On This Day, May 16 in Music History
EVENTS ON MAY 16 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day May 16 in 1953 – Romani multi-instrumentalist and composer Jean Reinhardt also known by his stage name Django Reinhardt died at the age of 43 from brain hemorrhage.
1958 – With her rendition of the 1923 song ‘Who’s Sorry Now’, Connie Francis started a six-week run at No.1 on the UK Singles chart.
1964 – Singer Mary Wells topped the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘My Guy’ on this day May 16 in music history. Also a chart-topper in New Zealand and a Top 10 hit in the UK, Australia, and Canada that year.
1966 – The Beach Boys released their eleventh studio album ‘Pet Sounds’ through Capitol Records. It wasn’t a No.1 hit but its novel arrangements and production concepts make it one of the most influential albums of all time.
1970 – With their second studio album ‘Déjà Vu’, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young topped the Billboard 200 chart on this day May 16. It’s the group’s first album with Neil Young.
1970 – Lead guitarist and founding member of The Guess Who, Randy Bachman left the group to focus on his solo career before forming the country rock band Brave Belt with his brothers Robbie and Tim Bachman, Fred Turner and former bandmate Chad Allan. In 1973 they formed BTO.
1970 – The 1970 England World Cup squad reached No.1 on the UK Singles chart with ‘Back Home’ on this day May 16 for the first of three consecutive weeks.
1974 – Rock band Queen had to cancel the remaining shows of their ‘Sheer Heart Attack Tour’ after guitarist Brian May collapsed from hepatitis following a concert in New York a few days earlier.
1978 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Walsh released his fourth solo studio album ‘But Seriously, Folks...’ on this day May 16 in music history. The album peaked at No.8 in the US and it features guest appearances from his Eagles bandmates.
1981 – American pianist, organist, bandleader, and arranger Ernie Freeman died from a heart attack, aged 58. Best remembered for his work with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Connie Francis, Petula Clark, and others.
1981 – With her rendition of ‘Bette Davis Eyes’, Kim Carnes started a five-week stint at No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on this day May 16. The song returned at No.1 on June 27 for another four weeks at the top.
1987 – Irish rock band U2 scored their first number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘With or Without You’
1990 – American singer, dancer, comedian and actor Sammy Davis Jr died on this day May 16 from throat cancer, aged 64. Best remembered for hit songs such as ‘The Candy Man’, ‘I’ve Gotta Be Me’, and ‘Love Me or Leave Me’.
1992 – Indie rock band Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine topped the UK Albums chart with their third studio LP ‘1992 – The Love Album’.
1993 – American singer, songwriter and pianist Marv Johnson died on this day May 16 in music history at the age of 54. Best remembered for his Top 10 hits ‘You Got What It Takes’ and ‘I Love The Way You Love’.
1998 – With their second studio album ‘International Velvet’, Welsh alternative rock band Catatonia reached No.1 in the UK.
1998 – Europop band Aqua scored their second number one single of the year in the UK with ‘Turn Back Time’ on this day May 16. They were previously at No.1 on the Singles chart with ‘Doctor Jones’ on February 7.
1998 – With their third studio album ‘Before These Crowded Streets’, Dave Matthews Band scored their first chart – topper on the US Billboard 200.
2001 – English guitarist Brian Pendleton died on this day May 16, aged 57. Best remembered as a founding member of the pop group The Pretty Things.
2009 – Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan took the top spot on the US Albums chart with his 33rd studio release ‘Together Through Life’.
Bob Dylan – Beyond Here Lies Nothin’
2010 – Heavy metal singer-songwriter Ronald Padavona also known professionally as Ronnie James Dio died on this day May 16 in music history at the age of 67. Best remembered for fronting the bands Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, Elf, and Heaven & Hell.
10 Interesting Facts About Ronnie James Dio
2012 – American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and bandleader Charles ‘Chuck’ Brown nicknamed ‘The Godfather of Go-Go’ died at age of 75.
2015 – The number one album in the United Kingdom on this day May 16 was the third studio release ‘Wilder Mind’ by the folk rock band Mumford & Sons.
2015 – Country rock group the Zac Brown Band reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with their fourth studio album ‘Jekyll + Hyde’.
2020 – With ‘Say So’, rapper/singer Doja Cat featuring Nicki Minaj topped the US Billboard Hot 100.
2020 – Country music singer and songwriter Kenny Chesney scored his eighth number one album on the Billboard Pop chart with ‘Here and Now’.
BORN ON MAY 16 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1913 – American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist and singer Woody Herman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1919 – Pianist, singer, and actor Valentino Liberace was born in West Allis, Wisconsin. He was one of the highest paid entertainers in the world during the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
1929 – American jazz singer Lillie Mae Jones also known professionally as Betty Carter was born in Flint, Michigan.
1938 – American bass singer Pervis Jackson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He rose to fame as a founding member of the R&B vocal group The Spinners
1944 – Panamanian-American jazz drummer and bandleader Billy Cobham was born in Colon, Panama. Best known for his collaboration with Miles Davis during the 1960s and 1970s.
1946 – Guitarist and only constant member of the progressive rock group King Crimson, Robert Fripp was born Wimborne Minster, England. He has also played with the likes of David Bowie, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and Blondie among others.
1946 – Drummer and founding member of the hard rock group Foghat, Roger Earl was born in London, England.
1947 – Co-founder, drummer and backing vocalist of the hard rock band Nazareth, Darrell Sweet was born on this day in Bournemouth, England.
1949 – American guitarist and songwriter William ‘Sputnik’ Spooner was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He came to prominence as a founding member of the rock band The Tubes.
1951 – Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Richman was born in Natick, Massachusetts. Best known as the founder and frontman of the proto-punk band The Modern Lovers.
1953 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Richard Page was born in Keokuk, Iowa. He gained popularity as the frontman of the rock band Mr. Mister.
1955 – Singer-songwriter and actress Hazel O’Connor was born in Coventry, England. Best known for her hit songs ‘D-Days’, ‘Eighth Day’, and ‘Will You?’.
1965 – Bassist and founding member of the rock band Nirvana, Krist Novoselic was born in Compton, California.
1966 – American pop singer-songwriter, actress and dancer Janet Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 100 million records sold worldwide.