This Day in Music
On this day in music, May 16, 1966, The Beach Boys released their 11th studio album, Pet Sounds. Written, produced, and arranged primarily by Brian Wilson, the album was revolutionary for a variety of reasons – including its broad use of instrumentation (including a synthesizer, theremin, bike bells, and even soda cans), as well as Wilson’s ambitious production techniques, which found him turning the studio into an instrument itself. Featuring hits like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows,” the album was transformative within the music industry and within popular culture, influencing countless producers, engineers, songwriters, and musicians. Today, it is considered to be among one of the greatest albums of all time, while it was added to the National Recording Registry in 2004.
In 1987, U2 scored their first chart-topping single in the US with their now-classic tune, “With or Without You.” The song, which also hit No.1 in Canada and Ireland, served as the lead single for the Dublin band’s fifth studio album, The Joshua Tree.
In 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young scored their first No.1 album on the Billboard chart with Déjà Vu. The band’s second studio album and first with Neil Young features many of their biggest hits (including “Woodstock,” “Our House,” and “Teach Your Children”) and remains their highest-selling title.
In 1964, 21-year-old Mary Wells topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “My Guy.” The singer, who rose to fame in the early 60s, was Motown’s first major female star and has often been credited with helping to desegregate American airwaves.
In 1981, Kim Carnes scored her sole chart-topping hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Bette Davis Eyes.” Written by Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss, the single held the top spot for nine weeks and later earned two Grammys for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
In 2009, Bob Dylan’s 33rd studio album, Together Through Life, became his first to debut at the top of both the US and UK charts. A global best-seller, the title later received two Grammy nods.
BORN ON MAY 16
1919: Liberace
1946: Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
1947: Barbara Lee (The Chiffons)
1947: Darrell Sweet (Nazareth)
1948: Alto Reed (Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band)
1951: Jonathan Richman
1964: Boyd Tinsley (Dave Matthews Band)
1965: Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
1966: Janet Jackson
1992: Kristin Maldonado (Pentatonix)
