History Highlight:

Today in 1943, the legendary Janis Joplin was born. Popular songs from the rock/soul/psychadelic singer include "Piece of My Heart," "Ball 'n' Chain," "Cry Baby," "Mercedes Benz," and her only number one hit, "Me and Bobby McGee." Her fans referred to her stage presence as "electric" and at the height of her career, she was known as "The Queen of Psychedelic Soul." Primarily known for her singing/songrwiting, she was also a painter, dancer and music arranger. Janis died on October 4, 1970 from an accidental heroin overdose after a long struggle with substance abuse.

Also, Today In:

1967 - The Monkees were at No. 1 on the U.K. singles with "I'm A Believer", the group's only U.K. No.1. The song composed by Neil Diamond had 1,051,280 advance orders, and went gold within two days of release.

Today in 1967, The Beatles began recording "A Day In The Life" at Abbey Road studios London, recording four takes of the new song. "A Day in the Life" is the final song on the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

1971 - The mass murder trial of Charles Manson was under way. Much to the dismay of The Beatles, Helter Skelter was played in the courtroom. Manson had reportedly scrawled "helter skelter" on a mirror at the scene of the crime.

1974 - A nine-mile long traffic jam prevented many fans from entering the Bob Dylan concert with The Band at the Miami Sportsatorium until it was half-over.

1976 - Promoter Bill Sargent made his first proposal to The Beatles to reunite, offering $30 million for just one concert. As we know, they refused it and all ensuing entreaties.

1980 - The Wall by Pink Floyd began a 15-week run on top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart. It was Pink Floyd's third number one album in the U.S.

1985 - Bruce Springsteen peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with "Born in the U.S.A.", Springsteen's fourth top ten single in the U.S.

1993 - Fleetwood Mac reunited to play "Don't Stop" and other hits at the first inauguration celebration for President Bill Clinton.

1994 - Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on this day were The Animals, The Band, Duane Eddy, The Grateful Dead, Elton John, John Lennon (as a solo artist), Bob Marley and Rod Stewart.

1998 - Carl Perkins, a legendary pioneer of rockabilly, died in Nashville following a series of strokes.

2003 - Norah Jones started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Come Away With Me, also a U.K. No. 1.

Birthdays:

Janis Joplin was born today in 1943.

Dolly Parton is 70 today.

Rod Evans, singer for Deep Purple, is 69 today.

Robert Palmer was born today in 1949.

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