History Spotlight:

Today in 2006, Syd Barrett died from complications arising from diabetes at age 60. The singer, songwriter and guitarist was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, and active as a rock musician for only about seven years before he went into seclusion. After leaving music, Barrett continued with painting and dedicated himself to gardening. Pink Floyd wrote and recorded several tributes to him, most notably the 1975 album Wish You Were Here, which included "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", as an homage to Barrett.

Also, Today In:

1962 - David Rose and his Orchestra went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "The Stripper."

1967 - The Monkees begin a U.S. tour with Jimi Hendrix opening.

1968 - Three years after Eric Clapton's departure and eight months after Jeff Beck left the band, The Yardbirds disbanded, guitarist Jimmy Page put together a new lineup to fulfill some contractually obligated concerts and began referring to the group as The New Yardbirds. The Who's drummer Keith Moon was dubious about the band's prospects, and he jokingly suggested that they change their name to "Led Zeppelin," as in, "They'll go over like a lead balloon." The New Yardbirds — Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones — soon did change their name to Led Zeppelin.

1969 - George Harrison recorded his new song "Here Comes the Sun" with just two other Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, at Abbey Road in London. John Lennon was absent recovering from a car crash in Scotland.

1973 - Billy Preston started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Will It Go Round In Circles."

1975 - Keith Richards was charged with possession of a weapon and reckless driving in Arkansas. Hundreds of teenage girls gathered outside the jail where he was being detained and raised a ruckus.

1980 - The original Led Zeppelin lineup performed its final show.

1984 - Bruce Springsteen went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Born In The USA. The album went on to spend a total of 139 weeks on the U.S. chart. Its also one of three albums (Michael Jackson's Thriller and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814) to produce seven top-ten U.S. singles.

1984 - Prince started a five-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "When Doves Cry," his first U.S. No.1, which went on to sell over 2 million copies.

1989 - It was announced that for the first time compact discs were out selling vinyl albums.

2009 - Michael Jackson's funeral was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Most TV networks covered the event, where Kobe Bryant, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Stevie Wonder all participated.

Birthdays:

Ringo Starr is 76 today.

David Hodo (the construction worker in The Village People) is 69.

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