History Highlight:

Keith Richards, born December 18, 1943, turns 75 today. Best-known as a guitarist and founding member of the Rolling Stones, he is often at the top of "Best guitar player" lists, and played all of the studio guitar parts on Stones songs such as "Paint It Black", "Ruby Tuesday", "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Gimme Shelter". He also sang backing vocals on every Stones album, and occasional lead vocals, and bass, keyboards and percussion on select tracks. For more on Keith, check out Jim McGuinn's 2015 interview with him on the release of his first album in 23 years as a solo artist.

Also, in:

1961 - The Tokens started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". It was adapted and covered internationally by many 1950s pop and folk revival artists, including the Weavers, Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, Miriam Makeba and the Kingston Trio. It went on to earn at least $15 million in royalties from cover versions and film licensing. REM included a live version of the song on the 1993 Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight single.

1971 - Sly and the Family Stone went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with "There's A Riot Goin' On".

1972 - The Ringo Starr-directed T. Rex documentary Born to Boogie premiered at Oscar's Cinema in Brewer Street, Soho (U.K.). In attendance are Starr, the members of T. Rex, and Elton John.

1982 - Hall and Oates started a four week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Maneater", the duo's 5th U.S. No. 1.

1993 - Take That had their third U.K. No. 1 single with the Gary Barlow penned song "Babe".

2003 - James Brown and country music star Loretta Lynn were honored for their contributions to U.S. culture. The pair were invited to a gala attended by President George Bush at the Kennedy Arts Center in Washington.

2004 - A guitar played by George Harrison and John Lennon sold for $570,000 at an auction in New York. The Gibson SG guitar was used by Harrison from 1966 to 1969, including the recording of Revolver, and by Lennon during The White Album sessions. Other items sold in the Christie's auction included a letter by Kurt Cobain ($19,400), and a school book report by Britney Spears ($1,200).

2011 - Ralph MacDonald, percussionist and songwriter who composed the hit duets "Where Is the Love" (Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway) and "Just The Two Of Us" (Bill Withers/Grover Washington Jr.), died of lung cancer at age 67.

2014 - Larry Henley (lead singer of the '60s pop group The Newbeats) died at age 77 after suffering with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. He co-wrote the 1989 hit "The Wind Beneath My Wings."

Birthdays:

The Animals bassist Chas Chandler was born today in 1938.

Elliot Easton of The Cars is 65.

DMX is 48.

Sia is 43.

Christina Aguilera is 38.

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