History Highlight:
On this day in 1980, "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow becomes the first rap single certified Gold. The song was released as a single in June of 1980, and it went on to sell more than half a million copies, earning it the gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was also only the second 12-inch single to achieve gold certification, following “Enough is Enough” by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand in 1979. “The Breaks” peaked at No. 87 in Billboard’s Hot 100, at No. 9 in the National Disco Top 100 (later the Dance Club Songs chart, which was discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and at No. 4 in Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, now known as the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was later included on Kurtis Blow’s self-titled debut album, released on Sept. 29, 1980, on Mercury Records.

Also, Today In:

1967 - The Beatles scored their 14th U.S. No. 1 single with "All You Need Is Love." Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Graham Nash, Marianne Faithfull, and Walker Brother Gary Leeds all sang backing vocals on the track.

1979 - American Rockabilly singer Dorsey Burnette died from a heart attack at his home in Canoga Park, California. He wrote 'It's Late', a hit for Ricky Nelson and Shakin' Stevens.

1988 - Patsy Cline's "Crazy" and Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" were announced as the most-played jukebox songs of the device's first 100 years. The jukebox had been around since 1906, but earlier models had been first seen in 1889.

1999 - Lauryn Hill won New Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year at the Source Hip Hop Music Awards in Los Angeles. R. Kelly won R&B Artist of The Year; DMX won Artist Of The Year and Solo and Live Performer Of The Year.

2001 - American soul singer Betty Everett died at age 61. She had the 1964 U.S. No. 6 single, "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)," later covered by Cher (which was used in the end credits of the movie Mermaids). She is also known for her duet "Let It Be Me" with Jerry Butler, in which Jerry sings "without your sweet love, Betty, what would life be?". Having lived with her sister all her life, Everett died at her home in Beloit, Wisconsin.

2005 - Phil Lynott, the founding member, principal songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist of the band Thin Lizzy, was honored when a statue of him was unveiled in Grafton Street in Dublin, the city where Lynott grew up. The statue-dedication ceremony was attended by Lynott's mother as well as former band members Gary Moore, Eric Bell, Brian Robertson, Brian Downey, Scott Gorham and Darren Wharton. Lynott had passed away 20 years earlier at his home in London. His grave in St Fintan's Cemetery in northeast Dublin is regularly visited by family, friends and fans.

2008 - Saxophonist LeRoi Moore, a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, died aged 46. Publicist Ambrosia Healy said he died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident in June on his Virginia farm.

2013 - Kate Bush requested fans did not take any photographs or video using mobile devices at her 22-date run of performances in London. Posting on her website, she wrote: "I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras." She repeated the request before a string of London dates in 2014.

2016 - Record producer Lou Pearlman died at age 62 from cardiac arrest. He was the manager of successful 1990s boy bands such as Backstreet Boys and NSYNC. In 2006, he was accused of running one of the largest and longest-running Ponzi schemes in history, leaving more than $300 million in debts. After being apprehended, he pled guilty to conspiracy, money laundering, and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding. In 2008, Pearlman was convicted and sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

2019 - Bassist Larry Taylor died at age 77. He was best-known as a member of Canned Heat from 1967. Before joining Canned Heat he had been a session bassist for The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis. He was the younger brother of Mel Taylor, long-time drummer of The Ventures.

Birthdays:

Ginger Baker, founder and drummer in Cream, was born on this day in 1939. Baker passed away in 2019.

Roger Cook (“I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”) is 84.

Johnny Nash (“I Can See Clearly Now”) was born on this day in 1940. He passed away in 2020.

Billy J. Kramer, of the Dakotas, is 81.

Eddy Raven is 80.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple is 79.

John Deacon was born, making him 73 years old today. He is best known for being the bassist for the rock band Queen. He composed several songs for the group, including Top 10 hits You're My Best Friend, Another One Bites the Dust, and I Want to Break Free; co-wrote Under Pressure, Friends Will Be Friends and One Vision, and he was involved in the band's financial management. He joined Queen in 1971 on the strength of his musical and electronic skills, particularly the homemade Deacy Amp which guitarist Brian May used to create guitar orchestras throughout Queen's career. As well as bass, Deacon played some guitar, keyboards and piano on Queen's studio work. After the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991 and the following year's Tribute Concert, Deacon performed only sporadically with the remaining members of Queen before retiring from the music industry in 1997.

Ivan Neville is 65.

Joey Tempest of Europe is 61.

Lee Ann Womack is 58.

Nate Dogg was born today in 1969. He passed away in 2011.

Clay Walker is 55.

Fat Joe is 54.

Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire is 48.

Michael Todd of Coheed and Cambria is 44.

Missy Higgins is 41.

Christina Perri is 38.

Lil' Romeo is 33.

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