1939 - Charles Foxx (”Mockingbird”today  with  sister Inez) is born on this day.

1940 - Fred Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers is born today.

1941 - Greg Ridley of Humble Pie is born.

1949 - Michael Burston of Motorhead is born on this day.

1956 - Country singer Dwight Yoakum is born today.

1959 - Weird Al Yankovic is born.

1962 - 12-year old ‘Little’ Stevie Wonder recorded his first single with Motown Records “Thank You For Loving Me All The Way.”

#1 Songs This Week:

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

1955 - Roger Williams: “Autumn Leaves”

1961 - Dion: “Runaround Sue”

1976 - Chicago: “If You Leave Me Now”

1985 - Whitney Houston: “Saving All My Love For You”

1988 - D Mob: “We Call It Acieed,” UK

1993 - Meatloaf: “I’d Do Anything For Love,” UK & US

19991 - Santana featuring Rob Thomas: “Smooth”

2000 - Christina Aguilera: “Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)”

2005 - Arctic Monkeys: “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor,” UK

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

1939 - Ray Jones. bass player for Billy J Kramer is born on this day.

1942 - Annette Funicello is born.

1943 - Bobby Fuller of the Bobby Fuller Four (”I Fought the Law”) is born today.

1945 - Eddie Brigati of the Young Rascals is born.

1964 - The Who, known as the High Numbers then, auditoned for EMI Records and were turned down.

1969 - Tommy Edwards died after suffering a brain aneurysm in Henrico County, Virginia.

1985 - Zachary Walker Hanson of Hanson is born on this day.

1992 - Boyz II Men receive eawards for the longest running #1 song “End of the Road” breaking Elvis’ previous record of 11 weeks held by “Don’t Be Cruel/Hound Dog.”

1993 - Annette receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on her 51st birthday.

#1 Songs This Week:

1942 - Glenn Miller: “(I’ve Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo”

1953 - Stan Freberg: “St George and the Dragonet”

1961 - Dion: “Runaround Sue”

1964 - Sandie Shaw: “(There’’s) Always Something There To Remind Me,” UK

1966 - The Supremes: ‘The Supremes A Go-Go,’ LP

1973 - Gladys Knight & the Pips: “Midnight Train in Georgia”

1982 - John Cougar Mellencamp: “Jack and Diane”

1983 - Culture Clug: ‘Color By Numbers,’ UK LP

1988 - U2: ‘Rattle and Hum’ UK LP

1992 - Boyz II Men: “End of the Road”

2000 - All Saints: ‘Saints and Sinners,’   LP

2006 - Ludacris featuring Pharrell: “Money Maker”

2000 - Ja Rule: ”Rule 3:36,’ LP

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

1917 - Jazz Trumpeter Dizzy  Gillespie is born.

1937 - Norman Wright of the Vikings is born today.

1940 - Manfred Mann is born on this day.

1940 - Jimmy Beaumont of the Skyliners (”Since I Don’t Have You”) is born.

1941 - Steve Cropper of Booker T and the MGs is born today.

1942 - Elvin Bishop (”Fooled Around and Fell in Love”) is born.

1943 - Ron Elliott of the Beau Brummels is born on this day.

1945 - Kathy Young (”A Thousand Stars”) is born.

1946 - Lee Loughnane of the Grateful Dead is born today.

1947 - Tetsu Yamauchi of Faces is born.

1952 - Brent Mydland of the Grate Dead is born on this day.

1953 - Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Go’s is born today.

1954 - Eric Faulkner of the Bay City Rollers is born.

1957 - Steve Lukather of  Toto is born on this day.

1958 - Buddy Holly’s last recording session took place in New York.  He recorded “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” which became a No 1 hit.

#1 Songs This Week:

1947 - Francis Craig: “Near You”

1957 - Elvis Presley: “Jailhouse Rock”

1967 - Lulu: “To Sir With Love”

1972 - Chuck Berry: “My Ding-a-Ling”

1972 - Curtis Mayfield: ‘Superfly (OST),’ LP

1989 - Phil Collins: “Groovy Kind of Love”

1989 - Kylie Minogue:  ‘Enjoy Yourself, ‘ UK LP

1990 - Janet Jackson: “Black Cat”

1995 - Simply  Red: ‘Life,’ UK LP

1995 - Mariah Carey: ‘Daydream,’ LP

2004 - Ciara featuring Petey Pablo: “Goodies”

2006 - Evanescence: ‘The Open Door,’  LP

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

1890 - Jelly Roll Morton is born on this day.

