Today in Music History

May 16

• 1966
  Release The Beach Boys release Pet Sounds

  The Beach Boys issued Pet Sounds in the US, a landmark album that reshaped pop production and songwriting.

• 1969
  Release The Who release Tommy

  The Who released Tommy, the rock opera that became one of the defining concept albums of the era.

• 1970
  #1 Hit Shocking Blue top US chart

  Shocking Blue's Venus reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a major international hit.

• 1975
  Birthday Born: Laura Pausini

  Italian pop star Laura Pausini was born in Solarolo and later became one of the best-selling artists in Latin pop.

• 1980
  Release The Empire Strikes Back soundtrack

  John Williams's soundtrack album for The Empire Strikes Back was released as the film opened in the US.

• 1987
  #1 Hit U2 hit number one with With or Without You

  U2 began a three-week run at number one in the US with With or Without You, their first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper.

• 1990
  Milestone Sammy Davis Jr. dies

  Entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., whose recording career included pop and jazz hits, died at age 64 in Beverly Hills.

• 1992
  #1 Hit Kris Kross lead US singles chart

  Kris Kross stayed at number one in the US with Jump, one of the biggest rap crossover hits of 1992.

• 2000
  Release Britney Spears releases Oops! album

  Britney Spears released Oops!… I Did It Again, a blockbuster pop album that debuted at number one in the US.

• 2005
  Milestone Mariah Carey returns with We Belong Together

  Mariah Carey's We Belong Together reached number one in the US, launching one of the biggest comeback hits of the decade.