History Highlight:

Born Dec. 18, 1943, the Rolling Stones’ founding member, co-principal songwriter, and guitarist Keith Richards is 81 today. Alongside Mick Jagger, a friend he first met in primary school, Richards has been the architect of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s signature groups for the past six decades. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and is frequently named among the best guitarists of all time. He reportedly owns more than 3,000 guitars, and often plays Fender Telecasters and Gibson Les Pauls. He nicknamed a frequently used 1953 butterscotch Telecaster “Micawber” after a character in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. This is the guitar he commonly uses to perform “Honky Tonk Women.” As a songwriting team, Richards and Jagger are responsible for eight No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and the Rolling Stones have sold more than 200 million records worldwide.

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. R.E.M. 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.

1990 - EPMD released their thrid album, Business as Usual. It features “Gold Digger,” “Rampage,” and “Give the People.”

1990 - C+C Music Factory released their debut album, Gonna Make You Sweat. It features "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)," "Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)," and "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..."

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."

2015 - Cage the Elephant released their fourth studio album, Tell Me I’m Pretty. It features “Mess Around,” “Trouble,” and “Cold Cold Cold.”

2000 - Paul McCartney released his 18th solo studio album, McCartney III. It features “Find My Way.”

Birthdays:

Betty Grable was born today in 1916.

Allen Klein — founder of ABKCO Records and manager of Sam Cooke, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones — was born today in 1931.

Blues musician Lonnie Brooks was born today in 1933.

The Animals bassist Chas Chandler was born today in 1938.

Joel Hirschhorn — Oscar-winning songwriter who penned music for The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno, and Pete’s Dragon with songwriting partner Al Kasha — was born today in 1937.

Sam Andrew of Big Brother and the Holding Company was born today in 1941.

Wadada Smith, trumpet player, is 83.

Bobby Keys — saxophonist for the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Harry Nilsson, and many more — was born today in 1943.

Bill Nelson of Be-Bop Deluxe is 76.

Randy Castillo, drummer for Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe, was born today in 1950.

John Leventhal — producer for the Blind Boys of Alabama, William Bell, Roseanne Cash, Sarah Jarosz, Shawn Colvin, and many others — is 72.

Elliot Easton of The Cars is 71.

Geordie Walker of Killing Joke was born today in 1958.

Naoko Yamano, frontwoman of Shonen Knife, is 64.

Leila Steinberg — manager for Tupac Shakur and Earl Sweatshirt — is 63.

Angie Stone is 63.

Alejandro Sanz is 56.

DMX was born today in 1970.

DJ Lethal of House of Pain and Limp Bizkit is 52.

Sia is 49.

Randy Houser is 49.

Axwell of Swedish House Mafia is 47.

Christina Aguilera is 44.

Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell (best known as Billie Eilish) was born on this day in 2001, making her 23 today. Both her debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, and her 2021 album, Happier Than Ever, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She has already won seven Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, two Guinness World Records, three MTV Video Music Awards, and three Brit Awards. Her single “What Was I Made For?” is featured on Barbie the Album.

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