History Highlight:

Today in 2008, singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes died at his home in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 65, due to a stroke. Hayes was one of the creative forces behind the Southern soul-music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a session musician and record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the mid-1960s on several projects. The hit song "Soul Man," written by Hayes and Porter and first performed by Sam & Dave, has been recognized as one of the most influential songs of the past 50 years by the Grammy Hall of Fame. Hayes is well-known for his musical score for the film Shaft, and his hit song, the "Theme from Shaft", won Hayes the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1972. Later in his career, Hayes also became known as the voice of Chef from the hit cartoon show, South Park. 

Also, Today In: 

1963 - Thirteen-year-old Little Stevie Wonder started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Fingertips part II," making him the youngest singer to top the charts. 

1969 - During a North American tour, Led Zeppelin appeared at the San Diego Sports Arena. Jethro Tull were the support act. 

1974 - John Denver went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Back Home Again. 

1974 - Roberta Flack went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Feel Like Makin' Love," her third U.S. No. 1. 

1976 - Elton John begins a historic record-breaking ten-night run of concerts at New York City's Madison Square Garden. 

1984 - Red Hot Chili Peppers release their self-titled debut album, an arduous collaboration with producer Andy Gill of the British rock band Gang of Four. 

1985 - Canadian singer and guitarist Bryan Adams scored his first U.S. No.1 album with Reckless. 

1985 - Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran was air-lifted to safety when his boat, Drum, overturned while racing off the English coast. Le Bon was trapped under the hull with five other crew members for 20 minutes until they were all rescued by the Royal Navy. 

1997 - Puff Daddy & the Family went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with No Way Out. 

2005 - Mariah Carey had the U.S. No. 1 single with "We Belong Together." 

2007 - Laura Marling shares the stage with other Indie artists like Crystal Castles and Mystery Jets at the first-ever Underage Festival in Victoria Park, London. The festival, which grew out of a series of club nights in the Elephant and Castle district of South London, is open only to 13-17 year olds. At 17, Marling fits right in. 

2012 - Insane Clown Posse takes exception to the FBI naming their fans, collectively known as "Juggalos," as a criminal gang in the FBI's "2011 National Gang Threat Assessment Report." At the annual Gathering of the Juggalos event in Illinois, they announced intentions to sue the FBI. Despite this, the FBI continues to list Juggalos as an organized gang in later years. 

2013 - Jody Payne (guitarist for Willie Nelson's band, The Family) dies of cardiac problems at age 77. 

2016 - Ed Sheeran was being sued in America over claims that his track 'Thinking Out Loud' rips off a Marvin Gaye song. 

Birthdays: 

Clarence Leonidas 'Leo' Fender, inventor and founder of the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company, was born today in 1909. He was 81 years old when he passed away in 1991. 

Al Alberts, member of the Four Aces (“Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing”), was born today in 1922.

Jimmy Martin, known as “King of Bluegrass,” was born today in 1927.

Jimmy Dean (“Big Bad John”) was born today in 1928.

Eddie Fisher (“Wish You Were Here,” “I’m Walking Behind You”) was born today in 1928.

Bobby Hatfield of The Righteous Brothers was born today in 1940. He passed away in 2003. 

James Griffin of Bread was born today in 1943. He passed away in 2005. 

Veronica Yvette Bennett, also known as Ronnie Spector, was born today in 1943. Spector was the lead singer of the Ronettes, which had a bunch of hits during the early to mid-1960s including "Be My Baby", "Baby, I Love You", "The Best Part of Breakin' Up", "Do I Love You?", and "Walking in the Rain". Spector passed away in January of 2022. 

Ian Anderson, frontman of Jethro Tull, is 77.

Patti Austin (“Baby, Come to Me” with James Ingram) is 74.

Mark Price — drummer for Nick Kershaw and Del Amitri — is 65.

INXS drummer Jon Farriss is 63.

Aaron Hall of Guy is 60.

Todd Nichols of Toad the Wet Sprocket is 57. 

Michael Bivins of Bel Biv Devoe is 56. 

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