1937 - Country singer Wanda Jackson is born.

1939 - Jay Siegel of the Tokens is born today.

1945 - Ric Lee of Ten Years After is born.

1951 - Alan Greenwood of Foreigner is born on this day.

1953 - Tom Petty is born today.

1954 - Lavern Baker records “Tweedle Dee.”

1955 - Harry Belafonte records “The Banana Boat Song.”

1964 - Jim Sonfield of Hootie & the Blowfish is born.

1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono release their ‘Wedding Album’ lp.

1971 - Snoop Doggy Dog (Calvin Broadus) is born on this day.

1977 - Ronnie Van Zandt, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines of Lynyrd Skynyrd were all killed along with their manager Dean Kilpatrick when their rented plane ran out of gas and crashed in a deeply wooded swamp in Gilsburg, Missouri.

#1 Songs This Week:

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

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

1960 - Roy Orbison: “Only the Lonely,” UK

1962 - Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett & the Cryptkickers: “Monster Mash”

1962 - Peter, Paul & Mary (self-titled), LP

1973 - Rolling Stones: “Angie”

1979 - The Eagles: ‘The Long Run,’ LP

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

1984 - Wham!: “Freedom,” UK

1990 - The Christians: ‘Some Friendsly, UK LP

1990 - James Ingram: “I Don’t Have The Heart”

2002 - Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland: “Dilemma”

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

1934 - David Guard of the Kingston Trio is born today.

1944 - George McCrae (”Rock Your Baby is born on this day.

1944 - Peter Tosh of the Wailers is born today,

1945 - Jannie C Riley (”Harper Valley PTA”) is born.

1946 - Keith Reid of Procul Harum is born on this day.

1947 - Wilbur Hart of the Delfonics is born today.

1956 - Nico DeFranco of the DeFranco Family is born.

1967 - Jose Feliciano records “Light My Fire.”

1958 - Brenda Lee records “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.”

1972 - Michael Pras of the Fugees is born on this day.

1985 - Jazz trumpet Don Cherry died of liver failure at age 58.

1997 - Guitarist Glen Buxton of the Alice Cooper Band died of pneumonia at the age of 49.

#1 Songs This Week:

1944 - The Mills Brothers: “You Always Hurt The One You Love”

1955 - The Four Aces: “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing”

1960 - Brenda Lee: “I Want To Be Wanted”

1961 - Helen Shapiro: “Walkin Back To Happiness”, UK

1963 - Buck Owens: “Love’s Gonna Live Here”

1967 - “Sound of Music (OST),’ UK LP

1974 - Bachman Turner Overdrive: “Not Fragile,” LP

1974 - Billy Preston: “Nothing from Nothing”

1974 - Rod Stewart: ‘Smiler,’ UK LP

1979 - Herb Alpert: “Rise”

1985 - A-Ha: “Take On Me”

1986 - Cyndi Lauper: “True Colors”

1995 - Nirvana: ‘The Muddy Banks of the Wishkah,’ LP

2000 - Christina Aguilera: “Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)”

2003 - Ludacris: ‘Chicken and Beer,’ LP

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

1925 - The Grand Ole Opry opens.

1926 - Chuck Berry is born on this day.

1938 - Ronnie Bright of The Coasters is born today.

1943 - Russ Gigure of the Association is born on this day.

1947 - Singer songwriter Laura Nyro is born.

1949 - Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon is born on this day.

1952 - Keith Knudsen of the Doobie Brothers is born today.

1961 - Wynton Marsalis is born on this day.

1963 - Chuck Berry is releases from prison after serving 19 months for transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes.

1969 - Rod Stewart joins Faces.

1974 - Al Green is burned by his girlfriend who then commits suicide.

1987 - Zach Efron from High School Musical is born.

2000 - Actress/singer Julie London died after suffering a stroke

#1 Songs This Week:

1946 - Frankie Carle: “Rumors Are Flying”

1950 - Gordon Jenkins & the Weavers: “Goodnight Irene”

1967 - Bee Gees: “Massachusetts,” UK

1969 - The Temptations: “I Can’t Get Next To You”

1974 - Sweet Sensations: :Sad Sweet Dreamer,” UK

1974 - Billy Preston: “Nothing from Nothing”

1975 - John Denver: ‘Windsong,’ LP

1981 - Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin: “It’s My Party,” UK

1986 - Janet Jackson: “When I Think Of You”

1986 - Huey Lewis & The News: ‘Fore!,’ LP

1995 - Marah Carey: “Fantasy”

2005 - Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx: “Gold Digger”

1998 - Jay-Z: ‘Vol 2…Hard Knock Life,’ LP

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

1933 - County piano player Floyd Cramer is born on this day.

