History Highlight:

On this day in 1995, Garbage released their self-titled debut album, adding a much-needed female voice (Shirley Manson) to the alternative rock scene. Initially, Wisconsin-based members Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig formed the group in 1993. Scotland-based Manson was invited to join the group after guitarist Marker saw a video for her former group, Angelfish, on MTV’s 120 Minutes. Hits from the album include "Queer," “Stupid Girl” — which features a sample from the Clash’s “Train in Vain” — and "Only Happy When It Rains." The album received high marks from critics and has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide.

Also, Today In: 

1960 - Elvis Presley started a five-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "It's Now Or Never." 

1965 - Fifty-six thousand people packed Shea Stadium in New York to see, and maybe even hear, the Beatles. At the time, it was the largest single audience on record to attend a pop concert. The Beatles were paid $160,000 for the show — an amount equivalent to more than $1.6 million in 2025 dollars.

1967 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience played a one-night-only show at The Fifth Dimension club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The club is now demolished. 

1969 - "Three Days Of Peace & Music," also known as The Woodstock Music & Arts Festival, began at Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, New York. More than 400,000 people attended, and 32 acts performed, including Joan Baez, Santana, Grateful Dead, CCR, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, The Band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jimi Hendrix. 

1975 - Rod Stewart released his sixth solo album, Atlantic Crossing. It features "Sailing" and "I Don't Want to Talk About It.”

1976 - ABBA released their enduring single, “Dancing Queen.” The song was an instant global hit, topping the charts across Europe, Mexico, Australia, and South Africa, among other territories. The dancefloor classic also became the Swedish group’s one and only No.1 hit in the U.S. 

1978 - Boston released their second studio album, Don’t Look Back. It features "Don't Look Back," "A Man I'll Never Be," and "Feelin' Satisfied."

1979 - Led Zeppelin released their eighth and final studio album, In Through The Out Door. It's the last album released by the band while drummer John Bonham was still alive. 

1980 - The Cars released their third studio album, Panorama. It features “Touch and Go.”

1980 - George Harrison published a semi-autobiographical book, "I, Me, Mine". Drawn from conversations Harrison had with Beatles biographer Derek Taylor, the book took its title from Harrison's song of the same name that appeared on the Beatles' Let It Be - the last song the Beatles recorded before their breakup. 

1991 - Paul Simon gave a free concert in Central Park, much as he had in 1981 with partner Art Garfunkel. It aired live on HBO and eventually became the album Paul Simon's Concert In The Park. 

1991 - Nirvana play a concert at The Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, where they invite fans to attend the shoot for their first video, "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Hundreds of fans show up at the shoot, which takes place two days later; many are turned away. 

1995 - The Chemical Brothers released their debut studio album, Exit Planet Dust, in the U.S. It features “Leave Home” and “Life Is Sweet.”

1995 - Blind Melon released their second studio album, Soup. It features “Galaxie.”

1995 - Southern Culture on the Skids released Dirt Track Date. It features “Camel Walk.”

1995 - Spanish pop duo Los del Rio release the single "Macarena" in the U.S. Inspired by a beautiful flamenco dancer, the song lights a fire in Miami beach clubs and spreads across the country, igniting the '90s hottest dance craze. 

1996 - A woman's shelter in Long Island, New York, turned down a donation from a benefit concert starring James Brown because of prior spousal abuse allegations. 

2000 - Wheatus released their self-titled debut album. It features “Teenage Dirtbag.”

2004 - At their Coventry Festival in the group's home state of Vermont, Phish play what they say is their last show, ending with the song "The Curtain With." The breakup proves temporary: in 2009, the band gets back together. 

2005 - Leonard Cohen files a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging that his former manager, Kelley Lynch, mismanaged his retirement funds to the tune of at least $5 million. The fraudulent activities purportedly began during the five years Leonard spent away from his career in seclusion at the Mt. Baldy Zen Center. 

2005 - The Rakes released their debut album, Capture/Release. It features “22 Grand Job” and “Strasbourg.”

2005 - Sly Stone comes out of a long seclusion to visit the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, where his little sister Vet headlines with the latest version of the Family Stone. 

2007 - Sixteen solo John Lennon albums were made available to download on iTunes for the first time. A deal was approved by Yoko Ono following a lengthy legal battle between the band's label Apple Corps and Apple Inc. 

2008 - Record producer Jerry Wexler, who influenced the careers of singers including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan died at his home in Sarasota, Florida aged 91. 

2009 - U2's first U.K. gig on their latest tour broke the attendance record for a Wembley Stadium concert. Over 88,000 people attended the show. 

2012 - Bob Birch died in his Los Angeles home, aged 56. He was a session musician or sideman with many groups including the Doobie Brothers, Bryan Adams, Lionel Richie, George Michael, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Phil Collins, Keith Emerson, Barry Manilow and Elton John. 

2014 - Kimbra released he second studio album, The Golden Echo. It features “90s Music,” “Miracle,” and “Goldmine.”

Birthdays: 

Today in 1896, Leon Theremin, inventor of the electronic instrument that bears his name, was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to official records given the calendar in use in Russia at the time of Theremin’s birth. After adjusting for the Gregorian calendar, August 28 can also be cited — a sort of second birthday for the inventor.

Oscar Peterson was born today in 1925.

Rose Maddox was born on this day in 1925.

Bill Pinkney of the Drifters was born today in 1925.

Bobby Helms, country music singer best known for his 1957 hit "Jingle Bell Rock," was born today in 1933. 

Mike Seeger — half-brother of Pete Seeger and folk musician — was born today in 1933.

Bobby Byrd of the Famous Flames was born today in 1934.

Stix Hooper, drummer for the Crusaders, is 87.

Peter York — drummer for the Spencer Davis Group — is 83.

Jimmy Webb (“Wichita Lineman,” “MacArthur Park”) is 79.

Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers is 77.

Tommy Aldridge — drummer for Black Oak Arkansas, Ozzy Osbourne, Thin Lizzy, and more — is 75.

Bobby Caldwell (“What You Won’t Do for Love”) was born today in 1951.

Chuck Burgi — drummer for Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, Meat Loaf, Diana Ross, and more — is 73.

Matt Johnson of The The is 64. 

Ted Dwane of Mumford & Sons is 41. 

David Welsh of The Fray is 41. 

Nipsey Hussle was born today in 1985.

Joe Jonas is 36. 

Chief Keef is 30.

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