Birthday Highlights:

Isaac Brock (born July 9, 1975) is 50 today. Brock is best known as the lead singer, songwriter, guitarist and banjoist for the indie rock band Modest Mouse, as well as his side project band, Ugly Casanova. As a songwriter, he is noted for his wordplay and frequent use of metaphors, philosophical lyrics, themes of oppressive rural lifestyles, and certain phrases and sayings commonly used in the early to mid-20th century and in blue-collar environments.

Jack White (born John Gillis) was also born on July 9, 1975, so he too is 50. White rose to prominence as part of the garage-rock duo White Stripes, who released six albums in a sensational run that concluded in 2011. Following that project, White launched a solo career that has seen him release six solo albums to date, his most recent being the acclaimed 2024 album, No Name. In addition to his work as a performing artist, White operates the record label and studio Third Man Records, and he has also worked as a music producer for television and film.

Also, Today In:

1954 - Elvis Presley recorded "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (the B-side for his first single) at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tenn. Presley had recorded the A-side "That's Alright" four days earlier.

1955 - Bill Haley & His Comets went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Rock Around The Clock," staying at No. 1 for eight weeks and becoming one of the biggest selling singles of all time.

1956 - Following a June 30 riot at a rock concert featuring Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers in Asbury Park, N.J., Bill Haley and His Comets were denied permission to play at the Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City. A city ordinance was passed that read: "Rock and roll music encourages juvenile delinquency and inspires young females in lewd bathing suits to perform obscene dances on the city's beaches."

1958 - Johnny Cash signed to Columbia Records, where he remained for the next 30 years and released more than 60 albums.

1962 - Bob Dylan recorded "Blowin' In the Wind" at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City during an afternoon session.

1977 - Elvis Costello quit his job at Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics to become a full-time musician.

1983 - The Police started an eight-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Every Breath You Take."

1985 - Aretha Franklin released her 30th studio album, Who’s Zoomin’ Who? It features “Freeway of Love” and “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.”

1988 - Cheap Trick went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "The Flame," the group's only U.S. No. 1.

1991 - The Geto Boys released their third album, We Can’t Be Stopped. It features “Mind Playing Tricks on Me.”

1995 - The Grateful Dead gave their last concert with leader Jerry Garcia at Chicago's Soldier Field.

1996 - Soul Coughing released their second studio album, Irresistible Bliss. It features “Super Bon Bon,” “Soundtrack to Mary,” and “Soft Serve.”

1996 - Prince released his 18th album, Chaos and Disorder. It features “Dinner with Delores.”

1999 - Elton John had a pacemaker fitted in an operation at a London hospital following reports about his ill health.

2001 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs released their self-titled debut EP. It features “Mystery Girl” and “Bang.”

2002 - Red Hot Chili Peppers released their eighth studio album, By the Way. It features "By the Way," "The Zephyr Song," "Can't Stop," and "Universally Speaking."

2004 - David Bowie was forced to cancel a string of European shows after emergency heart surgery.

2010 - During a Santana concert at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois, Carlos Santana proposed to his drummer and girlfriend, Cindy Blackman, who had just finished a drum solo during the band's set. The couple married in December 2010.

2013 - Lauryn Hill began a three-month prison sentence in Connecticut for tax evasion.

2014 - John Spinks, guitarist and songwriter for the Outfield, died at the age of 60.

2019 - After years of animosity that kept Ann and Nancy Wilson apart, Heart regrouped for their Love Alive tour, which kicked off with a show in St. Louis. The support acts included an amazing female lineup: Joan Jett, Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile and Elle King.

2021 - Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis released their debut studio album, Jam & Lewis: Volume One. The album contains guest appearances, including Sounds of Blackness, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Babyface, Heather Headley, Charlie Wilson, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and Morris Day, Jerome and the Roots.

2021 - Vince Staples released his self-titled fourth studio album. It features “Are You With That?”

Birthdays:

Cowboy singer Eddie Dean (“One Has My Name [The Other Has My Heart]”) was born today in 1907.

Ed Ames (“My Cup Runneth Over”) was born today in 1927.

Lee Hazlewood was born today in 1929. He passed away in 2007.

Bluegrass musician Jesse McReynolds was born today in 1929.

AC/DC's first singer Bon Scott was born today in 1946. He passed away in 1980.

Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was born today in 1947.

John Tesh (“Roundball Rock” from NBA on NBC) is 73.

Debbie Sledge of Sister Sledge is 71.

Tom Hanks is 69.

Marc Almond, singer for Soft Cell, is 68.

Jim Kerr of Simple Minds is 66.

Courtney Love — born Courtney Michelle Harrison in San Francisco — is 61. Over her career, Love has made a name as the frontwoman for Hole and a Hollywood actress — as well as being Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s spouse. In the early 1980s, Love was briefly a vocalist for Faith No More. While living in Portland, Oregon, she met Kat Bjelland (who later fronted Babes in Toyland) and they formed a band for a short time called the Pagan Babies. Love and guitarist Eric Erlandson formed Hole in 1989, and the band has released four acclaimed studio albums. Love also released the 2004 solo album, America’s Sweetheart.

Frank Bello, bassist for Anthrax and Helmet, is 60.

Isaac Brock is 50.

Jack White is 50.

Jacob Hoggard of Hedley is 41.

Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief is 34.

Mandy Lee of Misterwives is 33.

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