History highlight:
Today in 1994, Beastie Boys released their fourth studio album, Ill Communication. Combining punk, hip-hop, psychedelia, and jazz influences, the record features a mix of live instrumentation and sampling. The lead single “Sabotage” arrived with an action flick video directed by Spike Jonze that was an immediate hit on MTV. Rappers Q-Tip (“Get It Together”) and Biz Markie (“Do It”) are guest vocalists that add to the album’s eclectic stew of sounds. Ill Communication was named one of the best albums of the year by several publications, and is often cited as a top album of the ‘90s.

Also, today in: 

1964 - The Dave Clark Five made their North American television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, where they performed "Glad All Over.” They would later make 18 more appearances on the show — more than any other rock band. 

1966 - Filming began on the Monkees’ first TV series. The band’s first single, "Last Train to Clarksville," was released in August 1966, just weeks before their TV broadcast debut.  

1968 - Working on what would become The White Album, the Beatles added overdubs of bass and vocals on "Revolution." As they added numerous overdubs, the final six minutes of the song evolved into chaotic jamming, with Lennon repeatedly shouting "all right" and Yoko Ono speaking random phrases.  

1976 - The Who entered the Guinness Book of World Records for performing the loudest concert in history. Their concert at England's Charlton Athletic Grounds had reached 76,000 watts at 120 decibels. This record would stand for nearly a decade. 

 1976 - Steely Dan released their fifth studio album, The Royal Scam. It features the singles "Kid Charlemagne" and "The Fez."

1977 - The BBC announced a ban on the new Sex Pistols single "God Save The Queen," saying it was "in gross bad taste.” 

1980 - Lipps Inc. went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Funkytown." The disco hit was also a No. 1 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Australia and the Netherlands. It reached No. 2 in the U.K. It was written by musician, composer, and record producer Steven Greenberg and sung by Cynthia Johnson. Fun fact: Greenberg reportedly wrote the song while the band was living in Minneapolis and harboring dreams of moving to New York. 

1982 - I.R.S. Records announced it had signed the Athens, Georgia-based quartet R.E.M., with news of the band’s forthcoming debut EP, Chronic Town, to be released on August 24 of that year, along with plans for a full-length release to follow in 1983. 

1983 - Elton John released his seventeenth studio album, Too Low for Zero. It features the singles "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," "I'm Still Standing," and "Kiss the Bride."

1986 - Peter Gabriel scored his second solo U.K. No. 1 album with So, which featured featuring the singles "Sledgehammer" and a duet with Kate Bush called "Don't Give Up.” 

1994 - The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack arrived, featuring the Elton John songs “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

1998 - Geri Halliwell announced she had quit the Spice Girls, saying, "This is because of differences between us. I am sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best." 

2004 - PJ Harvey released her sixth studio album, Uh Huh Her.

2007 - Rihanna released her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad. It features the singles "Umbrella," "Shut Up and Drive," "Hate That I Love You," "Don't Stop the Music," and "Take a Bow" (from the reissue).

2008 - Death Cab For Cutie were at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with their sixth release Narrow Stairs. Four singles were released for the album: "I Will Possess Your Heart," "Cath...," "No Sunlight" and "Grapevine Fires." The song "I Will Possess Your Heart" reached No. 6 on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart; was named iTunes U.K. song of the year 2008; and was nominated for the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

2011 - My Morning Jacket released their sixth studio album, Circuital. It features the singles "Circuital" and "Holding on to Black Metal."

2011 - Death Cab for Cutie released their seventh studio album, Codes and Keys. It features the singles "You Are a Tourist," "Home Is a Fire," and "Stay Young, Go Dancing."

2011 - Eddie Vedder released his second studio album, Ukulele Songs. It features the singles "Longing to Belong" and "Sleeping by Myself."

2013 - Milky Chance released their debut studio album, Sadnecessary. It features the singles "Stolen Dance," "Down by the River," and "Flashed Junk Mind." (It was released in the U.S. on Oct. 14, 2014.)

2014 - A car and jewelry belonging to Miley Cyrus were stolen from her home in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. 

Birthdays:

Johnny Paycheck was born today in 1938.

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary was born today in 1938. He died on Jan. 7, 2025.

Augie Meyers — founding member of the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados — is 85. 

John Bonham, drummer for Led Zeppelin, was born today in 1948. 

Martin Hannett — producer for Joy Division, New Order, OMD, and Happy Mondays — was born today in 1948.

Mike Edwards, cellist for ELO, was born today in 1948. 

Karl Bartos of Kraftwerk is 73.

Vicki Sue Robinson (“Turn the Beat Around”) was born today in 1954.

Fritz Hilpert of Kraftwerk is 69.

Corey Hart — “Sunglasses at Night,” “Never Surrender” — is 63.

Wesley Willis was born today in 1963. 

Darryl "D.M.C." Matthews McDaniels is 61.

Jazz bassist Christian McBride is 53. 

Andrew John Hurley of Fall Out Boy is 45.

Waka Flocka Flame is 39.

Azealia Banks is 34.

Normani, of Fifth Harmony, is 29. 

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