Today’s history highlights the birth of several massive alt-rock icons, a legendary guitar collaboration, and the final curtain call for a rock god.

Notable Births

• 1943: Roger Waters, the iconic songwriter and founding member of Pink Floyd, was born in Great Bookham, Surrey, England.
• 1969: R&B and soul singer Macy Gray was born in Canton, Ohio.
• 1969: Dance-pop singer CeCe Peniston, known for her massive 1990s club anthem “Finally”, was born in Dayton, Ohio.
• 1971: Dolores O’Riordan, the iconic lead singer of the massively successful alternative rock band The Cranberries, was born in County Limerick, Ireland.

🎵 Major Events & Releases

• 1968: Eric Clapton headed into Abbey Road Studios to record the legendary guitar solo for The Beatles’ track “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. This marked the first time a non-member of The Beatles was featured on one of their records.
• 1970: Guitar legend Jimi Hendrix played his last ever live concert, performing as the headline act at the Love and Peace Festival in Germany.
• 1989: Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil punched Guns N’ Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin in the face during the MTV Video Music Awards.
• 1990: Tom Fogerty, the rhythm guitarist of Creedence Clearwater Revival, died from AIDS-related complications.
• 1997: Elton John performed a rewritten version of “Candle in the Wind” at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. The rendition became the best-selling single of all time in the UK.
• 2005: The Rolling Stones released A Bigger Bang, their 22nd studio album.

Bio-Musik Feature: Austin’s Live Music Pioneers

Continuing the focus on the venues that sustain the Texas music ecosystem, today we highlight a legendary acoustic sanctuary that anchors the university scene.

• Cactus Cafe: Tucked away inside the Texas Union building on the University of Texas campus, the Cactus Cafe has been a revered, intimate listening room since 1979. Recognized globally for its pristine acoustics and deeply respectful atmosphere, it has served as an essential launching pad for legendary Texas singer-songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams. As a vital cultural stop on the MusicWayATX calendar, the Cactus Cafe remains the premier destination to experience the raw, unamplified soul of the Live Music Capital of the World and discover the next wave of acoustic Sonidos Frescos.