History Highlight:

Today in 1926, Chuck Berry was born. Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive, with lyrics focusing on teen life and utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on the inception of rock music. Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986, with the comment that he "laid the groundwork for not only a rock and roll sound but a rock and roll stance." Berry died on March 18th, 2017 at age 90. 

Also, Today In: 

1957 - A young Paul McCartney made his first onstage appearance with The Quarrymen at New Clubmoor Hall Conservative Club in Liverpool. 

1964 - Eric Burdon and The Animals headlined their first tour in England. The tour began in Manchester with opening acts Carl Perkins and Gene Vincent. 

1967 - John Lennon, branching out from The Fabs, played a small but memorable role as "Gripweed" in Richard Lester's anti war black comedy, How I Won The War. The film premiered in London on this day. 

1968 - Led Zeppelin (briefly known as The New Yardbirds) played their first British engagement at the Marquee Theatre. 

1969 - The Temptations scored their second US No.1 single with 'Can't Get Next To You'. 

1975 - Simon And Garfunkel reunited on the second episode of Saturday Night Live to positive reviews and good ratings. 

2000 - American singer and actress Julie London died after suffering a stroke. She recorded 32 albums during her career, played the role of nurse Dixie McCall, in the television series Emergency! 

2000 - Rage Against The Machine lead singer Zack De La Rocha quits the politically charged rock outfit, releasing a statement saying, "Our decision-making process has completely failed. It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band, and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal." The other three members form Audioslave with Chris Cornell; Rage returns to action (with De La Rocha) in 2007. 

2005 - Madonna admitted that she wrote a groveling letter to ABBA asking to sample them on her latest single 'Hung Up.' The singer had to seek permission for 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' and became only the second act that ABBA had allowed to sample their work. 

2008 - Adele appeared on Saturday Night Live along with then U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The show earned its highest ratings in 14 years with a total of 17 million viewers. 

2008 - T.I. claims the top two spots on the Hot 100 with "Live Your Life" (featuring Rihanna) at #1, trailed by "Whatever You Like." 

2011 - The Stone Roses announce they are to reunite after a 15-year split. 

2013 - Paul McCartney gave an impromptu gig in Covent Garden, London to a crowd of more than 2,000 fans during the lunchtime rush. McCartney's latest solo album New was released in the same week. 

2013 - Rockabilly guitarist Roland Janes dies at age 80 after suffering a heart attack. 

Birthdays: 

Anita O'Day was born on this day in 1919. She passed away in 2006 

Gary Richrath guitarist for REO Speedwagon was born on this day 1949. He passed away in 2005. 

Drummer, vocalist and songwriter from the Doobie Brothers, Keith Knudson, was born on this day in 1952. He passed away in 2005. 

Peter Svensson of the Cardigans is 49. 

Ne-Yo is 44. 

Ben Schneider of Lord Huron is 39. 

Zac Efron is 36 

Esperanza Spalding is 39. 

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