1907 - Gene Autry, America’s singing cowboy is born on this day.

1935 - Jerry Lee Lewis is born today.

1939 - Tommy Boyce (”I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight” with Bobby Hart) is born.

1942 - French violinist Jean Luc Ponty is born today.

1948 - Mike Farner of Grand Funk Railroad is born on this day.

1957 - Buddy Holly and the Crickets record “Maybe Baby.”

1959 - Little Anthony and the Imperials record Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop.”

1967 - Motown releases Gladys Knight’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”

1968 - Brad Smith of Blind Melon is born today.

1976 - Obviously enjoying his birthday, Jerry Lee Lewis was shooting holes in an office door and accidentally shot his bass player Norman Owens in the chest.  Owen survived but sued his boss.

1976 - Boy George is expelled from school.

#1 Songs This Week:

1941 - Freddy Martin: “Piano Concerto in B Flat”

1958 - Tommy Edwards: “It’s All In The Game”

1960 - Ricky Valance: “Tell Laura I Love Her,” UK

1973 - Grand Funk Railroad: “We’re An American Band”

1978 - Exile: “Kiss You All Over”

1979 - The Police: “Message In A Bottle,” UK

1984 - Prince and the Revolution: “Let’s Go Crazy”

1990 - Maria McKee: “Show Me Heaven,” UK

1990 - Nelson: “(I Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection”

1996 - New Edition: ‘Home Again,’ LP

1997 - Boyz II Men: “4 Seasons of Loneliness”

2002 - Kelly Clarkson: “A Moment Like This”

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1902 - TV show host Ed Sullivan is born on this day.

1938 - Ben E King, Benjamin Earl Nelson of the Drifters and solo artist is born today.

1943 - Nick Nicholas of Steppenwolf is born.

1950 - Paul Burgess of 10CC is born on this day.

1955 - Johnny Horton marries Hank Williams’ widow Billie Jean.

1955 - George Lynch of  Dokken is born.

1966 - Kenny Wilson of Marilyn Manson is born today.

1984 - Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls is born.

1987 - Hilary Duff is born on this day.

1991 - Jazz trumpet artist Miles Davis died of a stroke and pneumonia.

#1 Songs This Week:

1949 - Frankie Laine: “That Lucky Old Sun”

1954 - Rosemary  Clooney: “Hey There”

1968 - The Beatles: “Hey Jude”

1968 - Mary Hopkins: Those Were The Days,” UK

1968 - The Rascals: ‘Time Peace/The  Rascals Greatest Hits,’ LP

1974 - Bad Company: ‘Bad Company,’ LP

1974 - Andy Kim: “Rock Me Gently”

1980 - The Police: “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” UK

1980 - Queen: “Another One Bites the Dust”

1985 - Kate Bush: ‘Hounds of Love,’ UK LP

1991 - Garth Brooks: ‘Ropin’ the Wind,’ LP

1995 - Mariah  Carey: “Fantasy”

1997 - LeAnn Rimes: ‘You Light Up My Life Inspirational Songs,’ LP

2003 - Muse: ‘Absolution,’ UK LP

2003 - John Mayer: ‘Heavier Things,’ LP

2003 - Beyonce’ featuring Sean Paul: “Baby Boy”

Tags: this day in rock, This Day in Rock & Roll History, today in rock and roll history

1943 - Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive is born on this day.

1947 - Meat Loaf (Marvin Lee Aday) is born today.

1953 - Greg Ham of Men at Work is born.

1955 - Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher marry.  It only lasts four years.

1958 - Shaun Cassidy is born on this day.

1964 - The Beach Boys made their TV debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

1966 - Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind is born today.

1970 - Mark Calderon of Color Me Badd is born.

1978 - Bradley Kirk Arnold of 3 Door Down is born on this day.

1982 - Lil Wyane (Dwayne Michael Carter Jr) is born today.

1984 - Avril Lavigne is born.

1986 - Cliff Burton of Metallica was crushed to death by the tour bus when it threw him out of the bus and rolled over on him as it skidded on ice between Stockholm and Copenhagen.

