Notable Births
- 1944: Reggae musician Peter Tosh was born Winston Hubert McIntosh in Grange Hill, Jamaica.
- 1948: Patrick Simmons, a founding member of the American rock band The Doobie Brothers, was born in Aberdeen, Washington.
- 1972: Pras Michel, a member of the hip-hop group Fugees, was born in Brooklyn, New York.
🎵 Major Events & Releases
- 1979: Prince released his sophomore album, Prince, containing the No. 1 R&B hit “I Wanna Be Your Lover”.
- 1985: A-ha hit No. 1 in America with “Take On Me”, thanks to an innovative music video that took place within a comic book.
- 1997: At the Grand Ole Opry, Vince Gill honored John Denver with a performance of “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, following Denver’s death in a plane crash a week prior.
- 1998: George Martin, recognized as “The Fifth Beatle,” officially retired from the music business.
Bio-Musik Feature: Austin’s Live Music Pioneers
Continuing the focus on the venues that sustain the Texas music ecosystem, today we head down 6th Street to spotlight a true headquarters for global grooves and reggae—a perfect nod to Peter Tosh’s birthday.
- Flamingo Cantina: Located at 515 E 6th Street, Flamingo Cantina has been Austin’s “Good Vibes Club” since 1991. While the rest of 6th Street leans into the mainstream, this open-air, Jamaican-flag-draped sanctuary remains dedicated strictly to reggae, ska, Latin alternative, and world music. With its bleacher-style seating and a famously relaxed dance floor, it is a crucial, groove-heavy anchor on the MusicWayATX calendar. It’s the ultimate unpretentious spot in the city to catch deeply rooted, global Sonidos Frescos with a cold drink in hand.
