Today’s history marks the release of the very first Beatles single, a monumental double-chart takeover by Guns N’ Roses, and the birthdays of iconic classic rock and heavy metal frontmen.

Notable Births

• 1943: Steve Miller, the American singer, guitarist, and songwriter who formed the Steve Miller Band and became a cornerstone of classic rock radio, was born.
• 1945: Brian Connolly, the charismatic Scottish lead singer of the hugely successful 1970s glam rock band The Sweet (“Ballroom Blitz”), was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
• 1947: Brian Johnson, the English singer and songwriter who powerfully took over as the lead vocalist for AC/DC in 1980 following the death of Bon Scott, was born in Dunston, England.
• 1948: Russell Mael, the lead singer and one-half of the innovative, theatrical pop-rock duo Sparks, was born in Los Angeles, California.

🎵 Major Events & Releases

• 1962: The Beatles officially changed the musical landscape forever by releasing their debut single, “Love Me Do,” in the United Kingdom.
• 1970: Led Zeppelin released their eclectic, folk-infused third studio album, Led Zeppelin III, which went on to sell over 13 million copies worldwide.
• 1973: Elton John released his monumental seventh studio album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which became his best-selling studio release and a defining masterpiece of the 1970s.
• 1979: The Police released their critically acclaimed second studio album, Reggatta de Blanc, featuring massive hits like “Message in a Bottle” and popularizing their unique fusion of rock, reggae, and new wave.
• 1991: Guns N’ Roses achieved a historic chart milestone by simultaneously holding the top two positions on the US Billboard 200 with their sprawling double releases, Use Your Illusion II at No. 1 and Use Your Illusion I at No. 2.

Bio-Musik Feature: Austin’s Live Music Pioneers

Continuing the focus on the venues that sustain the Texas music ecosystem, today we spotlight a venue that is quite literally older than the Texas Capitol building itself.

• Scholz Garten: Located at 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Scholz Garten is a true living legend. Established in 1866 by German immigrant August Scholz, it holds the prestigious title of being the oldest continuously operating business in the entire state of Texas. Originally a gathering place for the German immigrant community, it evolved into an essential historic hub for university students, politicians, and music fans. Featuring a massive outdoor Biergarten shaded by ancient trees, the venue regularly hosts live blues, country, and indie rock. Operating as a deeply rooted anchor on the MusicWayATX calendar, Scholz Garten proves that pouring cold beer and hosting live Sonidos Frescos under the Texas sky is a timeless tradition that never goes out of style.