October 16, 2010 – Auburn University researcher Justin Havird names a new species of fish “Lepidocephalichthys zeppelin” because the pectoral fin reminds him of the double-neck guitar used by Jimmy Page. “I’m a big Led Zeppelin fan, and I was listening to them while I was working on the fish,” Havird says. “The structure that makes this species unique just reminded me of the guitar that Jimmy Page plays.” [WATCH VIDEO BELOW]
October 16, 1972 – Creedence Clearwater Revival break up after the resounding failure of their album Mardi Gras. In a press release they say, “We don’t regard this as breaking up. We look at it as an expansion of our activities.”
October 16, 1991 – Jane’s Addiction singer Perry Farrell is arrested at a Holiday Inn in Santa Monica, CA after a maid finds syringes, white powder and crack pipes. He is charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance and states, “I needed some time off so I got myself a drug addiction and booked myself into a hospital instead.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
October 16, 1947 – Bob Weir, guitar, vocals (The Grateful Dead)
October 16, 1962 – Flea (born Michael Peter Balzary), bass, vocals (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
October 16, 1953 – Tony Carey, vocals (Rainbow, Planet P Project)
October 16, 1943 – Fred Turner (born Charles Frederick Turner), bass, vocals (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
October 16, 1960 – Bob Mould, guitar, vocals (Hüsker Dü)
October 16, 1938 – Nico (born Christa Päffgen), vocals (Velvet Underground) (d. 1988)
October 16, 1945 – Roger Hawkins, drums (Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section of Alabama) (d. 2021)
HEADBANGERS HEAVEN:
October 16, 1969 – Leonard Chess (born Lejzor Czyż) dies of a heart attack. He was 52. Chess was a record company executive and founder of the Chess record label which was home to Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson and many more. He was the focal point of the movies Cadillac Records and Who Do You Love? It is said that Chess Records epitomized the independent record business and Chess himself set new standards for the industry in artist development, deal making, networking, and marketing and promotion.