History Highlight:

Today in 1978, The Jam released their third studio album, All Mod Cons. The album, which was written after The Jam endured a generally unsuccessful North American tour supporting their previous album This Is The Modern World and opening for Blue Öyster Cult, was written slightly under pressure — in fact, producer Chris Parry rejected The Jam frontman Paul Weller’s first batch of recorded songs. The extra time and effort paid off, however, and All Mod Cons was much more successful than its predecessor, both critically and commercially. The name of the album comes from a popular real-estate advertising abbreviation meaning “all modern conveniences” and naturally plays on The Jam’s role as part of the mod revival. All Mod Cons features the singles "'A' Bomb in Wardour Street" and "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight," as well as a cover of the Kinks’ song “David Watts,” which was actually sung by The Jam’s bassist Bruce Foxton rather than Weller because the song’s key was more suited to Foxton’s vocal range.

Also, Today In: 

1957 - Sun Records released "Great Balls Of Fire," by Jerry Lee Lewis. The single went on to sell more than five million copies worldwide, and was a No. 2 in the U.S., making it one of the world's best-selling singles of all time. 

1962 - The Crystals started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "He's A Rebel." 

1962 - The Crystals' "He's A Rebel" hits No. 1 for the first of two weeks. None of the actual group appears on the track, as Phil Spector uses Darlene Love to sing lead. The real Crystals learn about the song when they hear it on the radio. 

1962 - Billboard magazine drops the "Western" from its "Country and Western" chart title. 

1965 - The Beatles recorded "Michelle" at EMI Studios in London. The song went on to become one of the Beatles' most popular songs in France given that some of the lyrics are in French. 

1972 - Carly Simon and James Taylor got married, forming a musical power couple not seen until Jay-Z and Beyoncé tied the knot. Simon’s and Taylor’s marriage lasted 11 years. 

1977 - During a concert in London, Elton John announced his retirement from live performances. 

1979 - The Eagles started a nine-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with The Long Run, their fourth U.S. No. 1 album. 

1979 - Everybody's talkin' 'bout "Pop Muzik" by M hit No. 1 in the U.S. M is the British electro musician Robin Scott. 

1980 - ABBA released their seventh studio album, Super Trouper. It features the singles "The Winner Takes It All," "Super Trouper," "On and On and On," "Happy New Year," "Andante, Andante," and "Lay All Your Love on Me."

1985 - With hit songs like "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins and "Smuggler's Blues" by Glenn Frey, the Miami Vice TV soundtrack was the No. 1 album in America. 

1992 - Sade released their fourth studio album, Love Deluxe. It features the singles "No Ordinary Love," "Feel No Pain," "Kiss of Life," and "Cherish the Day."

1993 - Russian inventor Leon Theremin died. Theremin is best known for the electronic musical instrument that bears his name. He first performed the Theremin with the New York Philharmonic in 1928; in pop music, the Theremin features prominently in the Beach Boys' hit song, "Good Vibrations." 

1990 - "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice became the first rap record to top the U.S. singles chart. 

1990 - EMF released "Unbelievable" in the U.K. It was a big success, peaking at No. 3, but did even better when it released in the U.S., where it hit No. 1. 

1991 - A large crowd attended the free “Laughter, Love and Music,” concert at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which celebrated the life and work of Bill Graham. The 60-year-old concert promoter and impresario, who was instrumental in the rise of the ‘60s counterculture movement, was killed a week earlier in a helicopter crash. Many of the acts that Graham had supported performed at the memorial event, including the Grateful Dead, Santana, and a reunited Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. 

1992 - Bob Dylan released his twenty-eighth studio album, Good as I Been to You. It features traditional folk and blues covers including "Frankie & Albert," "Jim Jones," and "Blackjack Davey." 

1992 - Ned's Atomic Dustbin released their second studio album, Are You Normal?. It features the singles "Not Sleeping Around" and "Intact."

1992 - Bon Jovi released their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith. It features the singles "Keep the Faith," "Bed of Roses," "In These Arms," "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," "I Believe," and "Dry County."

1992 - Positive K released his debut studio album, The Skills Dat Pay da Bills. It features the singles "Nightshift," "I Got a Man," "Ain't No Crime," and "Carhoppers."

1995 - Hootie & the Blowfish settle out of court with Bob Dylan, who sees their lifting of lyrics from "Tangled Up In Blue" on their hit "Only Want To Be With You" as more plagiarism than tribute. 

1998 - Beck released his sixth studio album, Mutations. It features the singles "Tropicalia," "Cold Brains," and "Nobody's Fault but My Own."

1998 - Alanis Morissette released her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. It features the singles "Thank U," "Joining You," "So Pure," and "Unsent."

1998 - Pedro the Lion released their debut studio album, It's Hard to Find a Friend.

1998 - Juvenile released his third studio album, 400 Degreez. It features the singles "Ha," "Back That Azz Up," and "Follow Me Now."

2001 - Mary J. Blige's "Family Affair" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first of six weeks. It was the singer's first single to top the chart. 

2002 - Britain's "King of Skiffle," Lonnie Donegan, died of a heart attack in England. He was 71. Donegan greatly influenced the development of British rock 'n' roll; the Beatles and Led Zeppelin are among numerous artists who cite Donegan's influence.

2006 - Damien Rice released his second studio album, 9. It features the singles "9 Crimes," "Rootless Tree," and "Dogs."

2013 - The first ever YouTube awards were held in New York City. The event featured Eminem, Lady Gaga and M.I.A making live music videos directed by the awards' creator, Spike Jonze, and others. Eminem won Artist of the Year, while Taylor Swift's 'I Knew You Were Trouble' took the YouTube Phenomenon award. 

2015 - Months after 1000 singers and musicians in Cesena, Italy performs "Learn to Fly" in an effort to entice Foo Fighters to play there, the group complies, performing a concert in the city. 

2017 - Sam Smith released their second studio album, The Thrill of It All. It features the singles "Too Good at Goodbyes," "One Last Song," "Pray," and "Baby, You Make Me Crazy."

Birthdays: 

Mable John, the first female artist signed to Motown’s Tamla label, was born today in 1930.

John Barry — Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer of theme music for 11 James Bond Movies, Dances With Wolves, and many more — was born today in 1933.

Blues musician Sonny Rhodes was born today in 1940.

Folk singer Bert Jansch of Pentangle was born today in 1943.

Nick Simper, bassist for Deep Purple, is 80.

Scottish singer, actress and television personality, Lulu, is 77. She had major chart hits with "To Sir with Love" from the 1967 film of the same name, and with the title song to the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. In European countries, she is also widely known for the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 winning entry "Boom Bang-a-Bang", and for her 1964 hit "Shout".

Helios Creed of Chrome is 72. 

Adam Ant is 71.

Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree is 58.

Italian composer and record producer Robert Miles, whose 1995 instrumental release “Children” consistently ranks among the best dance tracks of all time, was born today in 1969.

Sticky Fingaz of Onyx is 52. 

Mick Thomson of Slipknot is 52. 

Jake Shimabukuro is 49.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against is 47.

Courtney Barnett is 38. We are lucky to have had her visit the station several times all the way from Australia and she played Rock the Garden twice — in 2015 and 2019. She was nominated for Best New Artist at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards and International Female Solo Artist at the 2016 Brit Awards, and she has released two solo records — 2015's Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit and 2018's Tell Me How You Really Feel along with her 2017 Lotta Sea Lice collaborative album with Kurt Vile. 

Stephen Sanchez is 23.

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