History Highlight:

Today in 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. Who drummer Keith Moon, dubious about the band's prospects, 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.

Also, Today In:

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

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 - Paul McCartney's theme song to the James Bond flick Live And Let Die was released.

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 US album chart with Born In The USA. The album went on to spend a total of 139 weeks on the US chart. Its also one of three albums (Michael Jackson's Thriller and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814) to produce seven Top-ten US singles.

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

Birthdays:

Ringo Starr is 74 today.