History Highlight:

Today in 1967, The Doors released their self-titled debut album The Doors. It features the breakthrough single "Light My Fire" and the lengthy song "The End" with its spoken word section. The Doors credit the success of the album to being able to work the songs out live at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood and the London Fog nightclub on the Sunset Strip. The original album has sold 20 million copies, and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Also, in:

1936 - Billboard Magazine introduced the first ever-pop music chart that ranked records on national sales; big band violinist Joe Venuti was the first No. 1.

1954 - Elvis Presley made his second visit to the Memphis recording service and cut two songs: "Casual Love Affair" and "I'll Never Stand In Your Way". Studio boss Sam Phillips asked Presley to leave his phone number.

1967 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience played the first of what would be over 240 gigs this year when they appeared at the Bromel Club in Bromley, London.

1969 - Jimi Hendrix was banned from the BBC after going off-script when he and his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, appeared on the show "Happening for Lulu", hosted by the "To Sir With Love" singer Lulu.

1973 - The Allman Brothers Band announced that Lamar Williams would replace the late Berry Oakley on bass.

1975 - Elton John started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with his version of The Beatles' "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". His third U.S. No. 1, the song featured John Lennon on guitar.

1986 - Thin Lizzy bassist and singer Phil Lynott died of heart failure and pneumonia in Wiltshire, U.K. He was 36 years old.

1991 - Nirvana signed with Geffen Records. In September of that year, their album Nevermind was released.

2004 - Britney Spears had her surprise marriage annulled less than 55 hours after tying the knot at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas with childhood friend Jason Alexander.

2006 - The house where Johnny Cash lived for 35 years was bought by Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb.

2008 - Beyonce won a long-running legal wrangle over claims her hit song "Baby Boy" infringed the copyright of musician Jennifer Armour.

2011 - Scottish singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty of Stealers Wheel passed away.

2016 - Australian-born music and film producer Robert Stigwood passed away at age 81. He was best known for managing Cream and the Bee Gees, theatrical productions like Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar and film productions including Grease and Saturday Night Fever.

Birthdays:

Soul singer Arthur Conley was born today in 1946.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. is 58.

Bernard Sumner of Joy Division is 62.

Wilco's Nels Cline is 62.

Beth Gibbons of Portishead is 53.

The Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan is 53.

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