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Today in Music History

September, 16

  • 1998 Members of ‘70s British rock outfit Mott The Hoople play together for the first time in some 24 years at a one-off performance Sept. 16 at the Virgin Megastore on London’s Oxford Street.
  • 1997 Portugal’s pop phenomenon of the ‘90s, the Delfins premiere their album “Azul” (“Blue”) in Madrid’s Las Ventas bullfight arena. Compatriots Madredeus and Dulce Pontes also play.
  • 1993 The Mill Valley, Calif., home of rock singer Grace Slick is destroyed by fire when sparks from welders’ torches accidentally ignite dry grass. Damages are estimated at about $700,000.
  • 1992 Barbra Streisand performs in her first live performance in six years at a Hollywood fund-raiser that takes in $1.1 million for Democrats including presidential nominee Bill Clinton. Other performers include country-western singer Tammy Wynette and Dionne Warwick.
  • 1991 Country western singer Willie Nelson marries makeup artist Ann-Marie D’Angelo. The couple, who met on the set of Nelson’s 1986 movie “Red Headed Stranger,” has two sons.
  • 1985 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Money for Nothing,” Dire Straits. Police singer and co-songwriter with Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler, Sting sings the repeating backup refrain “I Want My MTV.”
  • 1977 Opera singer Maria Callas dies of a heart attack at the age of 53.
  • 1977 Marc Bolan of T. Rex dies in an auto accident in London.
  • 1964 The pop music show “Shindig” premieres on ABC-TV.
  • 1956 Peter Zaremba of the Fleshtones is born.
  • 1947 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Near You,” Francis Craig Orchestra.
  • 1925 B.B. King (Riley King) is born in Itta Bena, Miss. He is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and receives a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1987. His biggest hit, “The Thrill Is Gone,” is released in 1969. He also records the hit “When Love Comes To Town” with rock band U2 in 1988.