History Highlight:

On this day in 1999, Sleater-Kinney released their fourth album, The Hot Rock. The record’s artistic departure from the punk style of their previous albums paid off, and was their first to chart on the Billboard 200. “Get Up” and “A Quarter to Three” were the two singles from the release, which was chosen by critics as one of the best albums of the year. The cover features members Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss photographed on the street in Portland, Oregon.

Also, Today In:

1963 - The Chiffons' "He's So Fine" appeared on the pop chart for the first time, on its way to No. 1. George Harrison was sued years later for unconsciously plagiarizing the melody for his "My Sweet Lord."

1968 - The Dock of the Bay, the first of a number of posthumously released Otis Redding albums, and his seventh studio album, is released. It contains a number of singles and B-sides dating back to 1965, as well as one of his best-known songs, the posthumous hit " The Dock of the Bay". 

1972 - After nearly five years of marriage, Priscilla Presley moved out of Elvis' California home and into a two-bedroom apartment near the Pacific Ocean. Their divorce would be finalized on Oct. 9, 1973.

1978 - Fleetwood Mac's Rumours won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

1979 - Dire Straits began their first North American tour.

1979 - Sex Pistols released the soundtrack album The Great Rock ’n’ Roll Swindle. It features the singles "C’mon Everybody," "Something Else," "Silly Thing," and "The Great Rock ’n’ Roll Swindle."

1980 - Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" reached No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it would hold that position for four consecutive weeks. The song was Queen's first No. 1 single in the United States. Queen frontman Freddy Mercury wrote the song as a tribute to Elvis Presley, and although Mercury typically composed music on the piano, he wrote "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" on guitar — and he did it in about five to 10 minutes. "It was quite a good thing because I was restricted, knowing only a few chords," Mercury told the press. "I couldn't work through too many chords and because of that restriction, I wrote a good song, I think."

1983 - Toto won six Grammys, including Album Of The Year for Toto IV, a record that included the hit singles "Africa" and "Rosanna."

1985 - Meat Is Murder by The Smiths went to No. 1 on the U.K. charts.

1985 - Stevie Wonder was arrested during an anti-apartheid demonstration outside the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.; he was released after being questioned by police.

1987 - Jody Watley released her debut studio album, Jody Watley. It features production and songwriting by André Cymone. The hit singles on the album include “Looking for a New Love” and “Dont You Want Me.”

1993 - Little Richard received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy award.

1993 - Goo Goo Dolls released their fourth studio album, Superstar Car Wash. It features the singles "We Are the Normal" featuring a songwriting assist from Paul Westerberg, "Fallin' Down," and "Cuz You're Gone."

1993 - Big Head Todd and the Monsters released their third studio album, Sister Sweetly. It features the singles "Broken Hearted Savior," "Bittersweet," and "Circle." The album was recorded at Paisley Park Studio in Chanhassen with producer David Z.

1993 - Naughty by Nature released their third studio album, 19 Naughty III. It features the singles "Hip Hop Hooray," "It's On," and "Written on Ya Kitten."

1995 - Melvin "Blue" Franklin (bass singer for The Temptations) died at age 52. Franklin had long suffered with rheumatoid arthritis and developed diabetes in the '80s.

1999 - Eminem dropped his first major-label album, The Slim Shady LP. He quickly became the most controversial rapper in the game.

1999 - TLC released their third album, FanMail. It was a huge seller thanks to the tracks "No Scrubs" and "Unpretty," but caused friction among the trio, as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes felt she was being cast aside. The title of the album is a tribute to their fans who sent them fan mail during their hiatus (there was a five year gap between their second and third albums).

1999 - The Roots released their fourth album, Things Fall Apart, featuring “You Got Me” feat. Erykah Badu.

1999 - Paul Westerberg released his third album, Suicane Gratification.

1999 - Lit released A Place in the Sun featuring “My Own Worst Enemy.”

1999 - Jimmy Eat World released their third album, Clarity.

2000 - Santana won nine Grammys, breaking Michael Jackson's record for number of Grammys taken in one night. Santana's awards included Album Of The Year for Supernatural, while "Smooth" won the Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year prizes.

2000 - Air released the score to The Virgin Suicides. It features “Playground Love.”

2003 - Nickel Creek won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album for the Alison Krauss-produced This Side.

2003 - Norah Jones emerged as the big winner at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards, earning five awards for her debut Come Away With Me and the single "Don't Know Why," including Best New Artist, Album Of The Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record Of The Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

2003 - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers bassist Howie Epstein died of complications due to drug use at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, NM. He was 47 years old.

2007 - Rockabilly singer Donnie Brooks died at age 71.

2010 - Joanna Newsom released her third studio album, Have One on Me. It features “81,” “Good Intentions Paving Company,” and the title track.

2010 - Holly Miranda released her second studio album, The Magician’s Private Library.

2010 - Johnny Cash’s posthumous album American VI: Ain't No Grave was released.

2011 - Beady Eye released their debut studio album, Different Gear, Still Speeding. It features the singles "Bring the Light," "Four Letter Word," "The Roller," "Millionaire," and "The Beat Goes On."

2019 - Ariana Grande becomes the first solo artist to hold the top three spots on the Hot 100 in the same week, a feat previously accomplished only by The Beatles. The songs: #1: "7 Rings" #2: "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" #3: "Thank U, Next"

Birthdays:

Blues guitarist and singer Johnny Winter was born on this day in 1944.

Brad Whitford of Aerosmith is 73.

Howard Jones is 70.

David Sylvain, frontman for Japan, is 67.

Rob Collins of The Charlatans was born today in 1963.

John Norum, cofounder of Europe, is 61.

Chris Vrenna, former drummer for Nine Inch Nails, is 58.

Lars-Olof Johansson of The Cardigans is 52.

Skylar Grey is 39.

Ab-Soul is 38.

Theophilus London is 38.

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