1990 - Marvin Gaye receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame posthumously.

#1 Songs This Week:

1941 - Jimmy Dorsey: “Blue Champagne”

1951 - Tony Bennett: “Because of You”

1965 - The McCoys: “Hang On Sloopy”

1975 - John Denver: “I’m Sorry”

1980 - Diana Ross: “Upside Down”

1980 - David Bowie: ‘Scary Monsters and Supercreeps,’ UK LP

1986 - Lionel Richie: ‘Dancing on the Ceiling,’ LP

1998 - Monica: “The First Night”

2008 - Pink: “So What”

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History, this day in rock history, today in rock and roll

1889 - George Gershwin (”Rhapsody in Blue”) is born today.

1925 - Marty Robbins (”El Paso”) is born on this day.

1926 - Julie London (”Cry Me a River”) is born today.

1941 - Joe Bauer of the Young bloods is born.

1945 - Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music is born on this day.

1947 - Lynn Anderson (”Rose Garden”) is born.

1948 - Olivia Newton-John is born on this day.

1954- Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos is born today.

1954 - Craig Ch1quico of Jefferson Starship is born.

1957 - The Montones record “Book of Love.”

1962 - Tracey Thorn of Everything but the Girl is born on this day.

1965 - Cindy Herron of En Vogue is born today.

1969 - San Francisco’s Fillmore West opens.

1972 - Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men is born on this day.

1975 - Vicki Sue Robinson records “Turn the Beat Around.”

1984 - Paul Anka receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2003 - Robert Palmer died of a heart attack in Paris, France.  He was a member of Chic and Power Station and had a successful solo career (”Simply Irresistible” and “Addicted To Love”).

#1 Songs This Week:

1943 - Bing Crosby: “Sunday, Monday or Always”

1957 - Jimmie Rodgers: “Honeycomb”

1964 - Roy Orbison: “Oh, Pretty Woman”

1971 - Rod Stewart: “Maggie Mae/Reason to Believe”

1981 - Genesis: ‘Adacab,’ UK  LP

1981 - The Go-Go’s: ‘Beauty and the Beat,’ LP

1982 - John Cougar: “Jack and Diane”

1987 - Michael Jackson: ‘Bad,’ LP

1987 - Whitney Houston: “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”

1992 - Belinda Carlisle: ‘The Best of Belinda, Vol 1,’ LP

1998 - Melanie B featuring Missy Elliott: “I Want You Back,” UK

1998 - Aerosmith: “I Don’t Miss a Thing”

2006 - Justin Timberlake: “SexyBack” 

1999 - The Dixie Chicks: ‘Fly,’ LP

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 1933 - Eric Darling of the Tarriers, Wearers and the Rooftop Singers (”Walk Right In”) is born today.

1939 - John Russell of the Persuasions is born on this day.

1943 - Gary Alexander of the Association is born today.

1945 - Onnie McIntyre of the Average White band is born today on this day.

1946 - Jerry Penrod of Iron Butterfly is born today.

1955 - Steve Severin of Siouxsie and the Banshees is born on this day.

1962 - Bobby Darin records “You’re the Reason I’m Living.”

1964 - The Temptations begin recording “My Girl.”

1965 - The Beatles cartoon series debuts on ABC-TV.

1968 - Will Smith (aka Fresh Prince) is born today.

1970 - Janis Joplin records “Me and Bobby McGee.”

1970 - The Partridge family dets on TV with Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Susan Dey and Danny Bonaduce.

1975 - Jackie Wilson suffered a heart attack and collapsed onstage while performing “Lonely Teardrops.”

1980 - John “Bonzo” Bonham of Led Zeppelin died at the age of 32 after a heavy drinking session.  He  died at Jimmy Page’s house and  was found to have died of asphyxiation after inhaling his own vomit.

1990 - “Little Richard Boulevard” is dedicated in his home town of Macon, Georgia.

1992 - Two fans were stabbed and  there were 20 arrests after trouble broke out at an Ozzy Osbourne concert.

