History highlight:

Today in 1994, Weezer released their self-titled debut (aka The Blue Album). The album produced three singles: "Undone - The Sweater Song," "Buddy Holly" and "Say It Ain't So," which brought Weezer mainstream success. The album debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and became certified triple-platinum, selling over 3 million copies in the U.S. Fun fact: While prepping for the studio sessions for this album, the band focused on their vocal interplay by practicing barbershop quartet-styled songs, which helped both Cuomo and Sharp achieve a newfound collaborative comfort during rehearsals.

Also, today in:

1964 - Bob Dylan arrived in the U.K. for his first major U.K. tour, which kicked off at London's Royal Albert Hall on May 17.

1969 - The Moody Blues topped the U.K. album chart for the first time with “On the Threshold of a Dream,” which spent two weeks on top.

1969 - The Turtles gave a special performance at the White House as guests of Tricia Nixon. Stories circulate concerning members of the group allegedly snorting cocaine off Abraham Lincoln's desk.

1970 - David Bowie received the Ivor Novello Award for Best Original Song for "Space Oddity.”

1984 - Twisted Sister released their third studio album Stay Hungry, which went on to become their most successful album, selling 3 million copies in the U.S.

1986 - Paul Simon played three songs from his upcoming Graceland album on Saturday Night Live. He was backed by South African musicians, including the vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who performed "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes" with him. With South Africa under a cultural boycott in an attempt to stop apartheid, its music was sequestered. Simon's appearance with musicians from the country and the subsequent album introduced the sound to a global audience, but also caused problems for Simon when he faced criticism for violating the boycott.

1986 - The Pet Shop Boys went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "West End Girls," the duo's first U.S. No. 1.

1994 - Sunny Day Real Estate released their critically acclaimed debut album, Diary, on Sub Pop.

1994 - Sonic Youth released their eighth studio album, Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star.

1994 - Indigo Girls released their fifth studio album, Swamp Ophelia.

1999 - Author and songwriter Shel Silverstein died at 66. Although he is primarily known for his cartoons, songs, and children's books, he also wrote Johnny Cash's 1969 hit "A Boy Named Sue" and a pair of 1972 hits for Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show: "Sylvia's Mother" and "Cover Of The Rolling Stone." He won two Grammys — one for "A Boy Named Sue" and one for Best Recording For Children for a "Where the Sidewalk Ends" recording on cassette.

1999 - Basement Jaxx released their debut album, Remedy.

2000 - Napster banned 317,377 users from the popular file sharing site for illegally sharing Metallica songs.

2003 - Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler received an honorary doctorate degree in music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

2004 - Keane released their debut album, Hopes and Fears. It features the single “Somewhere Only We Know.”

2005 - British soul and R&B singer Seal married celebrity model Heidi Klum.

2007 - A tribute concert to former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett took place at the Barbican Centre in London. The concert featured performances from Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Chrissie Hynde, John Paul Jones, Nick Mason and Rick Wright.

2010 - New York City's Apollo Theater began installing bronze plaques of show biz legends on the sidewalk outside the building. Among the first to be honored were James Brown, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and Ella Fitzgerald.

2018 - Scottish singer, songwriter, guitarist Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit was found dead near South Queensferry, Scotland.

2019 - The #FreeBritney movement gained traction as supporters gathered outside the Los Angeles courthouse where Britney Spears spoke to a judge about her conservatorship. At the time, Spears had been under a conservatorship — a legal maneuver typically used to protect the elderly or mentally incompetent — since 2008, with her father Jamie Spears as conservator.

2019 - Mac DeMarco released his fourth studio album, Here Comes the Cowboy. “Heart to Heart” became a TikTok hit in 2023.

2020 - British bass guitarist John McKenzie died. He was a member of bands Global Village Trucking Company and Man and played on numerous singles, notably for Eurythmics, the Pretenders and Alison Moyet. McKenzie was also a touring musician with Lionel Richie, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Peter Green and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

2020 - Soul singer Betty Wright died at the age of 66 in Miami, Florida.

Birthdays:

Dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, musician, and television presenter Fred Astaire was born today in 1899.

“Mother” Maybelle Carter was born today in 1909.

Larry Williams — influential singer of “Bony Moronie,” “Dizzy, Miss Lizzy” — was born today in 1935.

Donovan is 78.

Graham Gouldman of 10cc is 78.

Dave Mason of Traffic is 78.

Sly Dunbar, one half of legendary Jamaican production duo Sly & Robbie, is 72.

Sid Vicious, aka John Simon Ritchie, was born today in 1957.

Bono is 64.

Young MC (Marvin Young - single "Bust A Move") is 57.

Craig Mack was born today in 1970.

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