History Highlight:

Today in 1986, CBS-TV newsman Dan Rather was caught off guard and roughed up in NYC by one man, as another yelled the enigmatic, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" R.E.M. was inspired to later write a song about the incident, and it was their first single off of their 1994 album Monster.

Also, Today In:

1963 - The up and coming Eric Clapton was tapped to replace Anthony "Top" Topham in the Yardbirds.

1963 - The Beatles made their first appearance on the U.K. show 'Ready Steady Go!'

1969 - Creedence Clearwater Revival started a four-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Green River, the group's first U.S. chart topper.

1969 - The Beatles' Abbey Road album went to No. 1 on the U.K. chart.

1970 - Janis Joplin died alone of a heroin overdose in her room at the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood, California. At just 27, she was just finishing up recording her second solo album, Pearl.

1974 - John Lennon's next-to-last album before his self-imposed recording and performing hiatus, Walls & Bridges was released.

1975 - Pink Floyd went to No. 1 on the U.K. album chart with Wish You Were Here.

1980 - Queen started a three week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Another One Bites The Dust." It was the waning months of the disco era, yet the group's first stab at a disco single was a massive success.

2005 - Mike Gibbins, drummer with Badfinger died in his sleep at the age of 56.

2014 - Paul Revere, organist and leader of Paul Revere And The Raiders died following a battle with cancer.

Birthdays

Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys is 57.

Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire is 39.

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