1998 - John Fogerty receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999 - Stephen Canady of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils was killed when the World War II airplane he was flying crashed into a tree.

#1 Songs This Week:

1941 - Jimmy Dorsey: “Blue Champagne”

1958 - Tommy Edwards: “It’s All in the Game”

1960 - Connie Francis: “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own”

1961 - Leroy Van Dyke: “Walk On By”

1968 - Mary Hopkin: “Those Were The Days,” UK

1971 - Deep Purple: ‘Fireball,’ UK LP

1975 - John Denver: “I’m Sorry/Calypso”

1983 - Bonnie Tyler: “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

1993 - Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince: “Boom! Shake The Room,” UK

1993 - Nirvana: ‘In Utero,’ UK LP

1996 - Los Del Rio: “Macarena”

2000 - LL Cool J: ‘G.O.A.T.,’ LP

2001 - Alicia Keys: “Fallin’”

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History, this day in rock and roll, today in rock music history

1931 - Anthony Newley is born on this day.

1933 - Mel Taylor, drummer for the Ventures is born today.

1936 - Jim Henson, voice of the Muppets is born on this day.

1940 - Barbara Allbut of the Angels (”My Boyfriend’s Back”) is born.

1942 - Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers is born on this day.

1942 - Linda  McCartney (Linda Eastman), wife of Paul McCartney, is born today.

1946 - Jerry Donahue of Fairport Convention is born.

1954 - Sarah Vaughan records “Make Yourself Comfortable.”

1957 - Alan  Freed’s “Mr Rock ‘n’ Roll” movie opens at the Paramount Theatre in New York.

1958 - The Platters record “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”

1958 - “The Donna Reed” show with Shelley Fabares and Paul Petersen debuts on ABC-TV.

1971 - The Jackson 5 appear on the cover of Life magazine.

#1 Songs This Week:

1954 - Bing Crosby: “Swinging on a Star”

1961 - John Leyton: Johnny Remember Me,” UK

1966 - The Association: “Cherish”

1973 - Grand Funk:  “We’re An American Band”

1975 - Rod Stewart: Sailing,” UK

1983 - Billy Joel: “Tell Her About It”

1983 - UB40: Lab’or of Love,’ UK LP

1984 - Prince & The Revolution: “Let’s Go Crazy”

1984 - Culture  Club: “Karma Chameleon” UK

1988 - Bobby McFerrin: “Don’t Worry Be Happy”

1988 - The Hollies: “He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother,”UK

1995 - Mariah Carey: “Fantasy”

2000 - Madonna: ‘Music,’ UK LP

2000 - Mariah Carey and Westlife: “Against All Odds,” UK

2007 - Kanye West: “Stronger”

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History, this day in rock and roll, today in rock music history

1930 - Singer songwriter Ray Charles is born on this day.

1938 - Ben E King is born on this day.

1943 - Julio Iglesias is born today.

1943 - Steve Boone of the Lovin Spoonful is born.

1945 - Ron Bushey of Iron Butterfly is born today.

1948 - Jerry Corbetta of Sugarloaf (”Green-Eyed Lady”) is born on this day.

1949 - Bruce Springsteen is born on this day.

1953 - The Spaniels record “Good Night Sweetheart.”

1958 - Fats Domino records “Whole Lotta Loving.”

1969 - Paul McCartney is rumored dead for the first time in the Illinois Univerity newspaper The Morning Star.

1970 - Ani DeFranco is born today.

1974 - Robbie McIntosh  founding member of the Average White Band died of a heroin overdose at a Hollywood party.

1991 - Guitarist Izzy Stradlin leaves Guns ‘n Roses and is replaced by Gilby Clarke.

1992 - Actress Darryl Hannah breaks up with Jackson Browne claiming he assaulted her.

