History Highlight:

Today in 1944, Neil James Innes was born. Innes is an English writer, comedian and musician, best known for his collaborative work with Monty Python, and for playing in the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and later The Rutles. After the Bonzo Dog Band broke up, Innes and former Dog Band bassist Dennis Cowan, along with drummer Ian Wallace and guitarist Roger McKew formed the band The World, with aimed for more commercial success while still retaining some Doo-Dah flavour and humor. Unfortunately for them, by the time their sole album Lucky Planet was released in 1970, the members had already disbanded and were moving on to other projects.

Also, in:

1966 - Cream released their debut studio album Fresh Cream in the U.K. The three piece of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker also released their second single "I Feel Free" on the same day.

1972 - Neil Diamond released the live double album Hot August Night, from a concert on August 24, 1972, which was one of ten sold out concerts that Diamond performed that month at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The album peaked at No. 5 on the U.S. chart and spent 29 weeks at No. 1 on the Australian chart.

1978 - Chic started a seven-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Le Freak". The single achieved sales of seven million and also scored number seven in the U.K. singles chart. In the song, the lyrics invite the listener to "Come on down to the 54", which is a reference to Studio 54 – a popular nightclub at that time. According to guitarist Nile Rodgers, the song was devised during New Year's Eve of 1977, as a result of his and bassist Bernard Edwards' being refused entrance to Studio 54.

1988 - A poll was published with the curious finding that the music of Neil Diamond was favored as the best background music for sex. Beethoven was the second choice, and Luther Vandross was voted third.

1989 - Billy Joel started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "We Didn't Start The Fire".

1990 - Paula Abdul was taken to North Hollywood Medical Center after being involved in a car crash in Los Angeles.

1992 - George Harrison was the recipient of the first Century Award, presented by Tom Petty at the third Billboard Music Awards in Universal City, CA.

1995 - Darren Robinson, founder member of The Fat Boys died of a heart attack, weighing 450 pounds at the time of his death. He was also known as Buffy, The Human Beat Box and DJ Doctor Nice.

2000 - U2 made their first-ever appearance on Saturday Night Live. The band played "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation."

2005 - Joss Stone, Lemar and Ms. Dynamite backed by the African Children's Choir and 1,200 school children set a new world record for the most children singing simultaneously. The "Big Sing" was held at The Royal Albert Hall, London. The singers led a performance of "Lean On Me" which was broadcast to more than half a million people.

2006 - Mariah Carey threatened legal action against porn star Mary Carey in an attempt to stop her trademarking her similar-sounding stage name. The singer believed fans could get the two performers confused if the adult film actress Mary Carey's trademark application was successful.

Birthdays:

John Traynor of Jay and the Americans ("This Magic Moment") was born today in 1943.

Walter "Clyde" Orange, drummer and vocalist for The Commodores ("Three Times A Lady") is 70.

Alice Cooper Band bassist Dennis Dunaway who co-wrote "I'm Eighteen" and "School's Out" is 70.

Donny Osmond is 59.

Brian Bell of Weezer is 48.

Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers is 47.

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