History Highlight:

Today in 1970, Paul McCartney released his debut solo album, McCartney (the black cover with the cherries). The "self-interview" included with the advance-press copies of the album essentially confirmed that The Beatles had indeed broken up. McCartney did very well on the charts (debuting at No. 2), but was not well received by critics — nor by any of the other Beatles, who harshly criticized the album's quality.

Also, Today In:

1971 - All four Beatles had solo singles in the U.K. charts: Paul McCartney with "Another Day," John Lennon, "Power To The People," George Harrison, "My Sweet Lord," and Ringo Starr, "It Don't Come Easy."

1973 - Pink Floyd were awarded a Gold album for Dark Side of The Moon, one of the most innovative and memorable albums in the history of rock. The disc would stay on the charts for more than 10 years, the longest-charting rock album of all time.

1980 - Bob Marley & The Wailers performed at and were official guests of state at Zimbabwe's Independence festival. Marley described the occasion as the "greatest honor of my life."

1998 - Linda McCartney died after a long battle against cancer. She married Paul McCartney in 1969 after meeting him while she was working as a photographer. As well as a being a member of Wings, Linda became an animal-rights campaigner and launched her own brand of vegetarian food.

2003 - Earl King, the New Orleans blues guitarist, died at age 69. King wrote the classic song "Come On, (Let The Good Times Roll)," covered by Jimi Hendrix.

2009 - Morrissey walked off stage during his set at the Coachella festival in California after declaring he could "smell burning flesh". A strict vegetarian, Morrissey was reacting to the smoke coming from nearby barbecues.

Birthdays:

Liz Phair is 48.

Pete Shelley, songwriter and guitarist for the Buzzcocks, is 60.