1941 - Alan Howard of the Tremeloes is born today.

1941 - Jim Seals of Seals & Croft is born.

1942 - Gary Puckett of Gary Puckett & the Union Gap is born today.

1946 - Jim Tucker of the Turtles is born on this day.

1947 - David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap is born today.

1956 - Mickey and Sylvia record “Love is Strange.”

1958 - Country singer Alan Jackson is born.

1960 - Dion leaves the Belmonts for a solo career.

1963 - The Beatles record “I Wana Hold Your Hand.”

1963 - Bobby Goldsboro records: “See the Funny Little Clown.”

1968 - Ziggy Marley of Ziggy Marley & the Melodymakers is born on this day.

1969 — Paul Kanter of Jefferson Airplane was busted for marijuana possession and fined $350.

1972 - Rapper Eminem is born today.

1972 - Wyclef Jean of the Fugees is born.

1972 - Bill  Williams (”I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter”) dies of diabetes,

1977 - Chris Kirkpatrick of ‘NSync is born on this day.

1978 - Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand record “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”

1991 - Tennessee Ernie Ford dies of liver failure.

1995 - Sting’s former accountant Keith Moore was sentenced to 6 years in jail for embezzling from Sting’s 108 bank accounts.

1996 - Lush drummer Chris Acland commits suicide at age 30.

2002 - Derek Bell of  the Chieftains dies of cardiac arrest in Phoenix, Arizona.

2004 - Michael Jackson’s longtime lawyer Steve Cochran leaves his defense team but “agrees to collaborate” during Jackson’s fight against child abuse charges.

2006 - Stevie Wonder receives a Lifetime Achievement  Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

2007 - The state of California announces that Dionne Warwick owes nearly $2.67 million in back taxes.

2007 - Singer Teresa Brewer dies of supranuclear palsey at the age of 76.

2008 - Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops dies of cancer at hs Detroit home at the age of 72.

2008 - Madonna and Guy announce their 7-year marriage is over because they had drifted apart.

#1 Songs This Week:

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

1951 - Tony Bennett: “Because of You”

1953 - Frankie Laine: “Hey Joel,” UK

1960 - The Drifters: “Save the Last Dance for Me”

1961 - Dion: “Runaround Sue”

1964 - Manfred Mann: “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”

1970 - The Jackson Five: “I’ll Be There”

1976 - Chicago: “If You Leave Me Now”

1984 - Stevie  Wonder: “I Just Called to Say I Love You”

1987 - Bruce Springsteen: ‘Tunnel of Love,’ UK LP

1987 - Lisa Lisa and Cold Cut: “Lost in Emotion”

1987 - Bee Gees: “You Win Again,” UK

1992 - Boyz II Men: “End of the Road”

1992 - Prince: ‘Symbol,’ UK LP

1992 - Tasmin Archer: “Sleeping Satellite,” UK

1998 - Billie: “Girlfriend,” UK

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

2004 - Usher and Alicia Keys: “My Boo”

2004 - REM: ‘Around the Sun,’ LP

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

1923 - Bert Kaempfert (”Wonderland By Night”) is born on this day.

1937 - Emile Ford of the Checkmates is born today.

1938 - Nico of Velvet Underground is born.

1943 - Fred Turner of Bachman Turner Overdrive is born on this day.

1947 - Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead is born today.

1951 - Richard Penniman who was already using the stage name Little Richard made his first recordings for RCA Camden at the Atlanta radio station WGST recording studio.

1951 - Johnny Ray records: “Cry.”

1959 - Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet is born.

1962 - Micael Balzary (Flea) of Red Hot Chili Peppers is born on this day.

1965 - The Beatles record “Day Tripper.”

1968 - Jay & the Americans record “This Magic Moment.”

1969 - Leonard Chess, founder of Chess Records dies of a heart attack at age 52.

1969 - Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips is born today.

1972 - Creedence Clearwater Revival split up.

