Birthday Highlight:

Ringo Starr is 75 today. Born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England, he was the only child of candy-makers Elsie and Richard Starkey. While playing in the band Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Starkey adopted the stage name Ringo Starr, which was derived from the rings he wore and also because it implied a country western influence. While The Hurricanes were playing a residency in Hamburg, Germany, Starr performed with another English band, the Beatles, during a few stand-in engagements. On Aug. 14, 1962, John Lennon asked Starr to join the Beatles, and Starr accepted. In addition to drumming for the Beatles, Starr sings lead vocals on the tracks "Yellow Submarine" and "With a Little Help from My Friends." Since leaving the Beatles in 1969, Starr has enjoyed a successful solo career. His 18th studio album, Postcards from Paradise, was released on March 31 of this year.

Also, Today In:

1962 - David Rose and his Orchestra went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "The Stripper."

1967 - The Monkees begin a U.S. tour with Jimi Hendrix opening.

1968 - Three years after Eric Clapton's departure and eight months after Jeff Beck left the band, The Yardbirds disbanded, guitarist Jimmy Page put together a new lineup to fulfill some contractually obligated concerts and began referring to the group as The New Yardbirds. The Who's drummer Keith Moon was dubious about the band's prospects, and he jokingly suggested that they change their name to "Led Zeppelin," as in, "They'll go over like a lead balloon." The New Yardbirds — Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones — soon did change their name to Led Zeppelin.

1969 - George Harrison recorded his new song "Here Comes the Sun" with just two other Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, at Abbey Road in London. John Lennon was absent recovering from a car crash in Scotland.

1973 - Billy Preston started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Will It Go Round In Circles."

1975 - Keith Richards was charged with possession of a weapon and reckless driving in Arkansas. Hundreds of teenage girls gathered outside the jail where he was being detained and raised a ruckus.

1980 - The original Led Zeppelin lineup performed its final show.

1984 - Bruce Springsteen went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Born In The USA. The album went on to spend a total of 139 weeks on the U.S. chart. Its also one of three albums (Michael Jackson's Thriller and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814) to produce seven top-ten U.S. singles.

1984 - Prince started a five-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "When Doves Cry," his first U.S. No.1, which went on to sell over 2 million copies.

1989 - It was announced that for the first time compact discs were out selling vinyl albums.

2006 - Syd Barrett died from complications arising from diabetes aged 60. The singer, songwriter, guitarist was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, active as a rock musician for only about seven years before he went into seclusion.