History Highlight:

Today in 1980, Blondie hit No. 1 on the charts with "The Tide Is High" - a song written by Jamaican reggae star John Holt and released in 1967 with his group The Paragons. It would be Blondie's penultimate No. 1 hit, as their final chart topper was the following year's "Rapture."

Also, Today In:

1956 - Elvis' first film, Love Me Tender, premiered.

1969 - Janis Joplin was arrested during a gig in Tampa, Florida, after badmouthing a policeman and using "vulgar and indecent" language. Joplin became upset after police moved into the hall forcing fans to move back to their seats.

1974 - The Faces released what would be their final single and one of the longest song titles, "You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything (Even Take the Dog for a Walk, Mend a Fuse, Fold Away the Ironing Board, or Any Other Domestic Shortcomings)" Two years later, Rod Stewart permanently departed to devote all his efforts to a solo career.

1990 - David Bowie appeared as The Elephant Man on Broadway.

1992 - Ozzy Osbourne announced his retirement from touring after a gig in California, saying "Who wants to be touring at 46?"

2007 - Jay-Z went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with American Gangster, his 10th No. 1 album. This made the rapper second with Elvis Presley for the most No. 1 albums on the chart; only the Beatles had more, with 19.

Birthdays:

Frida Lyngstad of ABBA is 71.

Ol' Dirty Bastard (ODB) was born today in 1968.

Highlights for Today in Music History are gathered from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, Song Facts and Wikipedia.