Today in 1958, Alan Freed joined WABC radio in New York, one of the great 50,000-watt rock stations of the AM era.

Birthdays include Captain Beefheart, known to his parents as Del Simmons:

Charles Miller, flutist and saxophonist for War:

One of Gladys Knight’s Pips, William Guest:

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts:

Marvin Hamlisch, who composed the theme music for one of the best movies of all time:

Antoine “Chubby” Tavares of Tavares …

… was born a year before Steve Brookins of .38 Special:

Michael Steele of the Bangles …

… was born a year before Van Halen’s Michael Anthony: