Today’s history marks the birth of soul and blues royalty, a massive chart run for the Fab Four, and the passing of a jazz titan.

Notable Births

• 1928: Koko Taylor, the legendary American singer affectionately known as the “Queen of the Blues,” was born in Shelby County, Tennessee.
• 1938: Ben E. King, the defining American soul singer and composer behind the timeless classic “Stand by Me,” was born in Henderson, North Carolina.
• 1967: Moon Unit Zappa, actress, author, and daughter of Frank Zappa who notably provided the iconic vocals on “Valley Girl,” was born in New York City.
• 1977: Jeezy (Jay Wayne Jenkins), the influential, multi-platinum Southern hip-hop pioneer, was born in Columbia, South Carolina.
• 1982: St. Vincent (Annie Clark), the Grammy-winning indie rock singer, songwriter, and virtuosic guitarist, was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

🎵 Major Events & Releases

• 1968: The Beatles’ iconic anthem “Hey Jude” reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it would remain for a staggering nine weeks—the longest run at the top for any of their singles.
• 1972: The Temptations released “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” The single was famously edited down to 6:58 because there wasn’t enough vinyl on a 45 to handle the massive 11:46 album version.
• 1976: A&M Records sued George Harrison for $6 million because he was two months late delivering his highly anticipated new album.
• 1991: Miles Davis, the legendary jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who fundamentally shaped the course of 20th-century music, tragically passed away at age 65 from a stroke and pneumonia.
• 2022: Coolio, the Grammy-winning rapper best known for the defining 90s hip-hop anthem “Gangsta’s Paradise,” passed away from an accidental overdose at the age of 59.

Bio-Musik Feature: Austin’s Live Music Pioneers

Continuing the focus on the venues that sustain the Texas music ecosystem, today we head to the East Side to spotlight a fiercely authentic, unapologetically rowdy dancehall.

• The White Horse: Located at 500 Comal Street in East Austin, The White Horse is a hipster honky-tonk institution that beautifully bridges the gap between old-school Texas tradition and the modern East Side energy. Famous for its free two-step lessons, flowing whiskey on tap, and a sprawling wooden dance floor, it is a nightly haven for traditional country, rockabilly, and roots music. It operates with a deeply unpretentious spirit, throwing its doors open to a wildly diverse crowd of cowboys, college students, and lifelong locals. As a vital heartbeat on the MusicWayATX calendar, The White Horse is the perfect, high-energy spot to lace up your boots and swing out to live Sonidos Frescos seven nights a week.