History Highlight:

1963 - The first issue of "Beatles Monthly," a magazine devoted to the group, was published. It continued for 77 editions until 1969, and at its peak was selling over 350,000 copies a month.

1964 - Billboard Magazine reported that the harmonica was making a comeback in a big way thanks to its use by Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

1971 - The Concert for Bangladesh, organized by George Harrison to aid victims of famine and war in Bangladesh, took place at New York's Madison Square Garden. The event featured performances by Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, and more.

1971 - The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour premiered on CBS television.

1980 - Def Leppard made their U.S. live debut when they appeared at the New York City concert opening for AC/DC. It was also Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott's 21st birthday.

1981 - Australian singer Rick Springfield started a two week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Jessie's Girl", which later won the singer a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The song was at No. 1 when MTV launched on August 1, 1981. Rick had played Noah Drake in the TV show General Hospital.

1987 - Los Lobos were at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart with their version of the Ritchie Valens song "La Bamba", which was also a No.1 hit in the US.

1987 - MTV Europe was launched, the first video played being "Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits which contained the appropriate line "I Want My MTV".

2007 - Prince kicked off a series of 21 sold out U.K. shows at London's O2 arena. Tickets for the events cost 31.21 - the same figure used by the singer to name his album, website and perfume.

Birthdays:

Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead was born today in 1942.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard is 57.

Chuck D of Public Enemy is 56.

Coolio is 53.

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