock N Roll Animal" (1974), and you'll start to come around -- Lou was the definition of extraordinary, just 71 when he passed away on October 27, 2013. Go get yourself a Velvet Underground album for Chrissake...