History Highlight:

Today in 1981, new wave pop-rockers Blondie entered the R&B album chart with Autoamerican, which peaked at No. 7. "Rapture," from the same album, turned out to be one of the first big crossover rap hits, going to #1 for two weeks.

Also, Today In:

1965 - After "I Want To Hold Your Hand" held the No. 1 position on the U.S. singles chart for seven weeks, The Beatles started a two-week run at No. 1 with "She Loves You".

1970 - Santana peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with "Evil Ways" which was their first top ten single in the U.S.

1976 - David Bowie and Iggy Pop were busted for drug possession in a hotel room in Rochester, New York.

1981 - John Lennon peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart posthumously with "Woman" which was Lennon's sixth top ten single in the U.S.

1983 - Pink Floyd released The Final Cut, which was their final album with bassist and singer Roger Waters.

1991 - Leo Fender, inventor of the electric guitar, died of complications from Parkinson's disease at the age of 81 in Fullerton, California.

1994 - Bruce Springsteen won the Best Music, Original Song Oscar at the 66th Academy Awards for "Streets of Philadelphia".

2000 - Soul Coughing disbanded after eight years and three albums.

2004 - Ozzy Osbourne was named the nation's favourite ambassador to welcome aliens to planet earth.

2005 - MTV aired the final episode of The Osbournes. Dr. Phil McGraw visited the family where he held a frank discussion about drug abuse and other issues.

2008 - Klaus Dinger of Kraftwerk and Neu! died of heart failure at the age of 61.

2008 - A five-year legal row over the use of the Beach Boys' name was settled by two former members of the group.

Birthdays:

Rosemary "Rosie" Stone of Sly and The Family Stone is 71.

Roger Hodgson-guitarist and singer for Supertramp is 66.

Jonas Berggren of Ace of Base is 49.