On this day in rock history, John Lennon scored a No. 1 single in the U.S., and The Animals recorded one of their most famous songs. Let’s take a look at the key rock events that happened on November 16.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several iconic artists had big moments on November 16:
1968: The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their final studio album, *Electric Ladyland*, which hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top LP chart for two weeks. It was their only No. 1 album and later achieved 2x Platinum status.
1974: John Lennon’s “Whatever Gets You thru the Night” topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was Lennon’s only U.S. No. 1 hit during his lifetime and featured Elton John on backing vocals, piano, and organ.
1985: Starship’s “We Built This City” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and also led the Mainstream Rock chart. It was part of their debut album, *Knee Deep in the Hoopla*, and did well in Canada and Australia too.
1996: *Anthology 3* by The Beatles hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. This compilation included rare tracks from the band’s last two years and was later certified 3x Platinum in the U.S.
Notable Recordings and Performances
November 16 also marks the release of some important singles and albums:
1964: The Animals recorded their version of Nina Simone’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” It was included on their album *Animal Tracks* and released as a single in early 1965.
1973: The Kinks released their 12th studio album, *Preservation Act 1*, through RCA Records. It featured singles like “One of the Survivors” and “Sweet Lady Genevieve” and received positive reviews.
November 16 is a memorable day for fans of legendary rock acts like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. Check back tomorrow to see what else happened on this day in rock history!