1977 - John Mayer (”Our Body Is a Wonderland”) is born.

1986 - Chuck Berry’s 60th birthday party, organized by Keith Richards, is held at the Fox Theater in St Louis.

#1 Songs This Week:

1948 - Margaret Whiting: “A Tree in the Meadow”

1952 - Patti Page: “I Went to Your Wedding”

1956 - Frankie Laine: “A Woman in Love,” UK

1959 - Bobby Darin: “Mack the Knife,” US & UK

1967 - Lulu: “To Sir With Love”

1969 - Bobbie Gentry: “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” UK

1976 - Dick Dees and His Cast of Idiots: “Disco Duck, Part 1″

1976 - Stevie Wonder: ‘Songs in the Key of Life,’ LP

1981 - Christopher Cross: “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”

1988 - Whitney Houston: “One Moment in Time,” UK

1998 - Barenaked Ladies: “One Week”

1999 - Garth Brooks: ‘In Pieces,’ LP

1999 - Santana: “Smooth”

2005 - Sugarbabes: ‘Taller in More Ways,’ UK LP

2006 - Justin Timberlake: “SexyBack”

2008 - Britney Spears: “Womanizer,” UK

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

1925 - Mickey Baker of Mickey & Sylvia (”Love Is Strange”) is born.

1935 - Barry McGuire (”Eve of Destruction”) is born on this day.

1938 - Marv Johnson (”Come to Me,” Motown’s first single) is born today.

1942 - Don Stevenson of Moby Grape is born.

1943 - Barry Sadler (”Green Beret”) is born today.

1946 - Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters is born on this day.

1947 - Chris De Burgh (”The Lady in Red”) is born today.

1953 - Tito Jackson of the Jackson Five is born.

1955 - Fats Domino records “I’m In Love Again.”

1955 - Buddy & Bob (Buddy Holly) opened for Elvis Presley at the “Big D Jamboree”  held at Lubbock’s Cotton Club, Texas.  Nashville talent scout Eddie Crandall was in the audience and arranged for Holly to audition to cut demos on the Decca label.

1959 - Jim Reeves records “He’ll have to go.

1961 - Elvis Presley records “Good Luck Charm.”

1963 - The Rip Chords record “Hey Little Cobra.”

1966 - Little Richard records “Good Golly Miss Molly.”

1966 - The Monkees record “I’m a Believer.”

1958 - Jackie Wilson records “Lonely Teardrops.”

1965 - Jimi Hendrix signed his first recording contract for $1 and a 1% Royalty on all his recordings.

1965 - Country Joe & the Fish give out their first record, “Fire in the City/Superbird,” at a protest in Oakland.

1971 - Rick Nelson is booed off the stage at Madison Square Garden when he performed new material.  He wrote “Garden Party” as a result.

1973 - Keith Richards was found guilty of trafficking marijuana in Nice, France.  He was given a 1-year suspended sentence , a 5,000 franc fine and banned from France for 2 years.

1973 - Elvis Presley is hospitalized in Memphis for two weeks for “pneumonia.”

1976 - Ike and Tina Turner split up.

1988 - Def Leppard become the first act in history to sell 7 million copies of two consecutive LP’s: ‘Pyromania’ and ‘Hysteria.’

1999 - Terry Gilkeyson (”Marianne”) dies of complications from an aneurism.

2006 - Freddy Fender (”Before the Next Teardrop Falls”) dies of lung cancer.

#1 Songs This Week:

1940 - Bing Crosby: “Only Forever”

1957 - Elvis Presley: “Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice”

1966 - The Four Tops: “Reach Out I’ll Be There”

1972 - Lieutenant Pigeon: “Moldy Old Dough,” UK

1977 - Debby Boone: “You Light Up My Life”

1979 - Herb Alpert:  ”Rise”

1983 - Genesis: ‘Genesis,’ UK LP

1988 - Bon Jovi: ‘New Jersey,’ LP

1988 - Chris De Burgh: ‘Flying Colors,’ UK LP

1988 - UB 40: “Red Red Wine”

1994 - REM: ‘Monster,’ LP

1994 - Take That:  “Sure,” UK

1995 - Mariah Carey: ‘Daydream,’ LP

1996 - Los Lobos: “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)”

2000 - Radiohead: ‘Kid A,’ LP

2000 - U2: ” Beautiful Day,” UK

2004 - Ciara featuring Petey Pablo: Goodies”

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