History Highlight:

On this day in 1984, Prince and The Revolution released the Purple Rain album five weeks before the premiere of the film. The album is the first of Prince's that features the billing of his band the Revolution, and it was his first album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album spent 24 consecutive weeks on the top of the Billboard 200 and was present on the chart for a total of 122 weeks. You know and love so many hits from the album including "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy," "Purple Rain," "I Would Die 4 U," and "Take Me with U." Last year, on the 40th anniversary of the album’s release, Andrea Swensson released the book Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years.

Also, Today In:

1966 - The Beatles started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Paperback Writer," the group's 12th U.S. No. 1 single.

1967 - During a North American tour, the Jimi Hendrix Experience gave a free afternoon concert in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

1967 - The Beatles recorded "All You Need Is Love" live on the Our World program, the first live-via-satellite global television broadcast in history. The program featured contributions from multiple countries, and the BBC commissioned a song from The Beatles as the U.K.'s contribution. While the band sang live to a pre-recorded backing track on the broadcast, some of the vocals were re-recorded in the studio prior to the single's release.

1977 - Marvin Gaye went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Got To Give It Up," his third U.S. No. 1 single.

1981 - Sugarhill Gang released their second studio album, 8th Wonder. It features the title track and “Apache.”

1982 - Joe Jackson released his fifth studio album, Night and Day. It features “Steppin’ Out” and “Breaking Us in Two.”

1982 - Robert Plant released his first solo album, Pictures at Eleven.

1983 - The film soundtrack to Flashdance started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart.

1988 - Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist and founding member Hillel Slovak died due to a heroin overdose.

1988 - Debbie Gibson went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Foolish Beat," making Debbie, at age 17, the youngest female to write, produce and record a U.S. No. 1 single.

1991 - Bonnie Raitt released her 11th studio album, Luck of the Draw. It features “Something to Talk About,” “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and “Not the Only One.”

1993 - Bruce Springsteen was a surprise guest on David Letterman's final show as host of NBC's Late Night.

1993 - Nora Ephron's romantic comedy "Sleepless In Seattle", starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, opened in theaters. With songs from Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Harry Connick, Jr., the movie spawned a hit soundtrack and renewed interest in standards.

1996 - Screaming Trees released their seventh studio album, Dust. It features “All I Know.”

1996 - Jay-Z released his debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt. It features “Can’t Knock the Hustle.”

2001 - Basement Jaxx released their second studio album, Rooty. It features “Romeo” and “Where’s Your Head At.”

2002 - Nelly released his second studio album, Nellyville. It features “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma.”

2002 - Sonic Youth released their 12th studio album, Murray Street.

2002 - Maroon 5 released their debut studio album, Songs About Jane. It features “This Love” and “She Will Be Loved.”

2009 - Michael Jackson died at the age of 50, after suffering heart failure at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif.

2014 - Amnesty International apologized to Iggy Pop after it had used an image of the singer in an anti-torture campaign without his permission.

2014 - Beyonce and Jay-Z kicked off their On The Run tour with a show in Miami, with the couple co-headlining. The tour was one of the most profitable ever on a per-show basis, averaging over $5 million per concert. The joint tour came after the two had finished their own solo tours in 2013 and 2014 and the tour is named from Jay-Z's 2013 song "Part II (On the Run)", which features Beyonce. The tour grossed $96 million in the first 19 North American shows and $109.7 million in total and the show was broadcast in its entirety on September 20, 2014 on HBO.

2016 - The Yellow Cloud guitar owned by Prince and said to be one of his favorites was bought at auction for $137,500 by the owner of the Indianapolis Colts. A lock of David Bowie's hair also sold for $18,750 at the same auction.

2021 - Lucy Dacus released her third studio album, Home Video. It features “Thumbs,” “Hot & Heavy,” “VBS,” and “Brando.”

2021 - Modest Mouse released their seventh studio album, The Golden Casket.

2021 - Faye Webster released her fourth studio album, I Know I’m Funny haha. It features “Better Distractions” and "A Dream with a Baseball Player."

2021 - The Marías released their debut studio album, Cinema. It features “Hush.”

2021 - The Mountain Goats released their 20th studio album, Dark in Here.

2021 - Pom Pom Squad released their debut studio album, Death of a Cheerleader.

2021 - Tyler, The Creator released his seventh studio album, Call Me If You Get Lost. It features “Lumberjack” and “WusYaName.”

Birthdays

Clifton Chenier — the legendary performer renowned as the “King of Zydeco” — was born today in 1925.

R&B singer Eddie Floyd (“Knock on Wood”) is 88.

Clint Warwick, bassist for the Moody Blues, was born today in 1940.

Carly Simon is 82.

Allen Lanier, of Blue Oyster Cult, was born today in 1946.

Ian McDonald, of King Crimson and Foreigner, was born today in 1946.

Tim Finn, of Split Enz and Crowded House, is 73.

David Paich — Toto singer, songwriter, and keyboardist — is 71.

George Michael was born today in 1963 and passed away on December 25, 2016.

John McCrea of Cake is 61.

Mario Calire, drummer from the Wallflowers, is 51.

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