History Highlight:

Today in 1990, Minneapolis punk/grunge band Babes in Toyland released their debut studio album, Spanking Machine. The album was recorded in Seattle at Reciprocal Studio (now Hall of Justice), where it was produced by studio founder and foundational grunge producer Jack Endino. Nine of the 11 tracks on the album were written by singer and guitarist Kat Bjelland; one was co-written by Bjelland and drummer Lori Barbero; and one track, “Dogg,” was written (and sung by) Barbero. Spanking Machine (its name derives from an imagined device in a 1959 episode of the TV series Leave It To Beaver) earned the esteem of the band Sonic Youth, who subsequently invited Babes in Toyland to support them on a European tour. Soon, Babes in Toyland gained the attention of highly influential BBC DJ John Peel, who named Spanking Machine his favorite album of 1990. Spanking Machine features the singles “Dust Cake Boy” and “He’s My Thing.” In 2019, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Spanking Machine No. 27 in its list of the 50 Greatest Grunge albums.

Also, Today In:

1944 - On shore leave from the Merchant Marines, Woody Guthrie arrived at Folkway Records' studios in New York City, where he started recording with the label's founder, Moses Asch, in what became known as the "Asch recordings." Among the songs recorded during these sessions was "This Land Is Your Land," which became an iconic populist protest anthem, since covered by artists including Pete Seeger, Billy Bragg and Bruce Springsteen.

1956 - Buddy Holly's first single "Blue Days, Black Nights", was released. The track was later featured on That'll Be The Day, the third album from Buddy Holly.

1969 - "The Israelites" by Desmond Dekker became the first single by a Jamaican artist to be a bona fide hit in the U.K. and later in the U.S. The song was a success despite Dekker's strong Jamaican accent, which made his lyrics difficult to understand for audiences outside Jamaica. The opening line, "Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir" was often misheard, with one common example being, "Wake up in the morning, baked beans for breakfast."

1970 - The Led Zeppelin single "Whole Lotta Love" was certified Gold in the U.S. after selling more than 1 million copies. It peaked at No. 4 in the U.S. singles charts.

1972 - In Cannes, France, the Rolling Stones informally celebrated the launch of their label, Rolling Stones Records.

1977 - Stevie Wonder made the soul chart with "Sir Duke," a tune that would ultimately achieve No. 1 status. The song is a tribute to Duke Ellington and includes an unforgettable horn-section intro.

1977 - David Soul, one-half of the TV cop duo on Starsky & Hutch, went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Don't Give Up On Us," his only hit in the States.

1991 - Temple of the Dog released their self-titled debut studio album, Temple of the Dog. It features the singles "Hunger Strike" and "Say Hello 2 Heaven."

1993 - Paul McCartney headlined a concert at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate Earth Day along with Ringo Starr, Don Henley and Steve Miller. McCartney had last performed there as a member of the Beatles in 1965.

1996 - Rage Against the Machine released their second studio album, Evil Empire. It features the singles "Bulls on Parade," "People of the Sun," and "Down Rodeo."

1996 - Modest Mouse released their debut studio album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About. It features the singles "Breakthrough" and "Talking S**t About a Pretty Sunset."

1996 - Local H released their second studio album, As Good as Dead. It features the singles "Bound for the Floor," "High-Fiving MF," and "Eddie Vedder."

1996 - Kiss appeared in full makeup at the 38th Grammy Awards, where they announced a reunion tour. It would mark the first time all four original members had appeared together in more than 15 years.

1999 - Skip Spence, an original member of Jefferson Airplane and founding member of Moby Grape, died of lung cancer in a San Francisco hospital at age 52. He had battled schizophrenia and alcoholism.

2001 - Janet Jackson released her seventh studio album, All for You. It features the singles "All for You," "Someone to Call My Lover," and "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)."

2002 - Sheryl Crow released her fourth studio album, C’mon, C’mon. It features the singles "Soak Up the Sun," "Steve McQueen," and "C’mon, C’mon."

2003 - Luther Vandross suffered a stroke that left him confined to a wheelchair. The singer died two years later.

2013 - Iron & Wine released their fifth studio album, Ghost on Ghost. It features the singles "Lovers’ Revolution" and "Grace for Saints and Ramblers."

2013 - Major Lazer released their second studio album, Free the Universe. It features the singles "Get Free," "Jah No Partial," "Watch Out for This (Bumaye)," and "Bubble Butt."

2021 - Greta Van Fleet released their second studio album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate. It features the singles "My Way, Soon," "Age of Machine," "Heat Above," and "Broken Bells."

2021 - The Armed released their fourth studio album, Ultrapop. It features the singles "All Futures," "Staggered Fidelity," and "Average Death."

Birthdays:

Composer Henry Mancini was born on this day in 1924. Mancini is best known for his iconic film scores, which include such well-known numbers as "The Pink Panther Theme," the "Peter Gunn Theme," and "Moon River."

R&B singer Roy Hamilton, who enjoyed a No. 1 hit in 1954 with “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and another No. 1 in 1955 with “Unchained Melody,” was born today in 1929.

Ed Townsend, singer/writer of “For Your Love” and co-writer of “Let’s Get It On,” was born today in 1929.

Robert Stigwood — manager for Cream and the Bee Gees — was born today in 1934.

Bobby Vinton is 91.

Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien, also known as Dusty Springfield, was born today in 1939. International polls have named Springfield among the best female rock artists of all time, and she is a member of the Rock and Roll and U.K. Music Halls of Fame. With a career that extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s, she had six top 20 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and sixteen on the U.K. Singles Chart including "What Have I Done To Deserve This?", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", "Wishin' And Hopin'", and "Son-Of-A Preacher Man". Springfield passed away from breast cancer in 1999 at age 59.

Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty, whose hits include “Stuck in the Middle With You,” “Baker Street,” and “Right Down the Line,” was born today in 1947.

Squeeze bassist John Bentley is 75.

Midnight Oil lead singer and Member of the Australian House of Representatives Peter Garrett is 73.

Paul Buchanan of The Blue Nile is 70.

Jason Scheff of the band Chicago is 64.

Little Jimmy Osmond is 63.

Dave Pirner, frontman for Soul Asylum, was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 16, 1964, making him 62. After graduating from Minneapolis West High School in 1982, Pirner launched a punk band called Loud Fast Rules. In 1983, they changed their name to Soul Asylum. Today, Pirner is the lone remaining original member. Over four decades, they’ve released 12 studio albums, including the megahit Grave Dancers Union in 1992.

Selena was born today in 1971.

Akon is 53.

Chance the Rapper is 33. Born Chancelor Bennett and raised in Chicago, Chance aspired to be a hip-hop artist from a young age. In 2017, Chance made history when he became the first artist to win a Grammy for a streaming-only mixtape; in fact, he won three Grammys that year: Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album for his now-iconic Coloring Book. Chance made history again in January 2025 when the Recording Industry Association of America gave Diamond certification to “I’m the One,” his 2017 collaboration with DJ Khaled, Quavo, Justin Bieber, and Lil Wayne. This honor signifies more than 10 million sales and stream equivalents in the U.S., making Chance the Rapper the first independent solo act to achieve this milestone. Beyond music, Chance has established himself as an all-round entertainer, with acting and hosting credits, including acclaimed performances on Saturday Night Live. Chance the Rapper is also an activist whose nonprofit organization SocialWorks has contributed more than $10 million to Chicago area schools and students.

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