History Highlight:

Today in 1956, Elvis Presley gave his final performance on Louisiana Hayride, a live radio program (and later TV program) that was broadcast on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. During the show's heyday from 1948 to 1960, it helped launch the careers of some of the greatest names in American country and western music. Horace Logan, the creator of the show, first made the now legendary phrase "Elvis has left the building".

Also, Today In:

1943 - American jazz musician, singer and composer, Fats Waller died of pneumonia on a train trip near Kansas City, Missouri. He wrote many songs including "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Your Feet's Too Big" and "The Reefer Song".

1957 - Sammy Davis Jr. inaugurated a syndicated radio talk show with a round-table discussion of rock & roll.

1959 - In milestones of sorts, The Everly Brothers pulled a pair of personal firsts. They recorded in New York and were backed by a string section when they cut "Let It Be Me."

1967 - The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour went Gold.

1969 - John Lennon played what would be his final ever gig in the U.K. when he appeared at The Lyceum Ballroom, London, with the Plastic Ono Band in a UNICEF "Peace For Christmas" benefit. George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Delaney and Bonnie, Billy Preston and The Who's drummer, Keith Moon also took part.

1973 - David Cassidy went to No.1 on the U.K. album chart with his third solo album Dreams Are Nothin More Than Wishes.

1977 - Two days before they were scheduled to appear on Saturday Night Live, their first American television appearance and the launch of their U.S. tour, the Sex Pistols were denied entry to the U.S. due to a visa problem.

1979 - Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall" made it to #1 in the U.K.

1988 - James Brown was sentenced to six years in prison for various offenses including possession of weapons and resisting arrest.

1997 - "Spice World The Movie" premiered in London. The following year it was nominated for the "worst film" at the Golden Raspberry Awards.

1998 - Backstreet Boys roadie Michael Barrett filed a $3 million lawsuit against the group claiming damages after a 50-pound cannon fell on his head during a show.

1999 - Boy George was knocked unconscious when a mirror ball fell on his head during a show in Dorset, England.

2003 - Courtney Love was sentenced to 18 months in drug rehabilitation after she admitted being under the influence of cocaine and opiates.

Birthdays:

Alan Freed, the DJ who coined the phrase "Rock and Roll", was born today in 1921.

Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes is 76 today.

Dave Clark of Dave Clark Five is 73 today.

The Clash bassist Paul Simonon is 60 today.

Tim Reynolds of Dave Matthews Band is 58 today.

Highlights for Today in Music History are gathered from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, and Wikipedia.