Dec. 16 has seen many key moments in rock music history. Jimi Hendrix played guitar and made everyone else seem outdated. Nirvana showed their softer side, and ZZ Top guitarist Billy F. Gibbons was born.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some of the biggest names in music celebrate milestones on this day:
1966: The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their first single in the U.K., “Hey Joe.” It peaked at No. 6 on the charts but created a buzz and has become a rock standard covered by many artists.
1989: Billy Joel’s 11th studio album, Storm Front, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It featured the hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” a fast-paced song listing historical moments from Joel’s birth year of 1949 to the present. This was Joel’s third No. 1 album in the U.S.
1993: MTV aired Nirvana’s Unplugged session for the first time. Recorded on Nov. 18, it was released as an album a year later and has sold around 16 million copies worldwide.
Cultural Milestones
Rock’s stories are a big part of its charm. Here are some significant cultural moments from Dec. 16:
1949: Billy F. Gibbons, co-founder and lead guitarist of ZZ Top, was born in Houston, Texas. He first gained fame with the psychedelic rock band Moving Sidewalks, which opened for Jimi Hendrix.
1974: Mick Taylor, guitarist for The Rolling Stones, announced he was leaving the band. Ronnie Wood took his place and is still with them today.
1983: Pete Townshend announced he was leaving The Who, but he returned for Live Aid in 1985 and a reunion tour in 1989.
From Jimi Hendrix to The Who, Dec. 16 has been a busy day for rock music. Check back tomorrow for more rock ‘n’ roll history!
