Today in rock history: On this date in 1963, California pop group The Beach Boys released its popular hit single, "Surfer Girl." The single was significant in that it was the very first song that the band's chief lyricist and vocalist Brian Wilson ever wrote. Additionally, "Surfer Girl" was the first song Wilson would ever produce as well which, no doubt, inspired all the brilliant production work he'd pull off in later years as the band continued to rise in popularity. The single peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's pop singles charts, and it's flip side was a hit as well. "Little Deuce Coupe," the b-side of the "Surfer Girl" single, rose to No. 15 on Billboard's singles chart and became a bona fide hot rod anthem and one of the band's most beloved and recognizable songs. WIlson will play a show at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on for November 10.

INTERVIEW
Brian Wilson talks to CL about how Pet Sounds still inspires him, seeing auras, more

Today in rock history: On this date in 1985, although she'd already broken out and made a huge splash in America, Madonna scored her very first No. 1 hit single in England. "Into The Groove," a song that played a predominant role in Madonna's 1985 film with Rosanna Arquette, Desperately Seeking Susan, rose all the way to the top spot in the U.K. and helped make the controversial and sexy pop star well known in Britain. The single went on to become one of the best-selling singles Madonna would ever release in England and sold in excess of 800,000 copies in that country alone.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1926, Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born in New York, New York. More recognized by his stage name, Tony Bennett, the legendary crooner has enjoyed one of the most successful and memorable careers in music history. Starting out as a young singer in the early 1950s, this World War II veteran scored a pile of hit singles like "Because of You," "Rags to Riches" and, most notably, his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Loved and admired by artists and fans of all ages, Bennett has performed and recorded with artists as diverse as the late Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga and k.d. Lang. An accomplished painter and artist, this American treasure and Grammy winner celebrates his 92nd birthday today and continues to stay musically active by touring and recording to this date. Read our review of his 2016 St. Petersburg set here.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1973, the great Stevie Wonder released what many feel is his best and strongest album, the stunning Innervisions. Wonder played all instruments on six of the album's nine songs and made this, his 16th overall album, one of his most successful releases to date. The topical and socially relevant album rose to No. 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart and made it to No. 4 on the publication's pop chart. Singles from this masterful album include "Higher Ground" (which was later a hit when covered by California funk-rock band, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and "Living For the City," one of Wonder's most poignant and hard-hitting compositions. A platinum-selling album, the release came at a time when Wonder was on a hot streak and in the midst of releasing an absolutely jaw-dropping run of albums that rank among the best pop albums ever released by any artist.