The Monkees started their series; Michael Jackson started a run at the top of the charts; Johnny Cash died; and Ben Folds was born, Today in Music History.

Ahmet Ertegun began recording with Ray Charles; the Beatles needed no 'help' to the top of the album charts; the Jackson Five got their own cartoon on ABC; Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer' video nailed the MTV awards; and Mellencamp topped the charts, Today in Music History.

'Sweet Child O' Mine' hit No. 1; Rod Steward recorded his first single; the Beatles hit No. 1 with 'Revolver'; 'Maniac' was No. 1 in the singles charts; and Nirvana released a song that took the charts by storm, Today in Music History.

The Hollywood Reporter ran a choice advertisement; Elvis made his first appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'; Sam and Dave released 'Soul Man'; New Kids on the Block topped a couple of charts; Krist Novoselic had a mishap on MTV; Coolio had a No. 1 single; and John Lennon released 'Imagine,' Today in Music History.

The Cranberries' Dolores O'Riordan was born; Eric Clapton helped out The Beatles; James Brown retired; Fleetwood Mac hit to the top of the charts for the first time; and Joan Jett sang an important anthem, Today in Music History.

The Beatles topped the charts; RHCP picked a guitarist; R.E.M. swept the VMA's; and the one and only Freddie Mercury was born, Today in Music History.

Beyoncé was born; Elvis made his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry; the Beatles needed no 'help' reaching the top of the chart; 'Easy Rider' premiered in the U.S.; the Bee Gees reminded everyone they should be dancing, yeah; and DJ and producer Mark Ronson was born in London 40 years ago, Today in Music History.

Mitch Miller had a No. 1 single with a song written in 1853; Ringo returned to the Beatles after a little time off; Fats Domino was rescued from post-Katrina New Orleans; Donovan went to No. 1 with a song that became one of the first examples of psychedelia, and Naughty by Natures self-titled album was released on this day in 1991, Today in Music History.

The Doors recorded their first demos; Bjork slept through a house break-in; Kanye surprised Mike Myers on live national television; and the Rolling Stones recorded their cover of a Willie Dixon song, Today in Music History.

James Taylor covers Marvin Gaye; The Rolling Stones released 'Tattoo You' and KC and the Sunshine Band "get down", Rachael Price was born, and Kate Bush had eight albums on the U.K. charts, Today in Music History.