1998 - Elvis Presley is posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

#1 Songs This Week:

1957 - The Crickets: “That’ll Be The Day”

1961 - The Shadows: ‘The Shadows,’ UK LP

1965 - The Walker Brothers: “Make It Easy On Yourself,” UK

1972 - Mac Davis: “Baby. Don’t Get Hooked on Me”

1978 - 10CC: “Dreadlock Holiday,” UK

1989 - Milli Vanilli: “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You”

1989 - Eurythmics: ‘We Too Are One,’ UK LP

1995 - Shaggy: “Boombastic”

2001 - Jay-Z: ‘The Blueprint,’ LP

2001 - Kylie Minogue: “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head,” UK

2006 - Beyonce: ‘B’Day,’ LP

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History, today in rock and roll history, today in rock music history

1913 - Leroy Holmes is born today.

1930 - Joni James (”You Are My Love”) is born.

1949 - David Coverdale of Whitesnake is born on this day.

1956 - Debbie Boone (”You Light Up My Life”), daughter of Pat Boone, is born today.

1960 - Joan Jett is born.

1965 - The Supremes record “I Hear A Symphony.”

1967 - The Beatles appear as an abstract drawing on the cover of  Time Magazine.

1975 - Rapper Mystikal (Michael Tyler) is born on this day.

1980 - John Lennon signs with US Geffen Records.

1985 - The first “Farm Aid” concert was held in Champaign, Illinois featuring Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, John Fogerty and others.

#1 Songs This Week:

1949 - Vic Damone: “You’re Breaking My Heart”

1957 - The Crickets: “That’ll Be The Day”

1958 - Connie Francis: “Carolina Moon/Stupid Cupid,” UK

1964 - Herman’s Hermits: “I’m Into Something Good,” UK

1965 - Barry McGuire: “Eve of Destruction”

1966 - Jim Reeves: “Distant Drums,” UK

1967 - The Box Tops: “The Letter”

1974 - Andy Kim: “Rock Me Gently”

1984 - John Waite: “Missing You”

1991 - Bryan Adams: “(Everything I Do) I Do It  For You,” UK

1992 - Boyz II Men: “End of the Road”

2002 - Paul Weller: ‘Illumination,’ UK LP

2004 - Ciara featuring Petey Pablo: “Goodies”

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History, this day in rock music, today in rock history

1934 - Leonard Cohen is born today.

1943 - Rockabilly artist Dickey Lee is born today.

1947 - Don Felder of the Eagles is born.

1957 - Scotty Moore and Bill Black quit as Elvis Presley’s backup singers in a salary dispute.

1954 - Phil Taylor of Motorhead is born on this day.

1959 - Corinne Drewery of Swing Out Sister is born today.

1966 - Jimmy Hendrix changes his name to “Jimi.”

1967 - Country artist Faith Hill is born.

1967 - Tyler Stewart of Barenaked Ladies is born on this day.

1968 - Jon Brooks of the Charlatans is born today.

1972 - David Silveria of Korn is born.

1972 - Liam Gallagher of Oasis is born on this day.

1974 - Walter Brennan (”Old Rivers”) dies of emphysema.

1977 - Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit is born today.

1980 - During a North American tour, Bob Marley collapsed while jogging.  After running tests, he was found to have cancer.  He played  his last concert two nights later in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

#1 Songs This Week:

1945 - Perry Como: “Till the End of Time”

1954 - Rosemary Clooney: “Hey There”

1963 - Bobby Vinton: “Blue Velvet”

1968 - Jeannie C Riley: “Harper Valley PTA”

1970 - Freda Payne: “ Band of Gold,” UK

1973 - Rolling Stones: ‘Goat’s Head Soup,’ UK LP

1974 - Barry White: “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby”

1974 - Carl Douglas: ” Kung Fu Fighting,” UK

1981 - Adam and the Ants: “Prince Charming,” UK

1985 - Madonna: ‘Like a Virgin,’ UK LP

1985 - Dire Straits: “Money for Nothing”

1990 - Wilson Phillips: “Release Me”

1991 - Dire Straits: ‘On Every Street,’ UK LP

2003 - Hillary Duff: ‘Metamorphosis,’ LP

2008 - Pink: “So What”

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History, this day in rock and roll, today in rock history