History Highlight:

Today in 1976, Elton John and Kiki Dee were at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," giving Elton his sixth U.S. No. 1. The song was written by Elton John with Bernie Taupin under the pseudonyms "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche", which was apparently a pun on the expression "an horse and cart, blanche". Fun fact: In 1977, John guest starred on The Muppet Show and performed the track with Miss Piggy.

Also, Today In:

1957 - The Quarry Men played at the Cavern Club in Liverpool (without Paul McCartney who was away at Boy Scout summer camp). The Cavern was still a jazz club, but skiffle was tolerated, but when John Lennon dared to play '"Hound Dog" and "Blue Suede Shoes," the club owner sent a note to the stage that read, "Cut out the bloody rock!"

1964 - Reviews for the Beatles' first film A Hard Day's Night were mixed. Time summed it up as "the Beatles blow it." On the other hand, The Los Angeles Herald called it "amusing and engaging."

1965 - Herman's Hermits went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "I'm Henry VIII I Am." The single was only released in the U.S.

1965 - Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" was released in a "popified" version by the Turtles, featuring choral "No! No! No!" refrains in the backing vocals.

1971 - The Bee Gees started a four-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart." It was the group's tenth U.S. hit and first No. 1. The Bee Gees-penned song was originally offered to Andy Williams, but ultimately the Bee Gees recorded it themselves; it was also later covered by soul singer Al Green.

1982 - Fleetwood Mac started a five-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with "Mirage," the band's third U.S. No. 1.

1987 - A landmark lawsuit against Ozzy Osborne was dismissed by an Los Angeles judge. It had been contended by the parents of a teen who committed suicide that an Ozzy song, "Suicide Solution," had compelled him.

1997 - Garth Brooks played to the largest crowd ever in New York's Central Park. An estimated 1 million people attended the live concert with an additional 14.6 million viewing live on HBO.

2007 - Lily Allen had her U.S. work visa cancelled after arriving at Los Angeles airport. The 22-year-old, who was due to tour America in September, had flown in for the MTV Video Music Awards launch. She was held at the airport for five hours in connection with an arrest for an alleged assault in London in June. After questioning, Allen was permitted to enter the U.S. on a tourist visa until the legal matter was resolved.

2008 - The Police wrapped up their reunion tour at New York's Madison Square Garden. Their first tour since 1986, it lasts 151 shows and finishes as the third highest-grossing of all time.

2008 - Elvis Presley's peacock jumpsuit, was sold at auction for $300,000, making it the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia ever sold at an auction. The white outfit with a plunging V-neck and high collar featured a blue-and-gold peacock design, hand-embroidered on the front and back and along the pant legs.

2011 - Marshall Grant, who played bass for Johnny Cash in the Tennessee Two from 1954 to 1980, passed away at the age of 83.

2012 - Madonna played a concert in Moscow during which she expressed support for the group Pussy Riot, who have been jailed for performing their song "Mother Of God, Putin's Run" in a Moscow cathedral.

Birthdays:

Singer B.J. Thomas is 77.

Rodney Crowell is 69.

Dez Dickerson is 64.

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden is 61.

Jacquie O'Sullivan of Bananarama is 59.

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