History Highlight:

Today in 1984, a little flick called "Purple Rain", starring Prince in his acting debut, was released. It grossed more than $68 million in the United States and over $80 million worldwide, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

Also, Today In:

1958 - Fans of rock 'n' roll music were warned that listening to music on the car radio could cost them more money. Researchers from the Esso petroleum company said the rhythm of rock music could cause the driver to be foot-heavy on the pedal, making them waste fuel.

1968 - Cass Elliot released her first solo single following the breakup of The Mamas and Papas. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" had been around since 1931 and had been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine and many others. Cass's version would be the most successful when it peaked at No. 12 on the U.S. dchart.

1974 - John Denver started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Annie's Song," the singer's second U.S. No. 1. The song was a tribute to Denver's wife and was written in 10 minutes while he was on a ski lift.

1974 - Lynyrd Skynyrd released "Sweet Home Alabama."

1976 - After a four-year legal fight, John Lennon was awarded his so-called green card, allowing him permanent residence in the U.S.

1983 - Madonna released her first album. The self-titled debut didn't burn up the charts and was ridiculed by Rolling Stone (who called her voice "irritating as hell"), but it got traction in dance clubs, setting the stage for her breakout second album, Like A Virgin.

1985 - Paul Young went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with his version of the Daryl Hall song, "Every Time You Go Away."

1990 - "Rockin' Robin" singer Bobby Day died of cancer in Los Angeles, California, at age 60.

1991 - Bryan Adams started a seven-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "(Everything I Do), I Do It For You"'; meanwhile, Jesus Jones rested at No. 2 with "Right Here, Right Now," unable to shift Bryan Adams from the No. 1 position.

1996 - "Wannabe" hit No. 1 in the U.K., making the Spice Girls the first all-female group to top the chart with their debut single.

1997 - The Men in Black soundtrack album started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart.

2006 - The company behind file-sharing service Kazaa agreed to pay record labels over $115 million in damages for piracy.

Birthdays:

Bassist Karl Mueller was born in Minneapolis today in 1962.

Juliana Hatfield is 51.

Pete Yorn is 44.

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