Birthday Highlight:

Vernon Reid was born today in 1958, making him 60 today. He was the founder and primary songwriter of the Living Colour, founded in New York City in 1984. The band is probably best remembered for their signature anthem "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards and won their second Grammy Award for their follow-up album Time's Up. After disbanding in 1995, Living Colour reunited in late 2000.

Also, Today In:

1956 - Filming began on Love Me Tender, Elvis Presley's first movie.

1962 - The first photo of the Beatles (in the final four formation with Ringo on drums) was taken on August 22, 1962. The last was taken exactly seven years later, on August 22, 1969.

1964 - The Supremes started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Where Did Our Love Go",' the group's first No. 1.

1964 - The original "Dancing In The Streets," by Martha & The Vandellas, was released. It was later covered by Van Halen (and don't forget Mick Jagger and David Bowie).

1968 - Cynthia Powell Lennon, Julian's mother, sued John Lennon for divorce on the grounds that he'd committed adultery with Yoko Ono.

1968 - Ringo Starr quit The Beatles during The White Album sessions when the constant bickering and tension became too much for him. The news of Ringo's departure was kept secret, and he rejoined the sessions on September 3rd. After Ringo walked out, the remaining Beatles recorded "Back In the USSR", with Paul on drums and John playing bass.

1970 - Bread went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Make It With You", the group's only No. 1 hit, which was a No. 5 in the U.K.. Many artists have covered the song including: The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, Dusty Springfield, Andy Williams and Marc Cohn.

1970 - Creedence Clearwater Revival started a nine-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with their fifth studio album Cosmo's Factory. The name of the album comes from the warehouse in Berkeley where the band rehearsed. Bandleader John Fogerty was so insistent on practicing (nearly every day) that drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford began referring to the place as "the factory".

1978 - Sex Pistol Sid Vicious made his last live stage appearance when he appeared with Rat Scabies from The Damned, with former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock and Nancy Spungen at London's Electric Ballroom. In the audience was Elvis Costello, Blondie, Joan Jett, The Slits and Captain Sensible.

1979 - Led Zeppelin released In Through The Out Door. The record cover was one of the most expensive and elaborate covers ever produced (moisten the inside sleeve artwork and it turns colors).

1987 - Madonna went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Who's That Girl", her sixth US No.1 and also a No.1 in the UK. The track was from the soundtrack album of the motion picture of same name.

2009 - Soul singer Johnny Carter, who was a member of doo-wop groups The Dells and The Flamingos, died aged 75.

Birthdays:

John Lee Hooker was born today in 1917.

Roland Orzabal (Tears For Fears) is 57.

Tori Amos is 55.

Wu-Tang Clan rapper GZA (aka The Genius) is 52.

Howie D of the Backstreet Boys is 45.

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