On This Day, December 16 in Music History
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 16 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day December 16 in 1955 – With his rendition of ‘Christmas Alphabet’, Dickie Valentine started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK Singles chart.
1965 – The Beatles hit number one on in the UK with their double A-side single ‘Day Tripper/’We Can Work It Out’. It was the band’s third domestic chart-topper of the year.
1966 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their rendition of The Leaves song ‘Hey Joe’ on this day December 16 in music history. It was also the group’s debut single and it peaked at No.6 in the UK.
1972 – With ‘Me and Mrs. Jones’, Billy Paul hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first of three weeks straight.
1988 – American disco, R&B, and soul music singer-songwriter Sylvester James died on this day December 16, aged 41 from AIDS.
1989 – The pop music act Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers scored their third consecutive No.1 single in the UK in less than four months with ‘Let’s Party’. They previously topped the Singles chart with ‘Swing the Mood’ and ‘That’s What I Like’ in August-September and November the same year.
1989 – With his eleventh studio album ‘Storm Front’, Billy Joel topped the US Billboard 200 chart on this day December 16.
1997 – American country and rock music singer Nicolette Larson died at the age of 45. Best remembered for her chart-topping eponymous debut studio album and it’s hit lead single ‘Lotta Love’.
2000 – The number one single in the UK on this day December 16 in music history was ‘Stan’ by the American rapper Eminem. The song was also a chart-topper in twelve other countries that year, including the US.
2001 – Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Stuart Adamson committed suicide at the age of 43. Best remembered as the co-founder of the punk rock band Skids.
2006 – With ‘Irreplaceable’, Beyonce hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on this day December 16 for the first of ten consecutive weeks.
2006 – Alternative rock band Incubus scored their first number one album in the US with their sixth studio release ‘Light Grenades’.
2007 – American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer Daniel “Dan” Fogelberg died on this day December 16 in music history at the age of 56. Best remembered for songs such as ‘Same Old Lang Syne’, ‘Longer’, and ‘Leader of the Band’.
2013 – Country music singer-songwriter and guitarist Noble Ray Price died at the age of 87. Best remembered for songs such as ‘Release me’, ‘For the Good Times’, ‘Crazy Arms, ‘Heartaches by the Number’, ‘Night Life’, etc.
2021 – Elton John and Ed Sheeran topped the UK Singles chart with ‘Merry Christmas’ on this day December 16.
BORN ON DECEMBER 16 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1926 – American operatic tenor James McCracken was born in Gary, Indiana.
1930 – American jazz multi-instrumentalist Samuel “Same” Most was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
1931 – Scottish singer Karl Denver was born Angus Murdo McKenzie in Springburn, Glasgow. Best known for his hit rendition of ‘Wimoweh’.
1933 – Jazz and soul music organist John Robert Smith also known professionally as Johnny Hammond was born in Louisville, Kentucky.
1937 – Country music singer and guitarist James “Jim” Glaser was born in Spalding, Nebraska. Best known for his chart-topping single ‘You’re Gettin’ to Me Again’.
1937 – Jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader Joseph Carl Firrantello also known as Joe Farrell was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
1944 – American jazz music guitarist and composer John Laird Abercrombie was born in Port Chester, New York.
1945 – Multi-instrumentalist and singer Anthony “Tony” Hicks was born in Nelson, England. Best known as a longtime member of the band The Hollies.
1946 – Multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer, producer, and co-founder of the group ABBA, Benny Andersson was born in Stockholm, Sweden.
1946 – American jazz saxophonist and flute player Rene McLean was born in New York City.
1949 – Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founder of the rock band ZZ Top, William “Billy” Gibbons was born in Houston, Texas.
1951 – American multi-genre guitarist and songwriter Robben Ford was born in Woodlake, California. Best known as a member of the bands Yellowjackets and L.A. Express.
1961 – Bass guitarist and composer Laurence Cottle was born in Swansea, Wales. Best known for his work with The Alan Parsons Project and Black Sabbath.
1971 – American R&B and soul singer Michael McCary also known as Mike Bass was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He came to prominence as a member of the vocal harmony group Boyz II Men.
1971 – World-renowned DJ, instrumentalist, and producer Matthias Paul better known by his stage name Paul van Dyk was born in Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany.
1975 – Co-founder and frontman of the rock band Billy Talent, Benjamin Kowalewicz was born in Montreal, Canada.
1997 – Swedish pop music singer Zara Larsson was born in Solna, Stockholm.