History highlight:

On this day in 1951, Jeffrey Ross Hyman — better known as Joey Ramone — was born in Queens, N.Y. Together with pals John Cummings and Douglas Colvin, he co-founded the punk rock band the Ramones. Colvin was already using the pseudonym Dee Dee Ramone, so the others also adopted stage names using "Ramone" as their surnames, so Jeff Hyman became Joey Ramone. The name "Ramone" was inspired by Paul McCartney, who briefly used the name "Paul Ramon" during 1960 and 1961, when the Beatles, still unknowns, did a tour of Ireland and used pseudonyms. The Ramones are often cited among the first to define the punk rock sound, and although they enjoyed only limited commercial success, the Ramones heavily influenced the 1970s punk movement in both the United States and United Kingdom. Recognition of the band's importance developed over time, and they are now considered among rock's all-time greats; as such, the Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Also, today in: 

1962 - Less than three months before her death, Marilyn Monroe made one of her last public appearances at President John F. Kennedy's 45th birthday celebration, where she famously sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" in his honor. 

1969 - The Beatles' single "Get Back" was certified Gold by the RIAA. Selling more than a million copies, "Get Back" hit No. 1 in the U.S. within a week of its release. 

1973 - Stevie Wonder went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life," a song inspired by his wife (and sometimes co-writer) Syreeta Wright. The song earned Wonder a Grammy award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. 

1973 - "Kodachrome," a big hit for Paul Simon, was released. 

1976 - Billy Joel released his fourth studio album, Turnstiles. It features the singles "Say Goodbye to Hollywood," "Prelude/Angry Young Man," and "New York State of Mind."

1976 - Keith Richards smashed his Bentley into a highway divider in Newton Pagnell, England, a town about 50 miles north of London. Police discovered a few substances in his vehicle, and Richards was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana. 

1978 - Dire Straits released their first major label single, "Sultans Of Swing," recorded on a £120 budget — about $180. 

1979 - Supertramp went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Breakfast In America, the group's only U.S. No. 1. It featured three Billboard hit singles: "The Logical Song," "Goodbye Stranger" and "Take the Long Way Home." 

1986 - Peter Gabriel released his fifth studio album, So. It features the singles "Sledgehammer," "Don't Give Up," "Big Time," "In Your Eyes," and "Red Rain."

1986 - Belinda Carlisle released her debut studio album, Belinda. It features the singles "Mad About You," "I Feel the Magic," and "Band of Gold."

1988 - James Brown was arrested for the fifth time in 12 months, following a car chase near his home. Brown was charged with assault, resisting arrest and being in charge of illegal weapons, and was given a six-year jail sentence. 

1990 - Madonna started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Vogue.” Originally planned as a B-side, it became the singer's eighth U.S. No. 1 and seventh U.K. No. 1 hit. 

1992 - Material Issue released their second studio album, Destination Universe. It features the singles "What Girls Want," "Destination Universe," and "Next Big Thing."

1992 - Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut studio album, Some Gave All. It features the singles "Achy, Breaky Heart," "Could've Been Me," "Wher'm I Gonna Live?," and "She's Not Cryin' Anymore."

1993 - The Roots released their debut studio album, Organix. It features the singles "Pass the Popcorn," "Good Music," and "The Session."

1997 - Backstreet Boys released "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," their breakthrough single in the U.S. 

1998 - Rufus Wainwright released his debut studio album, Rufus Wainwright. It features the singles "April Fools," "Baby," and "Imaginary Love."

1998 - Natalie Merchant released her second studio album, Ophelia. It features the singles "Kind & Generous," "Break Your Heart," and "Life Is Sweet."

1998 - DMX released his debut studio album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. It features the singles "Get at Me Dog," "Stop Being Greedy," "Ruff Ryders’ Anthem," and "How’s It Goin’ Down."

1998 - Calexico released their second studio album, The Black Light. It features the singles "The Black Light," "Minas de Cobre," and "Gypsy's Curse."

1998 - Sonny and Cher got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For Sonny, who died January 5, 1998, it was a posthumous honor. 

2001 - Mike Sammes, founder of the Mike Sammes Singers, died at age 73. He worked with Tom Jones, Cliff Richard and featured on The Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus” and “The Long And Winding Road.” 

2007 - At Porter Wagoner's 50th anniversary celebration at the Grand Ole Opry, Dolly Parton sings "I Will Always Love You" to Wagoner, whom she wrote the song about in 1974. 

2009 - The first episode of the TV series Glee aired, featuring the glee club’s performance of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin,'" which brought the song back to the charts. The Glee version landed at No. 4, five spots higher than Journey's original. 

2010 - David Guetta's "Gettin' Over You" becomes the billionth track to be Shazamed. 

2016 - John Berry, a founding member of the Beastie Boys, died at the age of 52. In 1978, Berry originally formed the four-piece hardcore punk band, the Young Aborigines, who later became the Beastie Boys. 

2018 - Reggie Lucas died aged 65. Lucas is best-known for having produced the majority of Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album, and for playing with Billy Paul and Miles Davis's electric band in the first half of the 1970s. 

2023 - The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke died at the age of 59 in New York City.

Birthdays: 

Herbie Flowers, bassist in T. Rex and session musician, was born today in 1938. He died in 2024.

Mickey Newbury, who wrote the Kenny Rogers and the First Edition hit "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," was born today in 1940.

Pete Townshend is 80.

Grace Jones is 77.

Dusty Hill of ZZ Top was born today in 1949. 

Joey Ramone was born today in 1951. 

AC/DC drummer Philip Rudd is 71.

Martyn Ware of Human League and Heaven 17 is 79.

Stuart Cable, drummer for Stereophonics, was born today in 1970. 

Jenny Berggren of Ace of Base is 53. 

Shooter Jennings is 46.

Yo Gotti is 43.

Michael Angelakos, frontman of Passion Pit, is 38.

Sam Smith is 33. Sam has won four Grammy awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album, for In the Lonely Hour and Song of the Year for "Stay with Me." They also co-wrote and performed "Writing's on the Wall," the theme song to Spectre, the 24th James Bond film. Though Smith hasn't been on this Earth as long as most of our artists featured in history highlights, they've garnered mega-success on the U.K. and U.S. charts. Fun fact: Smith is the third cousin of singer Lily Allen and actor Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy of Game of Thrones). 

Marshmello is 33.

Jojo Siwa is 22.

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