Today’s history marks the live debut of a defining 1960s psychedelic voice, a controversial number-one hit for a pioneer rock duo, and the release of an iconic 1980s pop debut.

Notable Births

• 1940: Cliff Richard, the British singer who was originally marketed as a rebellious rock and roll artist, was born.
• 1946: Justin Hayward, the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the English rock band The Moody Blues, was born in Swindon, England.
• 1958: Thomas Dolby, the English singer-songwriter and producer best known for his hit single “She Blinded Me with Science,” was born in London.
• 1974: Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the hugely successful country music band The Chicks, was born in Lubbock, Texas.
• 1978: Usher (Usher Raymond IV), the multi-Grammy-winning R&B singer and one of the top-selling artists in music history, was born in Dallas, Texas.

🎵 Major Events & Releases

• 1957: The Everly Brothers achieved their first-ever U.S. No. 1 hit with “Wake Up Little Susie,” despite the song being banned by some American radio stations for its suggestive lyrics.
• 1966: Grace Slick made her live debut as the lead singer of Jefferson Airplane at The Fillmore in San Francisco.
• 1972: Michael Jackson landed his first-ever solo No. 1 hit when his single “Ben” climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
• 1983: Cyndi Lauper released her debut studio album, She’s So Unusual, which featured the hit single “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and won her two Grammy Awards.
• 1995: The rock band Oasis scored their first number one album in the UK with their second studio release, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?.

Bio-Musik Feature: Austin’s Live Music Pioneers

Continuing the focus on the venues that sustain the Texas music ecosystem, today we head downtown to spotlight a legendary underground sanctuary for jazz.

• Elephant Room: Located at 315 Congress Avenue, the Elephant Room is an iconic basement jazz lounge that has been a staple of the downtown Austin scene since 1991. Descending the stairs into this dim, brick-lined venue feels like stepping back in time. Featuring live jazz music seven nights a week, it has hosted local legends and touring virtuosos alike in an incredibly intimate, low-ceilinged setting. Known for its sophisticated yet unpretentious atmosphere, it remains an essential, groove-heavy anchor on the MusicWayATX calendar where music lovers can grab a craft draft and enjoy smooth, improvisational Sonidos Frescos.