History Highlight:

Today in 1955 at Sun Studios in Memphis, Carl Perkins recorded his song "Blue Suede Shoes." It is considered one of the first rockabilly records, and incorporated elements of blues, country and pop music of the time. Perkins' version would make it to No. 2 on the charts, although it was Elvis Presley's cover which became the bigger hit.

Also, Today In:

1964 - The Beatles fourth album Beatles For Sale started a seven-week run at No. 1 on the U.K. album charts. Recorded when Beatlemania was just past its peak, Beatles for Sale was The Beatles' fourth album in just 21 months.

1970 - Elton John's first U.S. hit, 'Your Song' entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it went on to reach number eight. The Hollies had been offered the song and Three Dog Night had already recorded a version which was included on their It Ain't Easy album.

1976 - During an interview with U.K. daily newspaper The Daily Mail, the mother of Sex Pistol Paul Cook said he was no longer welcome at home and she was going to turn his bedroom in a dining room.

1981 - The final concert of The Rolling Stones' 1981 U.S. tour took place in Hampton, Virginia. It was viewed by thousands upon thousands when it was shown via cable.

1981 - The Cars peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with their fourth album Shake it Up which later went on to sell two million copies in the U.S.

1981 - ABBA scored their seventh U.K. No. 1 album with The Visitors, the Swedish pop group's eighth and final studio album. It was one of the first records to be recorded and mixed digitally, and was the first in history to be manufactured on the new CD format in 1982 on Atlantic.

1987 - Singer/songwriter Paul Simon hosted Saturday Night Live simultaneously with the senator and then-presidential candidate who bore the same name.

1993 - The Byrds' drummer Michael Clarke died of liver failure at his home in Treasure Island, FL. He was 47 years old.

1999- E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons made a guest appearance on The Simpsons as the narrator of The Simpsons' Christmas.

2000 - 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure aged 42. He was best know for 'Hey Jack Kerouac', 'What's The Matter Here' and 'Candy Everybody Wants'.

2000 - Songwriter, guitarist and singer and founder member of The Staple Singers, Roebuck 'Pops' Staples died.

Birthdays:

Edith Piaf, French cabaret singer, was born today in 1915.

Singer Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire was born today in 1941.

Zal Yanovsky of The Lovin Spoonful was born today in 1944.

Rapper Lady Sovereign is 31.

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