History Highlight:

Today in 1956, Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" entered the US chart for a 19 week stay, peaking at No.1 for 5 weeks. The song was an adaptation from the tune of "Aura Lee" (or "Aura Lea"), a sentimental Civil War ballad.

Also, Today In:

1962 - The BBC somehow determined that "Monster Mash," by Bobby "Boris" Pickett was offensive and banned it from their airwaves.

1965 - The Supremes made their first of many appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.

1970 - The Carpenters were at No.2 on the US singles chart with "We've Only Just Begun." The song was originally written for a TV commercial advertising a bank.

1979, - The Rose, a film loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, with Bette Midler portraying the Janis-like title character, was screened for the first time in L.A.

2009 - Pearl Jam went to No.1 on the US album chart with Backspacer, the group's ninth studio album.

Birthdays:

John Prine is 68 today.

The jazz great Thelonious Monk was born today in 1917.