Tommy’s Coffee Break Calendar for May 16th

Two of classic rock's all-time greatest masterpieces released on the same day!!! Plus a birthday that links King Crimson to David Bowie...

5/16/1966 (52 years ago today) - Definition Of An Iconic Album If Ever There Was One (Pt. 1): Bob Dylan released the double-vinyl behemoth "Blonde On Blonde" on this date, effectively putting in place a whole new set of standards and rules for what rock albums are capable of -- "Rainy Day Women #12 &35", "I Want You", "Just Like A Woman", "Visions Of Johanna", "Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine", "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat", and we've only mentioned half the titles on here -- A pinnacle achievement and like all the best art, it captivates and mesmerizes in a very unique way, still capable of inducing your psyche into a hypnotic state. In other words, a perfect record. Check out Bob with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers backing him up:

5/16/1966 (52 years ago today) - Definition Of An Iconic Album If Ever There Was One (Pt.2): The Beach Boys released their 11th studio album "Pet Sounds" to, initially, a lukewarm reception (at best). The passage of time has proven otherwise. Brian Wilson went full-throttle this-go-round, leading the band into a sonic adventure wonderland by mixing their superb lush harmony vocals with sound effects and highly unusual instrumentation: bicycle bells, harpsichords, Hawaiian-sounding strings, buzzing organs, Coca-Cola cans and barking dogs! Their finest/most-fully-realized LP, just lookit what's on here: "God Only Knows", "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Caroline, No", "Sloop John B", "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" -- Astonishing to think it came out the same day as "Blonde On Blonde"...

5/16/1946 - Happy Birthday to one of music's most beguiling guitar talents, Robert Fripp, 72 years old today -- His resume is {literally} the stuff of legend: in addition to what is likely the scariest debut album in rock, King Crimson's "The Court Of The Crimson King" (1968, with Greg Lake on bass and lead vocals), he's also recorded with Daryl Hall, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Phil Collins, and most notably with Brian Eno on the classic "Here Come The Warm Jets" album (1973, and way-way-way ahead of its time), plus we'll throw in a standing "O" for the amazing guitar-work he came up with for David Bowie's "Heroes" (1977). Wicked talent, follows no one...

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"I run to grasp divining signs/To satisfy the hoax...", xoxo!