Notable Births

• 1811: Franz Liszt, the profoundly influential Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, and pioneer of the symphonic poem, was born in Doborján, Kingdom of Hungary.
• 1945: Leslie West, the powerhouse lead guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of the pioneering hard rock band Mountain, was born in New York City.
• 1968: Shaggy (Orville Richard Burrell), the Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae musician who achieved massive global crossover success with hits like “Boombastic,” was born in Kingston, Jamaica.
• 1985: Zac Hanson, the youngest brother, drummer, and vocalist of the multi-platinum pop-rock trio Hanson, was born in Arlington, Virginia.

🎵 Major Events & Releases

• 1966: The Supremes made Billboard history when The Supremes A’ Go-Go became the first album by an all-female group to reach No. 1 on the US albums chart.
• 1969: Led Zeppelin released their highly influential second studio album, Led Zeppelin II, which heavily shaped the evolution of heavy metal and blues-rock.
• 1990: Pearl Jam played their first-ever live concert under their original name, Mookie Blaylock, performing at the Off Ramp Cafe in Seattle.
• 2012: Taylor Swift released her fourth studio album, Red, which sold over 1.2 million copies in its first week and marked her distinct transition toward mainstream pop.

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 Riverside to spotlight a venue that evolved from a gritty punk club into a premier concert destination.

• Emo’s Austin: Located at 2015 E Riverside Drive, Emo’s is an essential pillar of the Austin music scene. Originally a legendary, sweaty punk-rock dive downtown, it successfully transformed into a spacious, state-of-the-art concert hall in East Austin. Known for its incredible sound system and excellent sightlines, this 1,700-capacity venue hosts a heavy-hitting mix of mainstream indie rock, hip-hop, metal, and electronic acts. It remains a crucial, high-energy anchor on the MusicWayATX calendar where fans can catch major touring Sonidos Frescos with all the production value of a massive show, but the soul of an independent club.