Today’s history marks the birth of an Afrobeat titan, a historic Texas bill featuring two icons, and a monumental chart breakthrough for experimental rock.
Notable Births
- 1938: Fela Kuti, the legendary Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, and political activist who pioneered the Afrobeat genre, was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
- 1948: Chris de Burgh, the British-Irish singer-songwriter best known for his 1986 global hit single “The Lady in Red,” was born in Venado Tuerto, Argentina.
- 1953: Tito Jackson (Toriano Adaryll Jackson), the singer, guitarist, and founding member of the iconic pop group The Jackson 5, was born in Gary, Indiana.
- 1966: Sandra “Pepa” Denton, the Jamaican-American rapper best known as one-third of the groundbreaking, Grammy-winning hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa, was born in Kingston, Jamaica.
- 1970: Ginuwine (Elgin B. Lumpkin), the multi-platinum R&B singer-songwriter behind the classic hit “Pony,” was born in Washington, D.C.
Major Events & Releases
- 1955: Elvis Presley performed at the Heart of Texas Coliseum in Waco, Texas, sharing the stage for the first time with a young Johnny Cash.
- 1973: Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones was fined £205 in a London court after pleading guilty to charges including possession of marijuana, heroin, and illegal firearms.
- 1977: Debby Boone began a historic 10-week run at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with “You Light Up My Life,” which became the longest-running No. 1 single of the 1970s.
- 1988: UB40 achieved their first US No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with their reggae-infused cover of Neil Diamond’s “Red Red Wine.”
- 2000: Radiohead scored their first No. 1 album on the US Billboard 200 with their fourth studio album, Kid A, achieving massive commercial success despite releasing no official commercial singles or music videos.
Bio-Musik Feature: Austin’s Live Music Pioneers
Continuing the focus on the venues that sustain the Texas music ecosystem, today we head to East Austin to spotlight one of the oldest continuously operating saloons in Central Texas.
- Historic Scoot Inn: Located at 1308 E 4th Street, the Historic Scoot Inn is an East Austin treasure that traces its roots back to 1871. Originally established as a grocery store and saloon serving railway workers, this historic landmark has evolved into a beloved outdoor venue. Featuring a spacious, gravel-lined beer garden, an iconic red wooden stage, and an intimate indoor bar, it has hosted everything from roots-rock and Americana to indie pop and hip-hop. Its storied history and vibrant open-air layout make it a landmark stop on the MusicWayATX calendar for catching unforgettable Sonidos Frescos under the Eastside stars.
