History Highlight:

Today in 1985, The Jets — from Robbinsdale, Minnesota — released their self-titled debut studio album. Composed of eight siblings whose parents, Maikeli "Mike" and Vaké Wolfgramm, were originally from Tonga in the South Pacific, the band that would become known as the Jets got its start performing Polynesian music at Hawaiian-themed hotels in the Midwest. When that hotel chain shuttered, the Wolfgramms remained in Minnesota and learned that record execs, inspired by Prince’s sound, were looking for other pop acts from the Minneapolis area. Former Motown producer Don Powell took the Wolfgramms under his wing, and he gave them their band name after hearing Elton John’s song “Bennie and the Jets” on the radio. The Jets’ first album was recorded in Minneapolis and in Los Angeles, and Prince collaborators Dr. Fink, St. Paul Peterson and David Rivkin were among the studio musicians to play on the album. After the album’s release, the Jets got airplay on radio stations and on MTV, VH1 and BET. The album The Jets features the singles “Curiosity,” “Private Number,” “Crush on You” and “You Got It All” — with the latter two each peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album itself peaked at No. 21 in the U.S. album chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Also, Today In:

1957 - Although it was banned by some U.S. radio stations for its suggestive lyrics, The Everly Brothers had their first No.1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Wake Up Little Susie.”

1968 - The Jackson Five made their national TV debut on ABC's Hollywood Palace.

1969 - Police in New Jersey issued a warrant for the arrest of Frank Sinatra in relation to his connections with the Mafia.

1972 - Michael Jackson went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Ben." The song was Jackson's first U.S. No. 1 solo hit; he was 14 years old at the time.

1975 - Art Garfunkel released his second solo studio album, Breakaway. It features “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “Break Away,” and “My Little Town.”

1977 - David Bowie released his twelfth studio album, Heroes.

1977 - Bing Crosby dies of a heart attack after finishing a round of golf in Spain, at age 74.

1980 - Earth, Wind & Fire released their 10th studio album, Faces. It features “Let Me Talk,” “You,” “Back on the Road,” and “And Love Goes On.”

1981 - Prince released his fourth studio album, Controversy. It features the singles "Controversy," "Sexuality," "Let's Work," and "Do Me, Baby."

1983 - Lionel Richie released his second solo studio album, Can't Slow Down. It features the singles "All Night Long (All Night)," "Running with the Night," "Hello," "Stuck on You," and "Penny Lover."

1985 - INXS released their fifth studio album, Listen Like Thieves. It features “What You Need,” “This Time,” “Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain),” and the title track.

1986 - Wang Chung released their fourth studio album, Mosaic. It features the singles "Everybody Have Fun Tonight," "Let's Go!," and "Hypnotize Me."

1988 - Def Leppard became the first act in chart history to sell seven million copies of two consecutive LPs, with Pyromania (released in 1983) and Hysteria, (released in 1987 and which became the band's best-selling album to date, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide, and spawning six hit singles).

1989 - Mötley Crüe started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Dr. Feelgood.

1990 - Renowned American composer, pianist and conductor Leonard Bernstein died of pneumonia. He composed music for the 1954 crime drama On the Waterfront and for the 1957 musical West Side Story. Bernstein conducted the New York Philharmonic at age 25. He wrote three symphonies, two operas, five musicals, and numerous other pieces.

1996 - Madonna gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Lourdes. The father is her personal trainer, Carlos Leon.

1997 - Green Day released their fifth studio album, Nimrod. It features the singles "Hitchin' a Ride," "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," "Redundant," and "Nice Guys Finish Last."

1997 - LL Cool J released his seventh studio album, Phenomenon. It features the singles "Phenomenon," "4, 3, 2, 1," "Father," "Hot, Hot, Hot," and "Candy."

1997 - The Promise Ring released their second studio album, Nothing Feels Good. It features the singles "Why Did Ever We Meet," "B Is for Bethlehem," and "Red & Blue Jeans."

2000 - The Beatles' official autobiography Anthology hit No. 1 on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list.

2002 - The Libertines released their debut studio album, Up the Bracket. It features the singles "Up the Bracket," "Time for Heroes," "I Get Along," and "What a Waster."

2004 - Eric Clapton was suspended from driving in France after being caught speeding at 134 mph in his Porsche 911 Turbo in the countryside south of Dijon. He was given a fine and his U.K. license was confiscated. After paying his fine, Clapton posed for photographs with the local gendarmes and then left the scene in his Porsche; his secretary was behind the wheel.

2006 - Freddy Fender died of complications from lung cancer at the age of 69. Fender is known for the hits "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" (U.S. No. 1 in 1975) and "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights."

2006 - Opening for Rascal Flatts at Madison Square Garden, Eric Church went off-kilter, playing "Crazy Train" and staying on stage past his allotted time. He was kicked off the tour and replaced by a talented newcomer named Taylor Swift.

2008 - Ray LaMontagne released his third studio album, Gossip in the Grain. It features the singles "You Are the Best Thing," "Let It Be Me," and "Meg White."

2008 - Illustrator and rock cartoonist Ray Lowry died. He contributed illustrations for NME, Punch, Private Eye and The Guardian and designed the artwork for The Clash album London Calling.

2009 - Paul McCartney was named Songwriter of The Year at the 29th Annual ASCAP Awards in London, England. The awards presentation honored songwriters and publishers of the most performed works in the U.S. during 2008.

2011 - Chuck Ruff (drummer for Edgar Winter Group and Sammy Hagar) died in San Francisco, California, after a lengthy illness at age 60.

2011 - After 27 years of marriage, Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth announced they were breaking up.

2014 - Isaiah "Ikey" Owens the American keyboardist known for his work with The Mars Volta, Jack White and an array of bands from the Long Beach music scene died aged 39.

2014 - Pop singer Kesha filed a civil lawsuit against her longtime producer, Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald), in a bid to be released from her contract. She cited years of physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of the producer, who denied all charges.

2016 - Kings of Leon released their seventh studio album, Walls. It features the singles "Waste a Moment," "Reverend," "Around the World," "Walls," and "Find Me."

2020 - Post Malone won nine awards including top artist at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. While many artists performed in person, there was no live audience.

Birthdays:

Singer, dancer, and civil rights activist Joyce Bryant, who enjoyed a string of hits in the 1950s including “Love for Sale” and “Drunk with Love,” was born today in 1927.

R&B singer Robert Parker, known for his big hit song “Barefootin’”, was born today in 1930.

Country singer Melba Montgomery, who sang duets with George Jones, Gene Pitney and Charlie Louvin and enjoyed a No. 1 hit of her own with 1974’s “No Charge,” was born today in 1938.

British singer and actor Cliff Richard is 85.

Justin Hayward, frontman for the Moody Blues, is 79.

Dan McCafferty, frontman for Nazareth, was born today in 1946.

Marcia Barrett of Boney M is 77.

Thomas Dolby, best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science" and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", is 67.

Karyn White (“Romantic”) is 60.

Jay Ferguson of Sloan is 57.

Natalie Maines of The Chicks is 51. Born in Lubbock, Texas, Maines’ father is an Austin City Limits Hall of Fame musician and producer, which seemed to predispose Natalie Maines to a career in music. After nearly completing her studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1995, Maines was invited to audition to replace the lead singer of the band now known as the Chicks. Since Maines joined the group, the Chicks have released five studio albums, the most recent being 2020’s Gaslighter, and they have won eight Grammy Awards.

Usher is 47.

Madison Cunningham is 29.

Highlights for Today in Music History are gathered from This Day in Music, Song Facts, Rediscover The 80s and Wikipedia.