Today is the 50th anniversary of the release of the self-titled debut by The New York Dolls, considered by many to be one of the most influential debut albums in rock music history. It includes songs like "Personality Crisis," "Looking for a Kiss," and "Trash.” The album, one of two by the short-lived original lineup, helped lay the foundation for the punk rock movement of the 1970s, along with bands like the Velvet Undergound and the Stooges.

History Highlight:

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 (formerly Standard Oil, later Exxon) 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. chart. 

1973 - The self-titled debut by the New York Dolls is released via Mercury Records (and produced by Todd Rundgren). The album spawns such glam/proto-punk classics as "Personality Crisis," "Looking for a Kiss," "Trash," and "Jet Boy." 

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. 

1976 - Later depicted in the movie What's Love Got to Do with It, Tina Turner files for divorce from her husband Ike. 

1981 - Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry releases her first solo album, KooKoo. Its highest charting single is "Backfired," which hits #43 in the US, but the album still sells over 500,000 copies. 

1984 - On this day 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. 

1984 - Metallica release their second album, Ride The Lightning, via Megaforce Records. It is reissued a short time later when they sign to Elektra Records. 

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." 

1987 Rick Astley's first single, "Never Gonna Give You Up," is released in America. It climbs to #1 in March 1988, and in 2008 becomes the basis for the Rickrolling trend. 

1990 - Bobby Day died of cancer at age 60. Born Robert James Byrd in 1930, he is best known for his hit record "Rockin' Robin". He recorded under numerous other names such as The Jets, The Voices, The Sounds, The Crescendos, and he was the original "Bob" in the duo Bob & Earl with singer Earl Nelson.  

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. 

2007 The Simpsons Movie debuts. Early in the film, Green Day sink into Lake Springfield. 

2013 - At Gillette Stadium in Boston, Taylor Swift brings out Carly Simon to sing with her on "You're So Vain," which like many of Swift's hits, takes aim at a famous ex. Swift claims that backstage after the show, Simon whispered in her ear the identity of the man she was singing about in "Vain." 

2021 - Dusty Hill of ZZ Top dies at 72, ending a 51-year run where the band's lineup was always Hill, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard. 

Birthdays: 

Andy White was born today in 1930. He was affectionately christened 'the fifth Beatle' as he was best known for replacing Ringo Starr on drums on The Beatles' first single, 'Love Me Do'. He passed away in 2015. 

Bobbie Gentry is 81. 

Conway Savage of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds was born today in 1960. He passed away in 2018. 

Soul Asylum bassist Karl Mueller was born in Minneapolis today in 1962. He passed away in 2005. 

Pantera bassist Rex Brown is 59. 

Juliana Hatfield is 56. 

Pete Yorn is 49. 

Highlights for Today in Music History are gathered from This Day in Music, Song Facts and Wikipedia.