History Highlight:

Today in 1965, "It's My Life" by the Eric Burdon and The Animals hit the U.S. record racks. Brill Building songwriters Roger Atkins and Carl D'Errico wrote the song specifically for the band. Music critic Dave Marsh wrote that "It's My Life" was one of a wave of songs in 1965 by artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan that ushered in a new role for rock music as a vehicle for common perception and as a force for social consciousness.

Today In:

1965 - It was the night of New York City's notorious blackout. Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson and Dylan's pal Bob Neuwirth used the opportunity to jam with Brian Jones of The Stones in his suite at the New York Hilton. In the dark.

1972 - During a UK tour, Billy Murcia of The New York Dolls died after choking on his coffee after an overdose of mandrax.

1973 - Gram Parsons' manager, Phil Kaufman, was fined $300 for stealing Parsons' body from the Los Angeles International Airport. The body was cremated instead of taken to Parsons' funeral. Kaufman claimed that it was Parsons' wish to be cremated.

1975 - The Sex Pistols made their live debut at St Martin's School Of Art in central London, supporting a band called Bazooka Joe, which included Stuart Goddard (the future Adam Ant). The Pistols' performance lasted 10 minutes.

1982 - The Soft Cell hit "Tainted Love," logged a record 43 weeks on Britain's Top 100.

2001 - Less than a year after the breakup of the Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan reemerged with a new band called Zwan. The new Chicago combo featured former Pumpkins' drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.