History Highlight:

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. is 66. Born Jan. 4, 1960, in Decatur, Georgia, Stipe formed R.E.M. in 1980 with guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. The band released 15 studio albums, and have sold more than 90 million albums worldwide. R.E.M. were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and disbanded in 2011. In addition to being a compelling frontman and lyricist, Stipe is a talented visual artist and director.

Also, in:

1936 - Billboard Magazine introduced the first ever-pop music chart that ranked records on national sales; big band violinist Joe Venuti was the first No. 1.

1954 - Elvis Presley made his second visit to the Memphis recording service and cut two songs: "Casual Love Affair" and "I'll Never Stand In Your Way". Studio boss Sam Phillips asked Presley to leave his phone number.

1967 - The Doors released their self-titled debut album The Doors. It features the breakthrough single "Light My Fire" and the lengthy song "The End" with its spoken word section. The Doors credit the success of the album to being able to work the songs out live at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood and the London Fog nightclub on the Sunset Strip. The original album has sold 20 million copies, and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

1967 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience played the first of what would be over 240 gigs this year when they appeared at the Bromel Club in Bromley, London.

1969 - Jimi Hendrix was banned from the BBC after going off-script when he and his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, appeared on the show "Happening for Lulu", hosted by the "To Sir With Love" singer Lulu.

1973 - The Allman Brothers Band announced that Lamar Williams would replace the late Berry Oakley on bass.

1975 - Elton John started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with his version of The Beatles' "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". His third U.S. No. 1, the song featured John Lennon on guitar.

1980 - The Romantics released their debut album, The Romantics. It features the hit “What I Like About You.”

1983 - Eurythmics released their second studio album, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). It features the singles "This Is the House," "The Walk," "Love Is a Stranger," and "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)."

1986 - Thin Lizzy bassist and singer Phil Lynott died of heart failure and pneumonia in Wiltshire, U.K. He was 36 years old.

1991 - Nirvana signed with Geffen Records. In September of that year, their album Nevermind was released.

2004 - Britney Spears had her surprise marriage annulled less than 55 hours after tying the knot at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas with childhood friend Jason Alexander.

2006 - The house where Johnny Cash lived for 35 years was bought by Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb.

2008 - Beyonce won a long-running legal wrangle over claims her hit song "Baby Boy" infringed the copyright of musician Jennifer Armour.

2010 - Lana Del Rey released her debut studio album, Lana Del Ray. It was removed from the market three months after its release.

2011 - Scottish singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty of Stealers Wheel passed away.

2016 - Australian-born music and film producer Robert Stigwood passed away at age 81. He was best known for managing Cream and the Bee Gees, theatrical productions like Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar and film productions including Grease and Saturday Night Fever.

2020 - Miley Cyrus reached a settlement in the $300 million copyright infringement lawsuit that accused the singer of stealing her 2013 hit 'We Can't Stop.' The lawsuit, filed in 2018, was made by Jamaican songwriter Michael May, who alleged that 'We Can't Stop' replicated his 1988 track 'We Run Things.'

2020 - Mariah Carey becomes the first artist to top the Hot 100 in four different decades when "All I Want For Christmas Is You" stays at #1 for a third week.

2021 - Steve Earle & The Dukes released the studio album J.T.. It features the singles "Harlem River Blues," "Champagne Corolla," "The Saint of Lost Causes," "I Don't Care," and "Last Words." The album is dedicated to Earle’s son Justin Townes Earle.

Birthdays:

Soul singer Arthur Conley was born today in 1946.

John McLaughlin of Mahavishnu Orchestra is 84.

Bernard Sumner was born on this day in 1956, making him 70 today. Sumner is best-known for the bands he founded (Joy Division in 1976 and New Order in 1980) but has participated in other projects as well. Sumner was an early force in several areas, including the post-punk, synthpop, and techno music scenes, as well as their various related genres, and was an early influence on the Manchester music scene that presaged the "Madchester" movement of the late 1980s centered on Factory Records and The Haçienda club in Manchester. In late 2020, he chatted with Jill Riley about new music and recovering from COVID-19. Luckily, he beat it!

Wilco's Nels Cline is 70.

Country musician Patty Loveless is 69.

The Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan is 61.

Beth Gibbons, singer and lyricist of Portishead, is 61.

Country musician Deana Carter is 60.

Justin Townes Earle was born today in 1982.

Katie Crutchfield, who performs as Waxahatchee, is 37.

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