Birthdays:

Singer-songwriter Damien Rice turns 39 today.

Tom Waits celebrates is 63rd birthday today.

Today In:

1964 - Brian Wilson, the creative mastermind behind the Beach Boys, suffered a nervous breakdown during a flight from Houston to Los Angeles. The pressure of music stardom had become too much; the event led to him to stop touring with the band.

1967 - Otis Redding went into the studio to record "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay". The song went on to be his biggest hit. Redding didn't see its release; he was killed three days later in a plane crash.

1967 - The Beatles' Apple Boutique on 94 Baker Street, London, opened its doors. The store closed seven months later when it fell foul of council objections over the psychedelic mural painted on the outside. All the goods from the shop were given away free to passers by and to people who had lined up throughout the night for a chance of getting a free item.

2007 - Ray Charles Plaza was opened in Albany, Georgia, with a revolving, bronze sculpture of Charles seated at a piano.

History Highlight:

Today in 2003, The Beatles' Let It Be ... Nakedbecame a Top 20 album. The album was a stripped-down version of the original, sans Phil Spector's slick orchestral arrangements and sonic "enhancements".