History Highlight:

On this day in 1981, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac released her solo debut album, Bella Donna. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Bella Donna proved quite a successful effort for Nicks, who wrote all but one song on the album. The song that Nicks didn’t write, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” was composed by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Iovine suggested Stevie Nicks record a version of the song with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as the studio band (one key exception is that bassist Ron Blair was replaced by Stax bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn). “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” spent three weeks at its peak position of No. 3 in the Billboard singles chart, and it was one of four songs off Bella Donna to be charting hits, the others being "Edge of Seventeen"; the country-tinged "After the Glitter Fades”; and Nicks’ duet with Don Henley, "Leather and Lace.”

History Highlight:

1958 - Fans of rock 'n' roll music were warned that listening to music on the car radio could cost them more money. Researchers from the Esso (formerly Standard Oil, later Exxon) petroleum company said the rhythm of rock music could cause drivers to be foot-heavy on the pedal, making them waste fuel.

1968 - Cass Elliot released her first solo single following the breakup of The Mamas and Papas. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" had been around since 1931 and had been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, and many others. Cass's version would be the most successful when it peaked at No. 12 on the U.S. chart.

1973 - The New York Dolls released their self-titled debut, considered by many to be one of the most influential debut albums in rock music history. It includes songs like "Personality Crisis," "Looking for a Kiss," and "Trash.” The album, one of two by the short-lived original lineup, helped lay the foundation for the punk rock movement of the 1970s, along with bands like the Velvet Underground and the Stooges.

1974 - John Denver started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Annie's Song," the singer's second U.S. No. 1. The song was a tribute to Denver's Minnesota-born wife, Annie Martell, and was written in 10 minutes while he was on a ski lift.

1974 - Lynyrd Skynyrd released "Sweet Home Alabama."

1976 - After a four-year legal fight, John Lennon was awarded his so-called green card, allowing him permanent residence in the U.S.

1976 - Later depicted in the movie What's Love Got to Do with It, Tina Turner filed for divorce from her husband, Ike Turner.

1979 - AC/DC released their sixth studio album, Highway to Hell. It features the title track and “Girls Got Rhythm.”

1979 - John Cougar (Mellencamp) released his third studio album, John Cougar. It features “I Need a Lover.”

1981 - Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry released her first solo album, KooKoo. Its highest charting single was "Backfired," which hit No. 43 in the U.S., but the album still sold over 500,000 copies.

1983 - Madonna released her self-titled debut studio album. It features “Holiday,” “Lucky Star,” and “Borderline.”

1983 - Neil Young released his 14th studio album, Everybody’s Rockin’. It features a collection of rockabilly songs, both covers and originals.

1984 - Purple Rain, starring Prince in his acting debut, was released. It grossed more than $68 million in the United States and over $80 million worldwide and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

1984 - Metallica released their second album, Ride the Lightning, via Megaforce Records. It was reissued a short time later when they signed to Elektra Records.

1985 - Paul Young went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with his version of the Daryl Hall song, "Every Time You Go Away."

1987 - 10,000 Maniacs released their third studio album, In My Tribe. It features “What’s the Matter Here.”

1987 - Rick Astley's first single, "Never Gonna Give You Up," was released in America. It climbed to No. 1 in March 1988, and in 2008 it became the basis for the Rickrolling trend.

1990 - Bobby Day died of cancer at age 60. Born Robert James Byrd in 1930, he is best known for his hit record, "Rockin' Robin." He recorded under numerous other names such as The Jets, The Voices, The Sounds, The Crescendos, and he was the original "Bob" in the duo Bob & Earl with singer Earl Nelson.

1990 - Jellyfish released their debut studio album, Bellybutton. It features the singles "The King Is Half-Undressed," "That Is Why," "Baby’s Coming Back," and "I Wanna Stay Home."

1991 - Bryan Adams started a seven-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “(Everything I Do), I Do It For You"; meanwhile, Jesus Jones rested at No. 2 with "Right Here, Right Now," unable to shift Bryan Adams from the No. 1 position.

1992 - Morrissey released his third studio album, Your Arsenal. It features "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" and “Glamorous Glue.”

1993 - UB40 released their 10th studio album, Promises and Lies. It features UB40’s cover of "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You."

1993 - Smashing Pumpkins released their second studio album, Siamese Dream, in the U.S. It features "Cherub Rock," "Today," "Disarm," "Rocket," and "Mayonaise."

1996 - "Wannabe" hit No. 1 in the U.K., making the Spice Girls the first all-female group to top the chart with their debut single.

1997 - The Men in Black soundtrack album started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart.

2006 - The company behind file-sharing service Kazaa agreed to pay record labels over $115 million in damages for piracy.

2007 - The Simpsons Movie debuted. Early in the film, Green Day sank into Lake Springfield.

2013 - At Gillette Stadium in Boston, Taylor Swift brought out Carly Simon to sing with her on "You're So Vain," which, like many of Swift's hits, takes aim at a famous ex. Swift claimed that backstage after the show, Simon whispered in her ear the identity of the man she was singing about in "You’re So Vain."

Birthdays:

Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows and later a producer for Marvin Gaye was born today in 1929.

Andy White was born today in 1930. He was affectionately christened 'the fifth Beatle' as he was best known for replacing Ringo Starr on drums on The Beatles' first single, 'Love Me Do'. He passed away in 2015.

Nick Reynolds of the Kingston Trio was born today in 1933.

Singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry, best known for her 1967 hit, "Ode to Billie Joe," is 84.

Singer Maureen McGovern, best known for her renditions of the songs “The Morning After,” “Different Worlds” and “We May Never Love Like This Again,” is 77.

Rock drummer Bobby Rondinelli — who worked with Blue Öyster Cult, Rainbow, Quiet Riot, Black Sabbath, and others — is 71.

Conway Savage of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds was born today in 1960.

Soul Asylum bassist Karl Mueller was born in Minneapolis today in 1962.

Pantera bassist Rex Brown is 62.

Juliana Hatfield is 59.

Maya Rudolph is 54.

Pete Yorn is 52.

Fred Mascherino of Taking Back Sunday is 51.

Cheyenne Kimball is 36.

Tory Lanez is 34.

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