Birthday highlight:

Daniel Dodd "Dan" Wilson was born today in 1961, making him 63 today. Wilson has been a prominent member of the Minneapolis music community since the early 1980s, when he got his start playing in college bands like the Love Monsters and Animal Dance. He gained recognition on the indie scene playing in Trip Shakespeare with his brother Matt Wilson, with whom he still collaborates to this day, and bassist John Munson, who has also continued to work with both brothers throughout the years. His songwriting resume includes "Closing Time," which he wrote for his band Semisonic, "Not Ready to Make Nice" (co-written with the Chicks) and "Someone like You" (co-written with Adele), among so many more mega-hits. Semisonic released their latest album, Little Bit of Sun, in 2023, and will perform at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair at the Leinie Lodge free stage on Sept. 1-2.

Also, today in:

1954 - A single that proved to be a turning point in popular music, "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley & The Comets, was released.

1964 - Rudy Lewis of the Drifters died at age 28 under mysterious circumstances the night before the group was set to record "Under the Boardwalk." Former Drifters backup singer Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording session.

1967 - The Young Rascals started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Groovin’."

1977 - The Jam released their debut album In the City, which features the band's debut single and title track "In the City.”

1978 - Paul McCartney went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "With A Little Luck," his sixth solo U.S. No. 1.

1997 - Foo Fighters released their second album, The Colour And The Shape.

1998 - Frank Sinatra's funeral was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, Calif. Among those paying their respects were Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

2003 - Soul singer James Brown was pardoned for his past crimes in South Carolina.

2006 - Heavy metal monsters Lordi became Finland's first-ever Eurovision Song Contest winners after their song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" won in Athens.

2008 - Congress passed a resolution designating May 13 as Frank Sinatra Day to honor Sinatra's contributions to American culture.

2012 - Robin Gibb, one-third of the Bee Gees and a singer-songwriter who helped to turn disco into a global phenomenon by providing the core of the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, died from cancer at age 62.

2013 - Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founder member of the Doors, died at age 74.

2015 - The Rolling Stones played a surprise gig at the 1,300-capacity Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, during which they performed the entire Sticky Fingers album. The audience included Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, Harry Styles, Leonard Cohen and Patricia Arquette.

2017 - At the Palladium in London, the Cranberries played their last show with lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, whose health issues caused cancellation of the remaining dates. She died on January 15, 2018.

Birthdays:

Motown soul singer Shorty Long was born today in 1940.

Joe Cocker was born today in 1944.

Cher is 78.

Steve Currie, T. Rex bassist, was born today in 1947.

Steve George of Mr. Mister is 69.

Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's is 66.

Susan Cowsill of the Cowsills and Continental Drifters is 65.

Nick Heyward is 63.

Patti Russo of Meat Loaf is 60.

Busta Rhymes is 52.

Rachel Platten is 43.

Jake Luppen of Hippo Campus is 29.

Rosa Linn is 24.

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