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Today in Music History: 'Great Balls Of Fire' was released

Jerry Lee Lewis shot to fame in the 1950s with hits such as "A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire."
Jerry Lee Lewis shot to fame in the 1950s with hits such as "A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire."Courtesy of the artist, via NPR

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November 03, 2017

Birthday Highlight:

Today in 1957, Sun Records released "Great Balls Of Fire," by Jerry Lee Lewis. The single went on to sell more than five million copies worldwide, and was a No. 2 in the U.S, making it one of the world's best-selling singles of all time.

Also, Today In:

1962 - The Crystals started a two week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "He's A Rebel."

1965 - The Beatles recorded "Michelle" at EMI Studios in London. The song went on to become one of the Beatles' most popular songs in France given that some of the lyrics are in French.

1977 - During a concert in London, Elton John announced his retirement from live performances.

1979 - The Eagles started a nine-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with The Long Run, their fourth U.S. No. 1 album.

1985 - With hit songs like "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins and "Smuggler's Blues" by Glenn Frey, the Miami Vice TV soundtrack was the No. 1 album in America.

1993 - Russian inventor Leon Theremin died. Theremin is best known for the electronic musical instrument that bears his name. He first performed the Theremin with the New York Philharmonic in 1928; in pop music, the Theremin features prominently in the Beach Boys' hit song, "Good Vibrations."

1990 - "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice became the first rap record to top the U.S. singles chart.

2000 - Despite millions in sales in the 1980s, EMI Records announced it was dropping Simple Minds off its roster.

2002 - Britain's "King of Skiffle," Lonnie Donegan, died in England. He was 71. Donegan greatly influenced the development of British rock 'n' roll; the Beatles and Led Zeppelin are among numerous artists who cite Donegan's influence.

2013 - The first ever YouTube awards were held in New York City. The event featured Eminem, Lady Gaga and M.I.A making live music videos directed by the awards' creator, Spike Jonze, and others. Eminem won Artist of the Year, while Taylor Swift's 'I Knew You Were Trouble' took the YouTube Phenomenon award.

Birthday:

Adam Ant is 63.

Happy birthday to PaviElle!

Courtney Barnett is 30.

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